Strom Thurmond / Essie Mae Washington-Williams / Al Sharpton-Thurmond?
Posted on 02/27/2007 12:50:02 PM PST by NormsRevenge
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The biracial daughter of the late Sen. Strom Thurmond defended the former segregationist on Tuesday and said the Rev. Al Sharpton "overreacted" when Sharpton learned he is a descendent of a slave owned by the senator's relatives.
"In spite of the fact he was a segregationist, he did many wonderful things for black people ... I'm not sure that Reverend Sharpton is aware of all the things he did," said Essie Mae Washington-Williams, who was in South Carolina for a speech. "I kind of feel that there was an overreaction."
Professional genealogists working for Ancestry.com found that Sharpton's great-grandfather Coleman Sharpton was a slave owned by Julia Thurmond, whose grandfather was Strom Thurmond's great-great-grandfather. Coleman Sharpton was later freed.
When Sharpton learned of the link, he said: "It was probably the most shocking thing in my life."
Thurmond, of South Carolina, was once considered an icon of racial segregation. During his 1948 bid for president, he promised to preserve segregation. In 1957, he filibustered for more than 24 hours against a civil rights bill.
Sharpton, who ran for president in 2004 on a ticket of racial justice, said he met Thurmond in 1991 with the late soul singer James Brown, who knew Thurmond. Sharpton said the meeting was "awkward."
"I was not happy to meet him because what he had done all his life," Sharpton said.
Thurmond, the nation's long-serving senator, was originally a Democrat but became a Republican in 1964. He softened his segregation stance later in his life and died in 2003, at 100.
Thurmond's children have acknowledged that Thurmond fathered a biracial daughter. Williams' mother was a housekeeper in the home of Thurmond's parents.
A telephone message left Tuesday at Strom Thurmond Jr.'s office was not immediately returned.
I betchya Al stays awake at night fearing that the Thurmond kids will show up one day to repossess him.
Obama is 'Halfrican-American'.
"Well it appears that the only difference is that Barack Obama's mother was white and Ms. Washington-Williams' was black, so I guess that must be the reason."
So being black is paternal, line.
Kinda like being a muslim, and the opposite of a Jew.
(yes, contining the sarcasm)
Strom Thurmond / Essie Mae Washington-Williams / Al Sharpton-Thurmond?
If Thurmond is a "former segregationist", why isn't Robert Byrd? Or Al Gore, Sr.?
You too can become a Reverend like Al:
Become ordained online now and receive your certificate by mail.
And I would not be happy to meet the Reverend Al because of what he has done all his life. OK? And I do not believe I am alone in holding this view.
Good thing she isn't a top ranking Republicrat senator she'd be tossed out of office as a racist for saying nice things about ole Strom.
This race hustler is hoping to pull a Jesse-style cash shakedown on the Thurmond family.
That's a good one, I'm going to use that for myself from now on.
"One never knows, do one?"
That's a good one.
If Al Sharpton found out he was related to the people killed at in the Freddie's Fashion Mart fire, then he should have a strong reaction.
What makes you think Robert Byrd is a "former"?
Excellent point!
He has long been regarded now as a "Civil Rights Activist" instead of the racist scum that he is. Total BS!
"I was not happy to meet him because what he had done all his life," Sharpton said.
&&
There are many who could say the same about you, as well, Mr. $harpton.
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