Whether you’re a supporter of the Obamas or not, this story in the New York Times is a fascinating and inspiring American tale: In First Lady’s Roots, a Complex Path From Slavery.

WASHINGTON — In 1850, the elderly master of a South Carolina estate took pen in hand and painstakingly divided up his possessions. Among the spinning wheels, scythes, tablecloths and cattle that he bequeathed to his far-flung heirs was a 6-year-old slave girl valued soon afterward at $475.

In his will, she is described simply as the “negro girl Melvinia.” After his death, she was torn away from the people and places she knew and shipped to Georgia. While she was still a teenager, a white man would father her first-born son under circumstances lost in the passage of time.

In the annals of American slavery, this painful story would be utterly unremarkable, save for one reason: This union, consummated some two years before the Civil War, represents the origins of a family line that would extend from rural Georgia, to Birmingham, Ala., to Chicago and, finally, to the White House.

UPDATE at 10/8/09 11:00:38 am:

The comments about this article at Fox Nation (Fox News’ “discussion forum”) are appalling — open racism is everywhere: NYT: Michelle Obama Descended from White Slaveowner | The FOX Nation.

KC Mob Member

Playing the “SLAVE” card I see. When you are born black, just how many cards do you get? Race card, Slave Card, Minority Card, Nappy Hair Card.... etc. Now I hear you’re going to get $500 bond from the government...isn’t that special?

Thursday, October 08, 2009 at 09:11 AM

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>>>> Far Right >>>>

moesite do you know the time and money they spend on that nappy hair. I have had black foster children so I can say. DAMN it is a lot of work, time and money. racist or whatever, who would have the time for that

Thursday, October 08, 2009 at 11:07 AM

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CES

This slave owner made a great error. This slave should have been terminated. Would have save this country a great embarrassment.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 11:14 PM

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Bostinks

Who really cares. As far as i’m concerned she is a wife of a Kenyan blood Amoeba.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 10:43 PM

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IRON MIKE

Hey NYT don’t put that on us. The blacks would have you believe that every black woman that was brought to America was “Jumped ” by some white man. I am sick of hearing this B.S. As far as Michelle; She looks like a 100% Hausa or maybe a Bacongo. I don’t see any white in her. She should be proud of her heritage. Besidesm she doesn’t act like she has any white blood inher.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 08:26 PM

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Lazar

a honkey in the woodpile?

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 06:40 PM

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zlato

Who cares! Does she want a ticket back to her ancestors homeland not to return? I’ll pay! Otherwise, why bother talking about it.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 06:35 PM

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dems are ruining this country

Darwin said that we descended from apes ,and in this case I believe him !

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 06:12 PM

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sammie

Nope - she looks more like a horse to me!

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 09:27 PM

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Rebel

No reparations check for her.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 05:26 PM

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NJG

On a related note: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig2/lincoln-arch.html

Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 05:15 PM

The right wing seems to have lost all inhibitions about letting their inner racism come spewing out. Where the hell are the Fox News administrators? Either they’re not doing their jobs, or they’re OK with this kind of stuff at their official website.

And notice the link in that final comment to racist paleocon Lew Rockwell’s attack on Abraham Lincoln.