Slavery and Beyond

Swarns, Rachel L. and Jodi Kantor. “In First Lady’s Roots, a Complex Path From Slavery.” New York Times 7 October 2009

In this article, Swarns and Kantor reveal details about the ancestry line of Michelle Obama, starting with her great-great-great-grandmother Melvinia Shields, a slave in Southern Caroline. She had relationship with an unknown white man which was "consummated some two years before the Civil War" and "represents the origins of a family line that would extend from rural Georgia, to Birmingham, Ala., to Chicago and, finally, to the White House."

In class, we learned about the difficult process during the American Revolution, Civil War, and beyond in which black people fought against slavery and discrimination due to the color of their skin. They were raped, murdered, tortured, and oppressed in the fight for freedom to vote, holding office, owning land, and being paid for their work. It was remarkable that enough change passed through this once divided country to elect Michelle Obama's husband as President of the United States.

If they hadn't fought as hard as they did, who knows what situation Michelle Obama would be in today and whether she would have the freedom to be the first lady of the United States. It definitely shows how far America has come and the people, who fought for freedom, did not fight in vain. I can't help but think Shields and her offspring would be proud of their legacy and their role in history.