http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/27983627/in... This is a specially satisfying moment for me, In all my hopes and dreams as an anthropologist that we learn to embrace our cultural heritage. Be human, be free or label yourself as YOU wish. It's what we call self-identification moving away from rigid assimilation.
Only in America do you have a legislated/political/cultural/capitalist raging racism, sanctioned by laws of the land. Most countries have prejudiced individuals but not institutionalized racism, that is uniquely American, and from what I can surmise after hearing candidate Ron Paul on removing all civil rights laws off the books, a loud and vocal minority of rebels still want to maintain an enslaved culture.
Obama's personal connection to Ireland is on his mother's side. It was discovered four years ago, when researchers traced Falmouth Kearney, his great-great-great grandfather, to the village of Moneygall in County Offaly. Kearney was a shoemaker's son who sailed to America in 1850.
Canon Stephen Neill found Kearney's family records at Templeharry Church, just outside Moneygall. He's been fielding questions about Falmouth's most famous descendent ever since.
"It's good fun, but it's pretty tiring," he says, chuckling.
Two months ago, on St. Patrick's Day, Obama announced his plans to visit Moneygall during this European trip. Neill says the village of 296 people has been tidying up in anticipation ever since.
US PRESIDENT BARACK Obama will arrive in Ireland this morning for a 24-hour visit that will include a trip to his ancestral home and a public rally in Dublin.
Air Force One will touch down at Dublin Airport this morning at around 9.30am carrying the US president and the First Lady Michelle Obama.
The 24-hour visit will see the president and his wife travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President Mary McAleese after which Obama will meet with Taoioseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore at Farmleigh.
At 3:15 he will be in Moneygall and at 5:30 he will make a speech in the tradition of the Irish-American presidents before him in Dublin at College Green.
This is a perfect segue into a discussion of what does an African American define? a brown skinned person,or/ and with certain features? Only persons who have an African ancestor? Are all Africans the same? How many generations does one have to be removed to be an American? What is an American? Please keep in mind Africa is a huge continent. Or does it augur the opposing societies that have grown side by side in a tumultuous dance?
Posted By: Marta Fernandez
Monday, May 23rd 2011 at 3:07AM
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