I thought it was resolved long ago that in this forum we wouldn't 
recurringly re-fight--or should I say re-shout?--the Hemings-Jefferson 
ideological wars. In any case, here we have from Mr. Barger a charge against 
Monticello itself, namely, that the foundation moved not to "memorialize Mr. 
Jefferson but the slaves' contributions there." As he has done before, Mr. 
Barger also complains that--heaven forbid!--African-Americans, of all 
people, have become deeply involved in Monticello's evolution as a 
constructive national treasure.

Well, as a paternity agnostic (FWIW, I think some on both sides sometimes 
exhibit too much confident certitude), I'd like to assert something myself, 
I guess with confident certitude of my own, whatever may need saying about 
Monticello's performance following the DNA announcement. It's this: the 
foundation does the planet an important service in telling the full story of 
life on what in the future will seem less and less like a place that 
illustrates only the grace, serenity, and elegance connoted by the word 
"plantation," and more and more like a place that illustrates the phrase 
"slave-labor farm."

It seems to me that Monticello memorializes both Mr. Jefferson and enslaved 
Americans, not only on that "plantation" but elsewhere, who contributed 
foundationally to the country's economic and cultural wealth. And with 
additional swaggering, confident certitude of my own, I'd like also to 
assert that if Mr. Jefferson himself somehow reappeared today, he'd agree 
that Monticello's evolution toward deep respect for those contributions 
affirms the foundational American principles that he led in enunciating.

Those people had individual stories and passions and travails and dignity. 
They also had and have a claim equal to that of any of us to the protection 
of the laws of nature and of nature's god.

Good for you, Monticello.

Please indulge my impassioned outburst, forum participants. 

______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html