Should Thomas Jefferson’s Alleged Slave Mistress Be Included in a List of First Ladies? MSNBC Host Thinks So

Should Thomas Jeffersons Alleged Slave Mistress Be Included in a List of First Ladies? MSNBC Host Thinks So

MSNBC Host

MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry, who is also a professor at Tulane University, recently had a CSPAN crew record her course The Role of First Ladies in US History.  And while that my sound non-controversial, Harris-Perry made sure it wasn‘t for long before she introduced the idea that Thomas Jefferson’s alleged mistress, Sally Hemmings, should be included in a list of First Ladies.

Harris-Perry introduced Hemings, Jefferson’s slave, as “our enslaved First Lady.”  Perry’s rationale is that since Jefferson might have sired children with Hemings, an account that some question and one that the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society refutes, she is entitled to the the title.

Still, Professor Perry states that Hemings “obviously had a multiple decade relationship with Jefferson” and that Jefferson was president some of that time.  Some of her students agreed with the premise, adding that Jefferson and his family all “considered her the First Lady.”  Perry notes that Hemings was never in the White House but regularly “sitting with and talking with people” at Monticello and not off in a corner somewhere.

Should Thomas Jeffersons Alleged Slave Mistress Be Included in a List of First Ladies? MSNBC Host Thinks So

Jefferson and the Holywood depiction of Hemings,from the movie 'Jefferson In Paris'

She then shows pictures of the “Hemings/Jefferson descendants.”  Noting that they are “clearly people who probably self-identify as white and some who self-identify” as people of color to buffer her point, Perry cites that all are “as a matter of DNA” Jefferson’s descendants. Perry doubles down (without citing specific evidence) and says of the picture: “these are the people who came from Sally Hemings and Jefferson.”  (Ignoring the fact there are those who argue DNA test only prove some of Heming‘s descendants came from someone in Jefferson’s family, not Jefferson himself.)

Should Thomas Jeffersons Alleged Slave Mistress Be Included in a List of First Ladies? MSNBC Host Thinks So

The controversial descendants of Jefferson

Perry then asks the class if there is anyone who does not consider Hemings as a First Lady.

One student semi-obliges, arguing that she “wants to call Hemings the First Lady” but since Jefferson’s daughter was officially playing that role it would be “difficult” to call her that officially.  Jefferson’s daughter, Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph, is the official first lady of historical record and replaced what would have been her mother in the position.  Mrs. Jefferson died 19 years before her husband became president.

Perry ended by arguing that a perspective of Jefferson and Hemings being in a “common law marriage” would change our image of who Jefferson was and what his presidency was about.

Perry hosts the Melissa Harris-Perry show on MSNBC that airs on the weekends.

Watch the discussion below:

 

Comments (143)

1 2 3 4
  • DarthMims
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:31pm

    If she gets thrown onto this list, I agree that Monica Lewinsky and Marilyn Monroe should at least be mentioned, along with a mistress for nearly every other president. While we are at it, throw in William Rufus King for James Buchanan’s first lady, even though he passed away some years before Buchanan was elected.

    Report Post » DarthMims  
    • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:38pm

      Don’t forget Lucy Mercer-Rutherford…FDR’s mistress.

      Alice Glass — LBJ

      Kay Summersby — Ike

      Report Post » Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • lawrench
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:43pm

      I agree. If you do it for one, do it for all. Does this mean that President Obama will have which golf course selected as his mistress? Or which vacation location? Or which basketball gym?

      Report Post » lawrench  
    • IsThereADifference
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:49pm

      This is SO STUPID!

      Report Post » IsThereADifference  
    • KyleD
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:02pm

      Exactly right. If mistresses are included in this you have to list them all and if the only qualification is being a rumored mistress you might as well list every single female and gay white house staffer.

      Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:05pm

      If she looked anything like the picture, Jefferson was a lucky man!

      Report Post » black9897  
    • michael48
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:27pm

      well then that makes chairman ocommie our second half-wit first lady…

      Report Post »  
    • Lee_in_PA
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:36pm

      Let’s not forget James Buchanan, the only batchelor president.

      Report Post » Lee_in_PA  
    • freeberty
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:49pm

      Honest Abe and his sleeping to keep warm buddies?

      Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:50pm

      Are all president’s such pigs?

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:55pm

      more proof liberals should not be allowed to speak.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • jsciai
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 2:46pm

      The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:50pm
      Are all president’s such pigs?
      ———-
      Goatling,
      not ALL presidents are pigs. Here is a small list of those who have not proven themselved unfaithful to the most important oath they have taken. Some right off the bat are:
      George Bush
      George W Bush
      Ronald Reagan
      Richard Nixon
      Jimmy Carter

      And there are many more. “Just as a matter of interest the following historical figures are KNOWN to have had extra-marital relationships. This includes none who were “rumored” to have had outside relationships.
      -
      George Washington (Known as ‘Father of His Country’ …for more than one reason.
      Thomas Jefferson
      Andrew Jackson
      Millard Fillmore
      James Buchanan
      Grover Cleveland (Kept a mistress in the White House!)
      James Buchanan
      Warren G. Harding
      Franklyn Delano Roosevelt
      Dwight David Eisenhower
      John F. Kennedy
      Lydon Baines Johnson
      and of course, Bill Clinton.”

      Report Post » jsciai  
    • skiz
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 3:01pm

      MRS PERRY, when you dont know your history it is a good idea to shut up! You sound like a moron…oh, you are.

      Report Post » skiz  
    • winin2012
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 3:11pm

      And include Obama‘s mistress’, Valerie Jarret and David Axlerod

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 3:19pm

      Then… Senator William Rufus King…. should be First Lady… to President James Buchanan… as they were a Gay Couple!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • code green
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 3:48pm

      What about Larry Sinclair for Obuma ?

      Report Post »  
    • crisnick
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 6:17pm

      I clearly don‘t know as much about presidents’ mistresses as some of the commenters, but as soon as I read the headline I thought, “Really? People being imperfect beings and all, I’m sure many presidents had mistresses.” Are we really going to try to record them all as First Ladies? Or just Hemmings, simply because she was black.”

      Report Post »  
    • pdw
      Posted on August 16, 2012 at 12:15am

      I might be wrong but I understand that thru DNA they say her children our not Jefferson’s. But I have not changed my records at this time as I have him in my family tree so will wait and see. If she is to be listed then all those other women can be considered to be first ladies then how many would we have? FDR would have at least one more.

      Report Post »  
    • TXMD
      Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:28pm

      only if the move includes first lady status to all of JFK’s, Clinton’s, and all the other presidents’ special friends…..

      Report Post » TXMD  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on August 17, 2012 at 9:36am

      Well I guess that would also make monica lewenski a first lady,a long with half dozen other women Clinton banged as well. I guess that would also make M. Monroe first lady also…..that would make s every mistress of every president a first lady…..Right I guess the leist of first lady will be triple that of presidents…right?

      Report Post »  
  • wisehiney
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:30pm

    “She conversed with people at Monticello….“ ”Can I get you a glass of Whiskey? Rub your saddlesores?”

    Report Post »  
  • bdandsl
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:29pm

    This woman is a racist through and through!

    Report Post » bdandsl  
  • Nuncle
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:29pm

    Then it would be logical that Marilynn Monroe would also make that list..

    Report Post »  
  • bdandsl
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:27pm

    I guess, if you are going to include misresses of past presidents, there will be many additions – including Marilyn Monroe & Monica Lewinskiy.

    Report Post » bdandsl  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:45pm

      Right on GONZO! If they want to include all the lovers of Presidents, we have to include Reggie Love along with all the others that we know about. LBJ was a known skirt chaser, but don’t know any of the names (his poor wife)
      Heck, it’s time to put two decent men in the office of President and Vice President who appear to be moral as well as capable of the job. R & R 2012 (kick the other jokers out)

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:26pm

    …
    We should be giving recognition to the Presidents who DID NOT have mistresses.

    Report Post »  
    • DarthMims
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:40pm

      I guess technically since James Buchanan never married, he never actually had a mistress. So that’s one.

      Report Post » DarthMims  
  • needmoinfo
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:24pm

    Interracial marriage was not legal at the time. Interracial common law marriage would therefore also not be legal at the time. There were a lot of male Jeffersons in the house and visitors remarked on the number of red headed slaves on his plantation. Anyone would be proud to be a decendant of a famous man. Just don’t rewrite history.

    Report Post »  
    • Rampart
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:32pm

      Genetic testing recently proved that it was, in fact, Jefferson’s BROTHER who had the affairs and sired the childred–Not Jefferson. This lady needs to grow up.

      Report Post » Rampart  
    • grandma7
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 5:32pm

      Rampart is correct….Brother‘s DNA not Jefferson’s!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Does First Ho count? Trying to rewrite history. All that garbage will be thrown out when a real president takes over in November.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • DarthMims
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:37pm

      And the Ministry of Truth purges the opinions page of the paper, right? No, I’m afraid that the festering swamp that George Washington sold the country will always have some garbage in it, as long as people have the freedom to say what they want about dead people.

      Report Post » DarthMims  
    • blackyb
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:59pm

      Maybe so, but the school text books will be scruitinized much better from here on out, you can bet on that.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • DarthMims
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:28pm

      The Ministry of Schoolbooks? Remember Texas did this a few years ago with mixed results.

      Report Post » DarthMims  
  • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Include Monroe and Lewinski and I’m down with it…sure.

    Report Post » Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
  • pap pap
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:20pm

    Think this through. If you could just **** your way onto the White House First Lady list there would be so many women in line that the president wouldn’t be able to get anything done. You know what? That would be great in Obama’s case.
    Barney Fwank would also be in line.

    Report Post »  
    • blackyb
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:00pm

      Read what Jim Sinclaire wrote. Obama seemed to prefer Old White men is how he got his start. Sounds about right.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:54pm

      BLACKYB Especially old white men with dentures. em‘ em’ em’

      Report Post »  
  • needmoinfo
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:19pm

    Hemmings was half sister to Jefferson’s wife. They say there was a resemblence. Regardless. Women come and go but few are chosen to wear the wedding ring. You are the wife or you are not the wife.

    Report Post »  
  • lizaz
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:16pm

    Were they married??? No??? Oh, of course, you don’t have to be married for anything any more. and as Momrules says above….MSNBC can put Monica with Hilary as dual first ladies!!!!! How absurd can these idiots get?????

    Report Post »  
  • NILAP
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:15pm

    If you include Marilyn Monroe I am all for it.

    Report Post » NILAP  
  • dadsrootbeer
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:15pm

    Of course she should be a first lady. Then we need to pay her family reparations.

    Report Post » dadsrootbeer  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:15pm

    Apparently according to that recent book, Kennedy had a bunch of 18 year old first ladies…….John boy em really young…….and hot.

    Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:14pm

    Cool, would that also include Marilyn Monroe and Monica Lewinsky? Since this liberal bunch claims some kind of superior intelligence.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • Popp40
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:11pm

    I looked at the title and I knew it was Melissa Harris – Perry. This lady preaches nothing but race, she is right up there with Al Sharpten and good old Jessie…..she is nothing but a race baiter. And the people who watch her fall for her everytime.

    Report Post »  
  • BRONZESTAR
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:08pm

    Speculation.
    Give me a break.
    Must be slow news day, only a couple shot in killed in Chicago area.

    Report Post » BRONZESTAR  
  • momrules
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:07pm

    Oh good grief. Then let’s claim Monica Lewinsky as co-First Lady with Hillary or Larry Sinclair co-First Ladyish with Michelle.

    Enough with the racial stupidity!! It is not amusing and teaches nothing of value.

    Report Post »  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 15, 2012 at 4:10pm

      Don’t forget first lady Marilyn Monroe. Hell, JFK probably had ten first ladies.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • pap pap
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:07pm

    I like this just for the issue that Michelle Obama wouldn’t then be the first black first lady (not capitlized on purpose out of respect for the position)

    Report Post »  
  • Jim
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:06pm

    Well in that case Kennedy and Clintons’ mistresses should be also.

    Report Post » Jim  
  • Bill Wallace
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:05pm

    Sure. Put her up there as a first lady.

    While we are at it, rumors were GWB and Condi were having an affair. Throw Condi up.
    And we all now Bill was getting spit and polished by Monica. Need to add her to that list.

    JFK was with Marilyn. Got to add her to the list as well.

    And while on that list, Lyndon Johnson, Warren Harding, James Garfield, and Franklin Roosevelt all had affairs in office that were proven.

    And from discussions with a former secret service, it is almost all of them who have affairs. Let’s just throw in everyone for good measure.

    Report Post »  
  • makeemstop
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:05pm

    Than… shouldn’t we also include:

    Clinton/Monica Lewinsky
    JFK/Marlyn Monroe
    Obama/Holder

    Just to name a few.

    Report Post » makeemstop  
  • PALEHORSE
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:04pm

    Can we also list Monica Lewenski and Marilyn Monroe?

    Report Post »  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:03pm

    Is Monica Lewinsky going to be added to this list? :)

    Report Post »  
1 2 3 4

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love