So I just saw an article on msn.com about a descendant of some confederate leader, watching as a statue of that ancestor was torn down, and how he felt about it. For him, he described the statue as "just something kind of neat that he walked past, but didn't really worry too much about." but then, for obvious reasons due to recent events, things changed. I didn't read the full article, but his general opinion was he was glad the statue came down. But it did make me think about my own situation, and I was curious who else might be in a similar situation.
I am distantly related to John Hancock. Yes, that John Hancock. Not directly, but he had 2 brothers, and my family can trace their history back on my mother's side, back to one of his brothers. One of my earliest memories is going to Show and Tell at school with some family heirlooms, and having my mom explain the family crest and all that to the class. For me it's only ever been an interesting historical tidbit, that I frankly don't give a shit about. Though it was fun to use in an argument once, with some redneck fuck who tried to pull the "my ancestors have been in this country blah blah, so my views on politics are correct because ancestry!!" and I was like "***** please, my ancestor signed the Fuck You King!" letter to the British, and I think your full of shit, so don't give me that line about correctness from family line, because I got you beat." But other than that, it means nothing to me. I've never really looked into his family history much, because history isn't a subject I find very compelling, especially growing up in a region of the country where worship of history justifies a ton of bullshit racism and bigotry.
I assume plenty of them were probably slave owners, and plenty were racists, but I don't define my self worth based on comparing myself to them, so it doesn't matter to me. "What's that? You say an ancestor of mine was a major asshole? Ok, that's to be expected, people can often be assholes. I'm sure there are tons of assholes in your family too. What of it?" Is my usual stance on the matter. I don't really care if your history is dirty as shit, I care about what you are doing, and how you treat those around you.
So what about you? Any of you have someone of "historical significance/note" in your family tree? If so, how does it, if at all, impact your life, positive or negative?
I am distantly related to John Hancock. Yes, that John Hancock. Not directly, but he had 2 brothers, and my family can trace their history back on my mother's side, back to one of his brothers. One of my earliest memories is going to Show and Tell at school with some family heirlooms, and having my mom explain the family crest and all that to the class. For me it's only ever been an interesting historical tidbit, that I frankly don't give a shit about. Though it was fun to use in an argument once, with some redneck fuck who tried to pull the "my ancestors have been in this country blah blah, so my views on politics are correct because ancestry!!" and I was like "***** please, my ancestor signed the Fuck You King!" letter to the British, and I think your full of shit, so don't give me that line about correctness from family line, because I got you beat." But other than that, it means nothing to me. I've never really looked into his family history much, because history isn't a subject I find very compelling, especially growing up in a region of the country where worship of history justifies a ton of bullshit racism and bigotry.
I assume plenty of them were probably slave owners, and plenty were racists, but I don't define my self worth based on comparing myself to them, so it doesn't matter to me. "What's that? You say an ancestor of mine was a major asshole? Ok, that's to be expected, people can often be assholes. I'm sure there are tons of assholes in your family too. What of it?" Is my usual stance on the matter. I don't really care if your history is dirty as shit, I care about what you are doing, and how you treat those around you.
So what about you? Any of you have someone of "historical significance/note" in your family tree? If so, how does it, if at all, impact your life, positive or negative?
