
During a recent segment on “The View,” Megyn Kelly, a conservative commentator and previous anchor for Fox News, responded to co-host Sunny Hostin’s revelation about her family history of slave ownership. This article explores the intricate nature of lineage, self-perception, and the current discourse on reparations with an analytical and professional approach.
Kelly expressed her disappointment in Hostin’s reaction to her newfound ancestral knowledge, questioning the notion of shame and horror associated with being descended from slave owners. She challenged the audience to consider how they would react if faced with a similar revelation about their personal family history.
The discussion of racial identity was also a point of contention. Hostin, who identifies as black, had suspected the presence of white ancestors due to her mother’s physical features. While hesitant to take a genetic test, Hostin believed her heritage was more than skin-deep. However, Kelly argued that Hostin’s discovery contradicted her self-identification, comparing her to Rachel Dolezal, who infamously claimed a black identity despite being born white.
A significant turning point in Hostin’s journey of self-discovery occurred during an interview on “Finding Your Roots” with Henry Lewis Gates. It was revealed that her third great-grandfather was likely involved in the slave trade, adding a new layer of complexity to her ancestral history. This revelation sparked a broader conversation about the lasting impact of slavery on American society.
Kelly also touched upon Hostin’s support for reparations for black Americans, highlighting the potential inconsistency in advocating for reparations while living a privileged lifestyle. She pointed out Hostin’s son’s attendance at Harvard and her success as a co-host on “The View,” questioning the need for reparations in light of these circumstances.
The reparations committee in California has made a 5-4 decision, as per Cal Matters, to extend reparations exclusively to those Black residents who can trace their descent directly from enslaved forebears. This move positions California on the brink of being the inaugural state in the U.S. to compensate African Americans for slavery’s detriments. However, as reported by the Guardian, the agreement’s specifics are still under debate. The criteria for documenting ancestral connections have yet to be established.