Strom Thurmond's half black daughter
 

Pretty interesting he fathered her even before he got into politics and his segrationist period. His daughter is willing to submit to a DNA test which means she is pretty confident she will be proven right.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...908EST0557.DTL

This story was discussed in detail on the AKA and DST (she is a Delta) back in August. :) You can read more there, but it appeared that everyone in her inner circle knew that he was her father; she did not discuss it for decades, even though many people suspected it (he was a frequent visitor to her college and people saw them together).

I remember reading this on the AKA/DST forums a while back and being shocked. I'm surprised that this hasn't gotten more mainstream press.

It seems that the threads from August are "lost", probably during one of the crashes. The Delta Sigma Thetas have started a new one, though.

One thing for certain - I really hope that the Thurmond family will do the right thing and agree to DNA tests. NO ONE who has a possibility of knowing their heritage should be denied a positive proof!

The more things change, the more they remain the same.
 

I guess that Strom's idol was Thomas Jefferson.

Re: The more things change, the more they remain the same.
 

Oh that was funny. I guess history repeats itself.

things that make you go "hmm..."
 

Hmm, y'know I would think, if Strom Thurmond really had a change of heart, then why didn't he publicly acknowledge his Black child?

Re: things that make you go "hmm..."
 

Do you think that she is his only unacknowledged child? He was called "Sperm" Thurmond for a reason. ;)

Re: Re: things that make you go "hmm..."
 

now that's just plain disgusting. but I don't hate the playa, I hate the game- just kidding, that's wack no matter who you are

Re: Re: things that make you go "hmm..."
 

:eek: :eek: ewwwww!!!!:eek: :eek:

that's disgusting...but I hope that she can find out the truth!

Re: things that make you go "hmm..."
 

Probably the same reasons that Julius Erving, Jesse Jackson, and Sean Kemp didn't acknowledge their illegitimate children.

Re: Re: things that make you go "hmm..."
 

What reasons would those be?

Re: Re: Re: things that make you go "hmm..."
 

An aversion to publicly acknowledge their illegitimate children.

BORING.

Many powerful men have out of wedlock children. Rumor had it that King Louis XIV had hundreds of children all over France. It is not that unusual. Actually, many not-so-powerful men have children outside of marriage.

As for Sen. Thurman, I hope that his family does the right thing and acknowledges her as his daughter and heir.

She's not likely an heir to anything.

He was a lawyer, i'm sure he's amassed some money and property over the years, and I'm sure he had a very explicit will. Unless he died w/o a will (which is very doubtful) or used very vague terminology such as "to my children" (which is also doubtful b/c he knew about his illegitimate child), she has no claims to his estate.
Damn, i actually learned something in property class....

Anyway, if she's been quiet for so long, I don't think she's the type of person to be doing it for the money. If she were, she would've gone public while he was alive. She could feasibly try to squeeze some money out of the family in some way, but it doesn't seem like that kind of situation.

My understanding is that Essie Washington doesn't want any part of the Thurmond estate, she just wants to claim her paternity. The genealogist in me thinks that everyone has that right.

This was hardly a secret, so really, she really shouldn't need to resort to DNA. That said, I think the proper thing for the Thurmond family to do is to offer to supply DNA samples for her.

I didn't mean heir in terms of inheriting money or property. I mean in terms of being including as one of his children, if that is what she wants.

Maybe heir is the wrong word for what I mean.

Heir works here! :)

That apparantely is true.

I heard on NPR today that the Thurmond family has made an announcement today basically confirming all of the facts and wishing her and her (highly accomplished) family well.

Or how about all men take care of their illegitimate children?

This is much more of a societal problem than anything else.

Agreed. Being a deadbeat dad knows no political boundaries. All men should take care of their kids.

Societal problem?? There are no illegitimate kids or 28 year old grandmothers in my neighborhood.

Good point, kddani! And not just out of wedlock children, and not just men and fathers. Parents need to support their children. Sometimes when parents divorce, the noncustodial parent doesn't pay child support and sometimes that parent is the mother.

For some reason, I don't like the word 'illegitimate' when describing a child.

Back to the topic, here is a news article which includes Strom Thurman, Jr.'s reaction. "We have no reason to believe Ms. Williams was not telling the truth," his son says.

Obviously I have no personal knowledge of this situation, but the story on National Public Radio at least made it sound like the late Senator did support both women -- mother and daughter -- financially.

How do YOU know that there aren't any illegitimate children (or deadbeat parents) in your neighborhood.

BTW...how's the air up there on your high horse? :p

This is true. In stories about this released both before and just after the Senator's death, it is mentioned that he provided for her--including her education and life after school. If memory serves, she is also a Delta; this was back in the day when only women of a certain socioeconomic background could even THINK of joining a sorority. Her classmates told stories of how she would contact him whenever she needed money.

I would be absolutely surprised if the Thurmond children had no idea of this woman's existence.

Uh, yeah, seriously. I'm an illegitimate child. You wouldn't know that by looking at me or talking to me. So, you can take that attitude and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. Thanks.

^5 :D

R U serious?
 

You may be an illegitimate child! Your mom could be keeping that from you..ever thought about that?? I'm not attacking you personally..I'm just trying to make the point that NO ONE can tell just by "looking" from the outside that one is not a illegitimate child. I feel like this discussion is common sense...but obviously you really think you know the heredity of all the people in your neighborhood.

And further...are u implying that this is NOT a societal problem and that dead beat dads are limited to certain segments of the population?? Sounds like you are...but instead of assuming, I'm asking you.

***Strom Thurmond's daughter will be on 60 Minutes II tonight*****

I caught part of an interview with her today. What a CLASSY lady!

Yeah, she really seems to be. As I understand it, her son who is an MD is actually the catalyst who urged her to "go public" at this time.

28 year old grandmothers? There aren't any in MY neighborhood either. :rolleyes:

The saying has always been "Mama's baby, Papa's maybe." Men can always deny a child or claim that their hands are clean, but babies aren't made by themselves. Regardless of what you are implying or may think, illegitimate kids come from ALL necks of the woods. And just because you see these perfect families in your neighborhood, don't let the smooth taste fool you.

Funny you mentioned that because I was watching the interview on tv this morning and it seems that he wants the recognition more than his mom does. On a side note..this might be news to the rest of the world...but people in SC (mostly Afr. Am) have known this for years!!!!:D

Definitely a lady of class - another fine example of Delta Sigma Theta!

As for her son, Sen. Thurmond is part of his heritage, too. As I've said before, everyone has a right to their heritage - AND nobody's is better than anybody else's!

I am SOOOO thrilled to hear that the Thurmond family have accepted Essie May Washington-Williams, without DNA testing!

Yeah, next thing you know they'll invite her over for dinner.

-Rudey
--They might even let her use the white Thurmond's bathroom.:)

Thurmond's relatives "Embarrassed" by revelation
 

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news...0thurmond.html

For those of you who read the New York Times, there's also an article about the family's reaction...which is mixed. Some wish that she had contacted them privately before going forward, while others wish she hadn't come forward at all.

Re: Thurmond's relatives "Embarrassed" by revelation
 

The article doesn't address whether some relatives are embarrassed by having an illegitimate cousin/niece/whatever, or if they are embarrassed by her race. I had hoped for a better article than this.