Comments on: You Don’t Want to Know the Relationship Between Anderson Cooper and Michelle Obama

By: Sara C - Fordham

Sara C - Fordham — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:07:34 +0000

I don't think the slave-ownership in and of itself is outrageous (that is, that the Vanderbilt family owned a slave plantation and Obama's ancestors were slaves–yes it's unfortunate, but like Jacks says, it wasn't as though it was intentional). What I think is more outrageous, and what I should have made clearer in my writing, is that the media is publishing such inane pieces. (Do I realize that by reproducing this story, I too am spreading the news? Yes, but the difference is that I am criticizing the media rather than criticizing Cooper and Obama.)

And thank you, Eve, for following up. I will correct the story.

By: Eve

Eve — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:20:26 +0000

The Mollygood item has been updated to note that Anderson's relations never owned the plantation during the slave era. It just came into their ownership later on, so they did not own Michelle's ancestor.

By: Jacks

Jacks — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:41:36 +0000

I don't get what's so outrageous. Note the

"great great's…" it's not like Anderson Cooper personally enslaved Michelle Obama. It might be a strange invitation, but I think it was one meant with warm regards.