Gothamist: Reverend Al Sharpton, Strom Thurmond Family Ties

Dave H.

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 13:23:19 -0500

Given that there were only 5.5 mn free people and 3.4 mn slaves in the South in 1860 and the incredible tenuousness of that connection (I believe it's nine degrees of separation), I would be surprised if some link could not be found between any two people whose roots extended back that far in our nation's history. Interesting nonetheless.

David Jacobs

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:41:05 -0500

"It's not like Strom Thurmond's ancestors owned Al Sharpton's. His ancestor's cousins owned Al Sharpton." ~Yeah, obviously no big deal.~ Come on man, clearly it's jarring for two peers to have that kind of history. 150 years is not that long!

pwned

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:30:41 -0500

But now Strom Thurmond got pwned.

Sam

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 10:24:49 -0500

After reading the article, the connection seems quite tenuous. Julia Stromond's grandfather was also an ancestor of Strom. It's not like Strom Thurmond's ancestors owned Al Sharpton's. His ancestor's cousins owned Al Sharpton.