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Thomas Jefferson, being an attorney, represented both African-American and white people. He thought of African-American people as inferior as against white. He, however, admired the black people for their musical inclination and ability. African-American people, according to Jefferson, do not have strong bonds for love as compared with the white people. On the other hand, he thought that white people are more superior when it comes to decisive reasoning. White people, according to Jefferson, have stronger connection with love. Jefferson’s belief is that white Americans and the African-American are two divided nations. These people cannot withstand living collectively in one and same country .
How did Jefferson use slaves and how did he treat them at Monticello?
Thomas Jefferson never encouraged slavery throughout his life. He is a constant enemy of the African-American slavery and thought that such unfair treatment hampers the success of a great nation. With such kind of conduct to African-Americans, this will annihilate the industriousness of black man. At Monticello, he experimented on to treat the black people without the need for harsh punishment. He offered tips and incentives to optimize their capabilities and further motivate the people. He did not encourage whipping and flogging. Except for cases of fighting and stealing, he could not take whipping as a form of punishment. The only grave punishment that he supported was selling a slave. If a slave is a constant trouble-maker and runway, he will sell them to a distant place as a supreme reprimand .
Examine his attitudes on race and slavery in light of the likely possibility that Jefferson fathered children with his slave Sally Hemings.
Many people, as well as analysts, are critically questioning his sincerity when it comes to playing down on the treatment of the African-American people. His stand on not supporting slavery is doubtful because of the rumor that he fathered seven children with Sally Hemings. Some of the accounts also described that Thomas Jefferson did not free Sally Heming as slave. He freed his children from Hemings and did not give any freedom to any other family. This accusation to Jefferson stained his reputation of being a follower of democracy. Apparently, according to studies, he only did favor the controlled treatment of slavery because of his sexual relationship with Sally Heming. This action also put blemished on his character and further typecast negative thoughts about Thomas Jefferson as a sincere protector of African-Americans .
Works Cited
Landscape of Slavery: Mulberry Row at Monticello. 2014. Web. 29 December 2013.
Magnis, N. "Thomas Jefferson and Slavery: An Analysis of His Racist Thinking as Revealed by His Writings and Political Behavior." Journal of Black Studies, vol.29, no.4 (1999): 491-509. Document.
Turner, R. The Jefferson-Hemings Controversy. Reports of the Scholars Commission. North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2011. Document.
