Life Lessons from Ben Affleck’s Slave-Owning Ancestor Saga

Last updated on: June 9, 2015 at 9:59 pm by Sean Lowe

Life Lessons from Ben Affleck’s Slave-Owning Ancestor Saga 2015-06-09T21:59:11-04:00 Sean Lowe

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Now that the world has found out (in a way that’s much less controllable than a PBS show), he

I regret my initial thoughts that the issue of slavery not be included in the story. We deserve neither credit nor blame for our ancestors and the degree of interest in this story suggests that we are, as a nation, still grappling with the terrible legacy of slavery. It is an examination well worth continuing. I am glad that my story, however indirectly, will contribute to that discussion. While I don’t like that the guy is an ancestor, I am happy that aspect of our country’s history is being talked about.

It’s true that our family history becomes part of us. We carry on their story, whether we’re proud of it or not. But we also have the ability to change the story. We’re not bound to live in their shadows or repeat the same mistakes.

Ben Affleck’s mother didn’t. Whether she knew about her slave-owning ancestor or not, she chose a different path when she stood for Civil Rights instead.

By the way, the same thing is also true if you have great ancestors and are proud of your family history. You don’t get to ride on their shoulders your whole life. They gave you a head start, but you still have to pick up the baton and decide what you will contribute to the family story in your lifetime.

Your long-lost ancestors don’t define you. Your parents and upbringing don’t define you either.

What kind of family history do you have? (Have you ever looked into it? It can be fascinating!) Most people will find a mix of great and embarrassing things. That’s because we all have human beings in our ancestry, and they are capable of both amazing and stupid things. The more important question is, what will you do with that knowledge? You can let it define you and end up being nothing more or less than the people who came before you – or you can accept it as part of yourself you can never erase, but use it to create your own story.

What do you want to be known for when your descendants go on one of those “discovering your ancestry” searches?

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