Keeping up with the Times: Thurs, Oct. 8, 2009

In Thursday's New York Times, geneologist, Megan Smolenyak traced through the roots of First Lady Michelle Obama and solidified her connection to slavery. The article was titled "First Lady's Roots Reveal Twisty Path from Slavery."

I thought "twisty" was a strange word choice. Something about it didn't strike right with me. It implies something shady or deceitful about the past of the First Lady. I would assume that "twisty" reflects the circumstances of her great-great-great-grandparents: the unidentified white male who impregnated a young black slave. However, it could be misinterpreted as something shady about the First Lady herself. Hence, I might have used a different word choice for the headline; maybe erase a word altogether to make the title "First Lady's Roots Reveal Path from Slavery." It is concise and still portrays its message without odd implications.

Another headline on the Afghan war, another on health care reform and yet another on fears of swine flu on the front page. Essentially, nothing new.

Under international news, I was caught by a photograph of a faceless young woman cradling her bulging belly. There was a corresponding article on the Korean stigma regarding unwed mothers. A new group, the Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network, is being organized to provide care and resources for unwed Korean mothers who might otherwise face devastating poverty and social ostracization. What struck me most was the idea that women who attempt to raise their children alone and refuse abortions are considered disgraceful in Korea whereas in the United States, for the most part, women who go through with abortions are judged as disgraceful by society. In Korea, abortions are "encouraged by the government." Our government has yet to be persuaded by either side, but I think the cultural comparison is interesting.