The Founding Father: Thomas Jefferson On The African Race

Bernard Guillen History 20 Thomas Jefferson Racism Thomas Jefferson was President of United State, before the American Revolution he was governor of Virginia and run the office for years, he was vice president under John Adam. He spoke to the people of how he wanted to become President and how his experience can benefit America for a better future. Jefferson owns a lot of slaves after his father died, he inherited them, along with his other brothers. Slavery was always a concern to Jefferson throughout his life, he really didn’t know if he like slavery or not, as president he wanted to free the slave. However, he believes that black was inferior to white, also he had too many slaves that basically help with everything he had, with hard labor.

One of the historical references he makes is quoting a section from the Declaration of Independence. He quotes the beginning of the Declaration of Independence when it mentions that “All men are created equal” and that men have unalienable rights, which are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” He tells Jefferson that the black men and women of America are not given these rights. They are not given the right to life because they are slaves. They are not given the right to liberty because they are slaves.

Mr. Marcus Garvey argued there was no-other purpose for Africans in America. Marcus felt there was no way for black to ever achieve real peace in a land that where they are the poorest group, the least influential group and one of the smallest groups. He realized however that some black minds had accepted the inferiority complex imposed on them by their slave masters; he calls these weak minded men vagabonds that cannot contribute to his cause. “I have no desire to take all black people back to Africa; there are blacks who are no good here and will likewise be no good there.” (Marcus Garvey 1920).

Through thoughtful reflection and passionate determination, the connection of these two characters creates a heightened sense of worth that makes them a valuable and contributing part of society. Jefferson is a young, black man who is put on death row, because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He did not kill any men, yet the white jury is convinced he is guilty of all charges. During his trial, his lawyer states, “What justice would there be to take this life? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this” (Gaines 8).

Jefferson presented his views based on rational thinking and intuitions. It was his personal belief that Indian and whites are equal in all aspects of life. He did not presented his arguments based on facts and figures. As Jefferson wrote in his letter that “I have seen some thousands myself, and conversed much with them, and have found in them a masculine, sound understanding.” It noticeably shows that it was belief of Jefferson that Indians and whites possess the same masculine strength and power.

So when ships arrived in 1619 with African Americans the problem was solved, slaves seemed like a simple solution. Even though the Declaration of Independence states, “all men are created equal” a large group of people was ignored in this statement. While white Americans were free African American

Even in today’s society racism is still controversial. Jefferson was in the wrong place at the wrong time and had been incriminated. That exact type of situation has happened numerous times these past few months. Black people are called monkeys and even back then they were still considered animals. Jefferson is not a hog, but the defender said otherwise,

He points out “how pitiable it is” that while God granted the white Americans freedom, Jefferson “counteract [God’s] mercies in detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel

When Jefferson was elected president in 1801, he gave his Inaugural Address. Though he admitted "the task was above his talents," he listed many point on how to move our nation into the 19th century. Of those points, he stated, that giving the minority “equal rights” and finding a common ground was necessary for moving the country into the 19th century. Jefferson makes a point that to transfer into the 19th century as a nation, all people must have "equal rights." He stated, "That though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights." He then goes on to state that the law make sure they get those rights.

The minds of black people have been brainwashed into thinking that people with more European features are more beautiful. Janie’s appearance models power, reflects society’s hypocrisy, and shows the distinction between the inner

This excerpt is extremely important because it makes us better understand the status of African people, subdued by the European nations, and how the concept of slavery was perceived and addressed by

African Americans according to Jeffersons work are mentioned to be ‘inferior’ to whites. That means they are not on the same status as whites. Jefferson describes African Americans as “ in memory they are equal to whites; in reason much inferior, one could scarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they are dull, tasteless, and anomalous’. He seems to be stating that many African American Slaves are less because they do not understand common scholarly stories. This can be considered an regional belief that is common throughout most of the colonies.

Throughout history of the United States of America from as early back as it is available African American have suffered terribly at the hands of their white counterpart. According to history.com website “the continent of Africa was deprived of its most valuable resource – its healthiest and ablest men and women.” Unfortunately for them their status changes as they now take on a name role – Slaves”. (history.com) Marcus Mosiah Garvey a Jamaican born and Jamaica first National Hero stated that "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.

Since the abolishment of slavery black women are no long being forced to alter their hair; however the underlying principle still remains as society indirectly forces black women to alter their hair in order to “fit in” as society says having straightened hair symbolizes femininity. Once again these standards exclude black women as their “kinky” hair does not fit into societal norms of feminine. Therefore they must alter their hair, may it be chemically or thermally, in order to come close to the dominant standard of beauty (Donald,year). In essence, among black women hair alteration is done because of outside pressures and as times process they began altering their hair as a means to feeling beautiful within themselves rather then self hatred.

In Good Hair, black women’s lives are examined in regards to the way they do their hair. Many of these women spend considerable amounts of money on hair products and salon appointments to