Comments about ‘Connecting to African roots’

As with Sybil Ellis in this article, many American blacks with a slave history past, who do family history research, get past the feelings of "we were slaves then, and are still suffering effects of that today."

Those I've known who do family history research come to see life and its challenges as blessings, and chances to improve and grow--even the slavery part.

One fellow observed: "If our ancestors hadn't been slaves--brought to the western hemisphere, our family would still be in Africa--possibly involved in all the civil wars there, with all that brutality--and poverty and AIDS, and the many other trials so many there face. Instead, we have a head start, being here in America. Doing family history has somehow changed my feelings--I see blessings now, much more than inequality of opportunity."