Thomas Jefferson was an America Founding Father, a vice-President to John Adams and the third President of the United States. The principal writer of the Declaration of Independence and the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, gave Thomas Jefferson the attention he loved. From the interviews of the different people, Julian Bond and Jan Lewis were the ones I chose.
Jan Lewis thought of Thomas Jefferson as that family member that no one really likes at times, but because he is family, she has no choice really but to love him. It does not really make Jefferson sound that great, but despite all he was. Thomas Jefferson was an exceptional man that strived to create an equal atmosphere, and a prosperous America. Thomas Jefferson …show more content…
However there are a few things that hold him back from being the greatest American among us. Ironically he said “all men are created equal”, yet he owned slaves. Julian Bond has respect for Jefferson but he too agrees that this act holds him back in a way. It’s like a black dot that can never be erased. He probably meant that all white men are created equal. That it doesn’t matter from what European country they were from, they were all equal under the law. However, he said “all men”, this is why history sometimes judges Thomas Jefferson. The fact that he owned slaves made him see African Americans less. I believe that he didn’t think having sexual relation with the mixed slave, Sally Hemings, would affect him as much. The history books don’t really address whether he forced himself upon her, or she did it willingly. In reality it doesn’t matter if she was for it or not, he still owned slaves and cheated on his wife. These are two of the reasons why Thomas Jefferson is held back. At the time though, this was normal so that can be his justification for committing these acts.
Despite all, Thomas Jefferson is an American hero. What he accomplished for America and for himself gives him merit for us to remind ourselves of what a good man he was. I found it interesting how he passed down the desk or how he treated women differently when he was in public or private. Both Jan Lewis, and Julian Bond have mixed feelings for him both good and
Jan Lewis thought of Thomas Jefferson as that family member that no one really likes at times, but because he is family, she has no choice really but to love him. It does not really make Jefferson sound that great, but despite all he was. Thomas Jefferson was an exceptional man that strived to create an equal atmosphere, and a prosperous America. Thomas Jefferson …show more content…
However there are a few things that hold him back from being the greatest American among us. Ironically he said “all men are created equal”, yet he owned slaves. Julian Bond has respect for Jefferson but he too agrees that this act holds him back in a way. It’s like a black dot that can never be erased. He probably meant that all white men are created equal. That it doesn’t matter from what European country they were from, they were all equal under the law. However, he said “all men”, this is why history sometimes judges Thomas Jefferson. The fact that he owned slaves made him see African Americans less. I believe that he didn’t think having sexual relation with the mixed slave, Sally Hemings, would affect him as much. The history books don’t really address whether he forced himself upon her, or she did it willingly. In reality it doesn’t matter if she was for it or not, he still owned slaves and cheated on his wife. These are two of the reasons why Thomas Jefferson is held back. At the time though, this was normal so that can be his justification for committing these acts.
Despite all, Thomas Jefferson is an American hero. What he accomplished for America and for himself gives him merit for us to remind ourselves of what a good man he was. I found it interesting how he passed down the desk or how he treated women differently when he was in public or private. Both Jan Lewis, and Julian Bond have mixed feelings for him both good and