My research uses Ellisonian ideology to evaluate an article in the Sunday, June 17 2012 article in The New York Times. The article by Rachel L. Swarns, “Meet Your Cousin, First Lady” examines the complexity of America, and particularly hones in on the issue of race mixing. The Obama family epitomizes the hope America has to be the greatest experiment ever, and President Barack Obama’s multiracial heritage brings many complex issues to the forefront of public discourse. However, who knew his wife’s family history was just as complex as his, if not more so? Swarns explores the dark and complex past of racial mixing in Michelle Obama’s family, and then discusses how this past is true for the majority of Americans. Ralph Ellison frequently discusses America in a similar fashion¾as a culture and narrative woven of many colorful threads. This is true not only culturally, but also biologically. Potentially, this fact could lead to people of all complexions and cultures seeing all others on an equal playing field. Improving our knowledge of this could bind Americans together and help inspire a more understanding and peaceful nation. With this knowledge of our past, however hard to discuss, we can properly delve into the future, actualize our national creed, and begin to question whether we live in a “post-racial America.”"