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Obama's Long Lost Aunt

3 years ago
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Not quite the American Dream over here via UK Times Online:

Barack Obama has lived one version of the American Dream that has taken him to the steps of the White House. But a few miles from where the Democratic presidential candidate studied at Harvard, his Kenyan aunt and uncle, immigrants living in modest circumstances in Boston, have a contrasting American story.

Zeituni Onyango, the aunt so affectionately described in Mr Obama's best-selling memoir Dreams from My Father, lives in a disabled-access flat on a rundown public housing estate in South Boston.

A second relative believed to be the long-lost "Uncle Omar" described in the book was beaten by armed robbers with a "sawed-off rifle" while working in a corner shop in the Dorchester area of the city. He was later evicted from his one-bedroom flat for failing to pay $2,324.20 (£1,488) arrears, according to the Boston Housing Court.

It's not completely unheard of course for two parts of a family to follow widely divergent paths, although this is likely one part of the Obama biography we won't likely hear much about from his campaign. But to me, this is the kicker:

In his book Mr Obama writes that "Uncle Omar" had gone missing after moving to Boston in the 1960s – a quarter-century before Mr Obama first visited his family in Kenya. Aunt Zeituni is now also living in Boston, and recently made a $260 campaign contribution to her nephew's presidential bid from a work address in the city.

So at least she's not a Republican anyway! File under somewhat interesting.


Filed Under: 2008 President

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