US

‘A Slave Holder Named Thomas Jefferson’: Is Smithsonian‘s New ’Race’ Exhibit Fair to Founding Father?

Which major government-funded U.S. museum currently features an exhibit that classifies Thomas Jefferson as simply “a slave holder”?

A Slave Holder Named Thomas Jefferson: Smithsonian Museum Exhibit Race Are We So Different?

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History currently features an exhibit titled "Race: Are We So Different?"

That would be the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, located in the heart of nation’s capital.

Developed by the American Anthropological Association, “Race: Are We So Different” offers “an unprecedented look at race and racism in the United States,” according to the Smithsonian’s website.

The Blaze visited the exhibit and found a couple of things that might surprise you.

A five-minute video at the front of the hall sets up the visitor’s experience, which in addition to describing Christopher Columbus as someone who only “colonized and conquered” the natives he encountered, refers to Jefferson merely as a “slave holder”:

“Race,” the narrator says, “is a powerful idea that was invented by society.”

“Many of the ideas we now associate with race originated during the European era of exploration. Europeans like Christopher Columbus traveled overseas and encountered and then colonized and conquered peoples in Africa, Asia and the Americas who looked, talked and acted much differently from them.

A Slave Holder Named Thomas Jefferson: Smithsonian Museum Exhibit Race Are We So Different?[...]

“In the American colonies, the first laborers were European indentured servants. When African laborers were forcibly brought to Virginia beginning in 1619, status was defined by wealth and religion, not by physical characteristics such as skin color. But this would change.

[...]

A Slave Holder Named Thomas Jefferson: Smithsonian Museum Exhibit Race Are We So Different?

“By 1776 when “All men are created equal” was written into the Declaration of Independence by a slave holder named Thomas Jefferson, a democratic nation was born with a major contradiction about race at its core. As our new nation asserted its independence from European tyranny, blacks and American Indians were viewed as less than human and not deserving of the same liberties as whites.”

A display in another part of the exhibit features a historical timeline of slavery. The entry for the year 1784 states: “Thomas Jefferson, future U.S. president and likely the father of at least one of the slaves he owned, publishes ‘Notes on the State of Virginia.’” It quotes Jefferson’s writing, where he posits whether blacks are a distinct, inferior race from whites and if that would be an obstacle to their emancipation.

Jefferson did of course own slaves — hundreds throughout his lifetime. But his feelings on slavery were also much more complex than the exhibit suggests — in other writings he called it “an abominable crime” and “moral depravity.” He drafted Virginia’s 1778 law banning the importation of enslaved Africans and separately proposed slavery be outlawed in the new Northwest territories.

But “Race: Are We So Different?” does not cover any of that. None of the exhibit’s written displays examines these nuances; the only other details offered are on a looped video with a historian who says Jefferson knew it was “a massive contradiction” to both own slaves while professing the “lofty ideals” of America — a brief distinction that is easy to miss.

When contacted by The Blaze, Kelly Carnes of the Natural History Museum‘s press office said she could not speak to the exhibit’s content because it was not created by the Smithsonian. Damon Dozier of the American Anthropological Association did not respond to requests for comment.

At the end of the day, a casual Smithsonian visitor is likely to come away from one of the nation’s preeminent museums thinking that one of the Founding Fathers was truly nothing more than a racist slave owner — and remember, since it’s a government-funded museum, you as a taxpayer are paying for it.

Other features of note:

  • A display titled “Racism’s effects on health“ says ”numerous studies have linked the stress of racism on African Americans to high blood pressure, adding evidence to the claims that racism contributes to the high rates of hypertension among them.“ It adds that racism may also affect health through ”limited access to nutritious food and safe environments for exercise; increased exposure to environmental toxins; reduced quality of health care.”
  • A display about the history of affirmative action in the U.S. declares, “The legacy of white privilege still runs far ahead of efforts to compensate for it.” It features a note about two 2003 Supreme Court affirmative action rulings, which it says upheld “the limited use of race as a factor in reviewing student [university] applications.” While Grutter v. Bollinger did uphold the use of race for admissions, the ruling in the second case, Gratz v. Bollinger, actually held that the use of simply assigning “points” to someone based on their race was unconstitutional. Beside the display’s text is a photograph of the 2003 court, including Clarence Thomas, the sole African American justice. Thomas has long maintained his views opposing affirmative action, something nowhere to be found on the display.

You can take a virtual tour of the exhibit here. “Race: Are We So Different?” will be on display at the Smithsonian through Jan. 2.

Comments (439)

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  • itsallcrazy
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:09am

    Are my tax dollars paying for this? Wonder if they included any of Jeffersons many accomplishments. He was an inventor,botanist,statesman,architect,became a lawyer at the age of 17,spoke several languages,started the Library of Congress,made the Louisiana Purchase and on and on the list goes. Maybe instead of paying for this propaganda our taxes could be used to buy real biographies of the founding father for school children and ignorant adults.

    Report Post »  
    • ConPast
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:03am

      . . . And he was also the father of several children with his slave Sally Hemings. While Jefferson may have been a benevolent slave holder, and struggled intellectually and morally with the institution, he had and held slaves on his properties until he died. Never found a way of operating his plantations without slave labor. He was a slave holder, which is a fact that can’t be denied. So was George Washington and many of the founding fathers. No matter his private thoughts or post-death intentions, Jefferson never fought for the abolition of the slave trade as Wilberforce and others in Great Britain did with success, and allowed a passage condemning slavery to be excised from the Declaration of Independence as a compromise to southern representatives of the colonies. That’s history and fact

      Report Post »  
    • HornsFan96
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:16am

      Where is the proof that Jefferson fathered several children with his slaves?? This has long been a slur and rumor, but to my knowledge, absolutely no proof exists. Stop making stuff up out of your own hatred.

      Report Post »  
    • jkendal
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:40am

      I’m with HornsFan96 – conpast is simply regurgitating stupid leftist propaganda started by those who hate the founding of this country.

      Report Post »  
    • Libertarian
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:06pm

      There is a huge parallel between slavery & abortion.

      A fetus today is viewed as property much like the colonial slave. People against slavery remained indifferent to the act, but wrote about it extensively in private. Likewise, many Americans view abortion indifferently. Many won’t have the debate, yet most say abortion shouldn’t be used as a contraceptive, why? If it is not a human being, why should that not be a method of prevention? The easy answer is that there is something innately wrong with aborting a fetus. Like any other species in the animal kingdom, there are stages of life, a fetus just happens to be one of the beginning stages of human life.

      We view slavery today as a nasty mark of mankind, as it was. The colonialists viewed slavery as common practice because it was common to own a slave, much like the typical view Americans have on abortion. Abortion is common practice and ingrained in most of our society as common. In New York city the rate is 40%. Of course there are differences between slavery and abortion, slavery uses the labor of another individual to further ones’ riches, and abortion kills the fetus to maintain ones’ riches and prevents financial, social and economic strain.

      Report Post » Libertarian  
    • Libertarian
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:09pm

      The role of government is to protect life (abortion), liberty (slavery) and property (real and personal).

      Report Post » Libertarian  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:03pm

      What would you expect from a sleez bag President.

      Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:03am

    Silly negroe vicimizers and victimized. Can’t get that enough of that chip eh? What? You’re “African” american and you don’t feel that way, you don’t carry that chip on your shoulder? Then why aren’t you writing the Smithsonian?

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • schmite123oh
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:59pm

      I’m so sick of the race/slavery card. Do blacks understand that they are not the only race to be forced into slavery? Romans had slaves, Egyptians had slaves, Greece had slaves, England had slaves, pretty much every empire. Jack-wagons need to stop giving me that “******* over there look” I’m not personally responsible for your grandparents past. Time to take accountability for your lives starting today. Enough Said.

      Report Post »  
  • slordax
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:02am

    wonder if the museum also informs how, where and by whom the african slaves were abducted and sold into slavery in the first place …

    Report Post »  
    • aro5o75
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:20am

      Of course they don’t, that wouldn’t be PC.

      Report Post » aro5o75  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:34am

      Afircans are still kidnapping and enslaving there own people in 2011. We learned, when will they?

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • Vickie Dhaene
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 12:03pm

      It was a Black man……….. The slaves in the “PAST” were treated better than the sweat shops slaves that our clothing industry uses.

      Report Post »  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 1:54pm

      Funny, I don’t hear them mention anything about the sex “slaves” the Muslims have today!! Do they have to be black to count?? Guess it’s ok then.

      Report Post » 8jrts  
  • Michellediana
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:02am

    Reminds me of the signs in the Natural History Museum that refer to ‘millions of years ago’. Clearly the poor chum that wrote them needs to get his facts straight and go back to a school that will actually teach fact, not science fiction.

    Report Post »  
    • Lowgo1981
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:44am

      Exactly. That makes me so angry. There is so much controversy over their own dating methods, but no one talks about that. It has become so engrained in society that even Christians use those terms “millions of years ago”. If you account for the millions of tons of earth that erodes into the ocean, measure the depth of the sediment on the ocean floor, you would find that the beginning of this erosion would have begun approx. 10,000 years ago. That is a fact almost never argued. Interestingly enough, that would correspond with the Biblical account of history to be approx. 10,000 years old.

      Report Post »  
    • smokeysmoke
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 12:45pm

      You do understand that we can track the magnetism in the ocean sediment. As the polar north wanders, and even flips to the south pole every 100 million years… So we have a physical record of the earths magnetism. And the oldest plate on the ocean floor is about 1 billion years old … Using sediment Erosion is dumb… Dong go use natural history to support the bible idiot when your totally misinformed… I thought the tea party was supposed to be open minded… This does mean question everything… But something’s like using polarity in the sediment is a fact that can date ocean sediment to at least 1 billion.

      Report Post » smokeysmoke  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 1:10pm

      Among reputable scientists, there is no ‘controversy’ about the age of the Earth; it is only among the laughingstock of the world, the Christian right ‘scientists’ that this even controversial.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • Flyingfish
      Posted on August 14, 2011 at 5:29pm

      There is little difference between science and religion, people came up with it based on what they kenw at the time and they will defend said beliefs pasionately.

      The real difference and the most important distinction is in science when someone points out that a formally held idea is silly and comes up with a proof at to why it is silly, there is change for the better. Sure there can be much infighting, but after enough time that goes by where the more stuborn hold outs retire/die, beliefs will actually shift.

      Religion on the other hand will take said person beat him near to death and then nail him to a cross…..I’m sure we can come up with an example of that somewhere. Then they’ll spend the next 2000 years arguing over exactly what he meant before they killed him and along the way ridicule, threaten, or murder anyone who dares question the wisdom of the man they themselves put on the cross. The best part they’ll say they do it out of love.

      The Religious are demented ignorant people whose lives are ruled by emotion which blinds them to all else. Before you lable me a Liberal (I am not) who are nothing more than the flip side of the same coin the only difference is they replace God with Mankind. Either group is willing to grind the individual into dust for any dissention.

      Science is on a good day a very well thought out best guess, subject to revision on a regular basis. Extreme Religion/Liberalism is the “science” for the mentally lazy and difficien

      Report Post » Flyingfish  
  • sWampy
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:01am

    Yes we are so DIFFERENT, no how many times liberal progressives hell bent on enslaving us all say we aren’t we are very, very different. Trying to pretend we aren’t in the long run just adds to human suffering.

    Report Post »  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:00am

    It sounds like there is quite an agenda associated with this exhibit, tied to the current wave of social justice. That’s too bad. I would expect the Smithsonian to have a firmer grip on the social norms of the times and other factors in play that prevented abolition of slavery when our nation was first founded. It agonized many of the founding fathers that slavery wasn’t addressed from the outset, and some of them even owned slaves. They realized that abolition would have been a show-stopper in forming the union, and deferred dealing with it in the interest of forming a union of states fighting for independence. We need to tell the story, but we need to tell it right.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:00am

    For those of you who value the idea of the United States as a common heritage culturally and politically, get down on your knees and kiss the ground to thank the people who created the Smithsonian Museums on the Mall in DC. These museums are all free, and contain our greatest treasures in every field of human endeavor. One could live in DC and visit a museum every week, and still never see and learn everything in the treasures of beauty and knowledge contained there.

    Report Post » Baikonur  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:37am

      …all of that knowledge right there and they still can’t balance a checkbook.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • JRiFLY04
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:52am

      We do appreciate the museums ,but they should get the information right if they are going to set up an exhibit for the whole world to see. They make it look intentional when they put half truth or flat out lies out in our capitol as facts.

      Report Post »  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 1:07pm

      @JRiFLY04
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:52am
      ‘We do appreciate the museums ,but they should get the information right if they are going to set up an exhibit for the whole world to see.’
      *******************
      Amerrica’s top scientists and historians work for the Smithsonian. They are getting it right. You should go and visit some day. I do not think you will come away disappointed or offended by anything in ther Smithsonian museums. Don’t take the word of some no-name copy/paster ‘writer’ for Glenn Beck‘s site as Gospel truth about one of our country’s greatest achievments.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 1:14pm

      @Ookspay
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:37am
      ‘…all of that knowledge right there and they still can’t balance a checkbook.’
      *************
      Maybe if we didn’t spend half of our money on foreign wars we could balance that checkbook better. :)

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • pike77
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 1:50pm

      I hate to burst your bubble but the Smithsonian is not free; it is tied to Federal funding. If the Federal Government shuts down the Smithsonian shuts down too. While there may be no fee to enter, it is not free, taxpayers are picking up a large piece of the tab.

      Report Post »  
    • Jeetman
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 1:51pm

      @Baikonur

      I can see by your posts that you’d rather believe that our country was founded by evil men and that you choose to look at our American heritage as mostly a negative thing. If you are an American you’re a sorry A$$ POS. There’s enough history out there to suggest that our founding fathers were good men. In all the history I’ve learned, I choose to believe they were noble men who were ahead of their time and that the Idea of America was God given. Were they perfect? No. Were they so bad that you’d highlight their questionable history? ONLY IF YOU ARE A PROGRESSIVE WITH AN AGENDA!!! This reporter is right. To present an honest view, you should present a balanced piece to let the observer make up their own mind. If they are painting Jefferson as an uncaring slave owner without sufficiently presenting any history that contradicts this, then they are not giving an accurate account of history.

      Report Post » Jeetman  
    • cosette
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:26pm

      The word free implies that it costs nothing. Who do you think paid to build the structure? Santa? Who do you think pays to maintain it? The tooth fairy? Who do you think pays the salaries of those who work there? The Easter bunny? You are an obvious nincompoop. There is no free lunch. The working stiff in this country pays for all of it. With very little thanks I might add. And the truth of the matter is we’re sick of being castigated and disparaged by the parasitic underclass, the very leeches who are sucking us dry because work, for some reason, is beneath them! And now, because we are standing up for once, and saying we’ve had it, we are recest bigoted rednecks and deserve to suffer the beat down from the black hoards. Well I say- bring it on!

      Report Post »  
    • ProgressivesAreEvil
      Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:55am

      But poor Baki the unknown scientists you speak of didn’t spawn this “exhibit”, some other idiot who likes to pick and chose things from history to fit his warped narrative did. If you are so enamored with the truth of history you should be at the very least disappointed that whomever this tool who made the exhibit is, he did it to mislead people who have little knowledge of that topic of history. Half-truths and omission of the full display of history is in fact purposefully done to mislead others and “make” them see a different history than what actually took place.

      Nice try at all the Newspeak troll but you are very transparent in your views and your hate of Mr Beck. You’d like to sound like you know what you are talking about and doing it honestly…but we both know the truth of your spin don’t we?

      Report Post » ProgressivesAreEvil  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:57pm

      @Baikonur

      “Maybe if we didn’t spend half of our money on foreign wars we could balance that checkbook better. :)”

      Well I guess that comment finally proves that you are a typical democrat Liar. So much for you being a western European.

      You have been rendered irrelevant.

      Liars always lie.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • riverpointgalice
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 11:11am

      They are not free. They are using all of our taxpayers money. Nothing is free.

      Report Post »  
  • mtnhimike
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:00am

    It is time to for us taxpayers to stop paying for this kind of Leftist, Progressive bull ! Write our Congressional representatives and tell them to stop appropriating money for the Smithsonian they
    have left the field when it comes to being sensitive to us the taxpayers. I do not have to be reminded of
    someones past failings and especially President Jefferson and what he did for this country.

    Report Post »  
  • NOTALOTTAYITTAYADDA
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:59am

    Is it any wonder why he would have president put on his headstone?
    If we had someone like him to stand up to the banking system now we wouldn’t be in this economic extortion crap!!

    Report Post »  
  • Patriot906
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:59am

    Taking into consideration the black population in the United States today I can truly say that slavery was an epic mistake

    Report Post » Patriot906  
  • Michellediana
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:58am

    In the spirit of this story, I offer the following: while I was touring the Natural History Museum back in November (2010), I kept reading strange signs that referred to ‘millions of years ago’ I just kept feeling bad for the poor chum that made the signs, he clearly needs to review his facts and ask his college for his tuition back.

    Report Post »  
  • Affirmative Blaction
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:58am

    I love how the video forgets to mention that the first full on slave owner, was a black man, and that it was the african tribal leaders hunting down and kidnapping their own to be sold.

    Report Post » Affirmative Blaction  
    • AlansTigg
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:39am

      shhhhh you’re not supposed to talk about that…all black suffering is the fault of all white people

      Report Post » AlansTigg  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 8:41pm

      I saw that on Glenn Beck’s TV program also. What I’m wondering is why the 2 Indians in the first photo (painting) look like gay men in thongs? I didn’t know that they had thongs back then!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • rienheart
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:57am

    What a waste. Our History is being shoved down the Crapper by the Smithsonian. Goes to show who the real Racsists are

    Report Post »  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:57am

    How did the Negroid race (or any group of people with very very very dark skin if you want to use the “race-denial” fallacy) come to exist without evolution. Adam and Eve were lilly-white, right?

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • JRiFLY04
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 12:06pm

      I personally believe that the color of someones skin is just how they developed in the environment that they were develop,it‘s not that simple of course but that’s the basics of it. They have black skin because the race developed in Africa. So …if “the Garden of Edan” was in Africa,that says they were probably Middle Eastern. I get the sarcasm in your question,but what does the color of their or anyone’s skin have to do with an anything?

      Report Post »  
    • fatjack
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 2:41pm

      JRiFLY04
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 12:06pm

      I personally believe that the color of someones skin is just how they developed in the environment that they were develop,it‘s not that simple of course but that’s the basics of it. They have black skin because the race developed in Africa. So …if “the Garden of Edan” was in Africa,that says they were probably Middle Eastern. I get the sarcasm in your question,but what does the color of their or anyone’s skin have to do with an anything?
      ===========================
      and I bet the only reason the Europeans progressed past those left in Africa was because of the colder climate. Wuhahahahahahaha I see you had old maid Johnston as your six grade school teacher too.

      Report Post » fatjack  
    • dudeman4
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 5:06pm

      Cain was cursed for killing Abel. Part of it made his kids black.

      Report Post »  
    • EP46
      Posted on August 14, 2011 at 6:12am

      No where does the Bible say God only made Adam and Eve. The Bible does say that Cain, son of Adam and Eve went into the land of Nod and there he knew his wife. Surely God made other races,or as stated in the Bible ‘tribes’. He made us different for a reason, but he gave us a soul to make us His.

      Report Post »  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:57am

    This is the least of the crimes against America, and even God. Watch the movie “Expelled” by Ben Stein to learn more of their crimes. God forbid a teacher at their institution mention “intelligent design” as an alternative to Darwin, and watch how fast they are fired!!!!

    Report Post » DagneyT  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:57am

    Another Blaze article without attribution, with lots of copy/pastE.

    Again, an article meant to incite rage and a feeling that white Americans are ‘besieged’ by information that may show them in less than a favorable light.

    Glenn is the equivalent of yelling fire in a movie theater.

    I guess appealing to the lowest common denominator of the demographic pays real well. Can‘t wait to see what happens at Glenn’s Israel rally. The ******** will meet reality there, and I can’t wait to see what it is. I am sure right and left journalists in Israel will have lots to report.

    Report Post » Baikonur  
    • DagneyT
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:59am

      Why waste your time, and ours, by coming to The Blaze? Head on back to The Kos, and take your attitude with you.

      Report Post » DagneyT  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:02am

      @DagneyT
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:59am
      ‘Why waste your time, and ours, by coming to The Blaze?’
      *******************
      Aging plump Stepford Wife–comment on article of GTFO. :) Cheers.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:15am

      BAIK, Blazers follow Glenn Beck like disciples. They accept no criticism of Him. You’re 100% right about the Isreal event. Glenn is going to find out that Jerusalem is not DC and Palestinians are not Tea Partiers.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • cntrlfrk
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:27am

      ‘

      Typical leftist.

      Hoping and praying for violence.

      Stay classy.

      ‘

      Report Post » cntrlfrk  
    • AlansTigg
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:30am

      just ignore the troll Dag, not worth your time :)

      Report Post » AlansTigg  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:46am

      It is so very sad that your brain and beliefs have been tainted by a far left agenda. What is pathetic is that you actually think that you can influence any of us with your hate and cynicism. Go away and do whatever it is that you non-productive malcontents do. Get out of the way and let us fix this country that you and your ilk have tried so hard to ruin.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • Mtroom
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Lol…too funny….let them all speak…each side calling the kettle black…all of your posts make me laugh
      He said,she said bullsh*t …One moment saying..” Oh, pulled out the race card”..or “Without the facts, have to resort to name calling”…Than the very next post you are all calling each other names…AGAIN …please, I would like another round of this,it’s the weekend and this is better than any tv show …asking this original poster why he comes here…and calling them names..telling him to go away….Does this make you Blazers any better than the stuff you accuse the other side of doing? Let them read, let them say what they want, it’s their opinion…I gladly welcome them…it’s called information sharing.I might not agree with them, but I will give them the chance to say what they want..(Unlike these political hush your mouths)

      Report Post » Mtroom  
    • Baberaham Lincoln
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:53pm

      But the blaze is where I come to get my daily update on how oppressed white christian americans are! I mean, they have it really tough — probably worse than early american slaves!

      Report Post »  
    • schmite123oh
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:04pm

      He always says do your OWN homework, if you are looking for a pointer, stop using MSNBC as your proof read, that station is Aweful.

      Report Post »  
  • the bamster
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:56am

    If you destroy the men that created the constitution then you destroy it.

    Report Post » the bamster  
  • Jimbo96
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:56am

    Let’s see here…we have a governmental organization which is supposed to be non-political and honestly portray history not doing so…the question comes to mind, why? What is it that they are trying to do? My suspicion is that this is a very deliberate action being used to create a false history in order to create racial strife in order to re-elect a mulatto as President.
    The most effective method of telling a lie is to only tell a portion of the truth, not the complete truth. That is what the current executive branch is all about, and their political ally’s are doing all they can to propagate lies about the founding fathers in order to denigrate the “tea party” movement to bring back the ideals of the founding fathers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the race of the person responsible for this exhibit was non-white and this distortion of the facts was meant to cause racial strife and to be used as “fact” by the sheeple that believe these mistruths…Glad there is an internet with the actual complete facts to disprove the lies…time to fire some sob who authorized this…

    Report Post » Jimbo96  
  • armywife77
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:55am

    It’s a progressive move to destroy American History. Thank God for people like David Barton and Glenn Beck who work to show our Founding Fathers as true heroes to admire.

    Report Post » armywife77  
  • wingedwolf
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:53am

    Jefferson did not buy his slaves, he inherited them. The law f the land at that time was that you could not free your slaves unless you sent them back to their countries of origin. Jefferson could not afford to send them back, therefore was forced to keep and house them. That is the simple truth. What about that isn’t understood? That was one of the reasons we wanted independence from britain, because the king would not allow America to abolish slavery, but was instead trying to incite the slaves to rise up against the landowners and fight his war for him.
    Thomas Jefferson wrote: “George the Third has waged cruel war against humanity itself, violating its most scared rights of life and liberty, in the persons of a distant people who never offended him; captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur a miserable death in their transportation thither. This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidel powers, is the warfare of the Christian King of Great Britain. Determined to keep open a market where men should be bought and sold, he has prostituted his negative (veto) for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit, or restrain, this execrable commerce…he is now exciting these very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people on whom he obtruded them; thus paying off former crimes committed against the liberties of one people with crimes which he urges them to comm

    Report Post » wingedwolf  
    • rienheart
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:04am

      History repeating itself. Obama and his Administration is inciting the Welfare and lower Class to rise up and riot and demonstrate against the Rich by inciting Class Warfare. When “Civil War II”, begins it will be on Obama’s shoulders for starting it.

      Report Post »  
    • gldncat
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:47am

      Great post Wingedwolf! Thank you for sharing that. I only hope those who comment are able to read what you wrote. I would venture that almost no-one was taught this portion of the history of slavery. I also wonder how many people know that at least 1,500 free black men owned slaves here in the Colonies prior to the Civil War. I know they don’t teach that in schools…not PC and all that.

      Report Post » gldncat  
    • PAWatcher
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 5:06pm

      Great post, wonder if this info is on display along with the info of Jefferson being a slave owner. Or would that interfere with the objective.

      Report Post »  
    • Dudley Do-Right
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 6:53pm

      Some paragraphs in Jefferson’s draft were excised by the Congress, and historians have been decidedly unfair to Jefferson in ascribing his chagrin at these changes to mere personal pique and undue pride of authorship. High principle was often involved, and it was not personal pique that led
      his fellow committee member John Adams to fight tooth and nail against any changes in Jefferson’s draft. One critical paragraph condemned King George in the severest terms for establishing slavery in America. This paragraph boldly, clearly, and specifically applied the general doctrine of
      the inalienable rights of life and liberty to the ***** slaves:

      He [George III] has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur a miserable death in their transportation thither.
      . . . Determined to keep open a market where men should be bought and sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce.

      This paragraph, however, was excised at the insistence of the delegates from ardently proslavery Georgia and South Carolina, as well as by some northern reluctance to condemn a trade largely in the hands of northern merchants.

      Page 182 / 466
      http://mises.org/books/conceived4.pdf

      Report Post »  
    • cous1933
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:51pm

      Wingdwolf and Dudley Do-Right,
      Thank you for setting the record straight. Unfortunately I don’t think most people care that the record is straight, only that it is scandalous.
      Progressives distort the truth about people like Thomas Jefferson because he was the greatest champion of liberty in history and liberty interferes with their agenda.
      It is true that Jefferson inherited slaves and used slave labor, there is no denying that, but it is equally true that in that time there was no easy or practicable way to free slaves and that there was no bigger proponent for the end of slavery than Jefferson.
      There are volumes of Jeffersons own words that very clearly show his revulsion for slavery and constant attempts towards ending the institution and though it may be little consolation to those who insist on the unforgivability of being a slaveowner, Jefferson was reportedly very kind and indulgent towards his slaves.
      Before anyone makes any cracks about Sally Hemings here, please read David Bartons article at this link-

      http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=124

      -that shows that this is likely just more revisionist history designed to slander a truly moral and brilliant man. It is a shame that more people don’t know the truth about Jefferson because there is so much false information being taught as truth.

      Report Post » cous1933  
    • dnewton
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 4:04pm

      The Romans had a similar problem with laws that limited the number of slaves that could be freed. Charleston, South Carolina was considered by some to be socially unstable because the ratio of slave to non slave was so high. Some rebels were promised by Thomas Sumter a slave plus a few other things to take up arms against the British during the Revolutionary war.

      Report Post »  
  • BOMUSTGO
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:52am

    The Bible isn’t against slavery.

    Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:05am

      Really? Ever heard of Moses?

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:06am

      @BOMUSTGO
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:52am
      ‘The Bible isn’t against slavery.’
      ***************
      And neither are Glen’s creepy mountain people like you, apparently. We know.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:14am

      Moses was instructed on how to treat slaves.
      Leviticus 25:44-46 44. Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.
      45. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.
      46. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour.

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:17am

      The book of Philemon is a letter from Paul concerning a run away slave that is to be returned to his master.
      Philemon 1:15,16 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
      Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
      As can be seen, having servants (slaves) was not condemned in either of the Two testaments. There where many rules on how to treat the servants.

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:17am

      Colosians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

      Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:32am

      BO, you forgot, “God Hates ****”. (That’s a paraphrase, of course)

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • OccamsGun
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:43am

      BoMustGo is correct. I’m not arguing that we should reinstitute slavery but it is true that slavery was common at the time the Bible was written. Even the 10 Commandments explain that on the Sabbeth not only should not work but you can’t let your slaves work either. Obviously it accepted the fact that people had slaves and in many passages directs you how to treat them.

      I do feel human slavery is bad and, as I said, I don’t advocate it. However, slavery is not just something made up humans. There are species of ants that capture ants of another species and force them to take care of their coloney. This isn’t a symbiotic relationship because the enslaved ants gain nothing from the arrangement and lose their ability to propogate.

      Report Post »  
    • Applehead
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 1:50pm

      Jesus flat out said to treat your fellow man like I treated you! Come on, I’m white, but I can tell you that if you think its ok to enslave your fellow man or that slaves were treated well then your sick! They would sell children from families never to see them again and whip them, rape them! It makes angry! You can be a Christian and argue against that! The problem is Progressive/Marxists want to use this horrific time in our history to call all whites evil and to start racial division! Then you have black leaders and the hierarchy in the left more that willing to suppress and enslave blacks today for political and monetary gain. Pretty much barely anyone living here in this country had relatives that owned slaves. My family came to this country in the early 1900′s. Its used to Saul Alinsky the founding fathers to discredit the constitution!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Pickupabook
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 2:14pm

      Are you really trying to defend slavery?

      Report Post »  
    • Nlitend1
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 2:44pm

      nice one about moses, my favorite comment so far.
      I am a moderate conservative so I am probably not in agreement with 99% of what is said here, but I do think that distorting history is inevitably mired with frightening consequences. I have the utmost respect for the Smithsonian as an institution so I will give them the benefit of the doubt concerning their accuracy…nevertheless, if the exhibit is portrayed in a one-sided manner and leaves facts out, it is seriously concerning. I don’t think they have an obligation to give every fact (it is meant to be about slavery in this country not the history of the slavery or the world or existence), but it should communicate this history without an agenda, or ‘prejudice’. From what I’ve seen in the video and understand about history, this seems to be a fault in the exhibit, but without visiting it I would hesitate to call it an intentional act to disparage our founders or whites more generally. Our history should not be forgotten or altered to so that we can feel pride. We should embrace our good as well as our bad without fear or hesitation because it is how we evolve and learn as humans and as a society. Slavery was ugly and embarrassing scar on our country that we shouldn’t try to rationalize or excuse, and people that think it was beneficial to africans (and others) or think it was morally acceptable at any point in time should really question their common sense. It is this kind of thinking that can rationalize any inhuman

      Report Post »  
  • klevalt
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:52am

    Well, I guess the only way we can combat this is by creating an opposing view, then making the Smithsonian run THAT! I know that we have a LOT of braniacs who participate here… Me? Not so much, but I would love to assist with the meager knowledge base I have about history and give my input that way… What say all of you????

    Report Post » klevalt  
  • hersey10
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:48am

    This falls in line with the other disgraceful exhibits they have offered in the past .

    Report Post » hersey10  
  • Ready2Rumble
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:44am

    I’m sure the Smithsonian will do a wonderful job (wink, wink, nod, nod), too.

    Report Post » Ready2Rumble  
  • Dustyluv
    Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:44am

    Time to defund them…

    Report Post »  
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