The most impactful portion of class thus far, has been the discussion regarding Thomas Jefferson and his often contradictory positions regarding his racial ideologies. Thomas Jefferson, has gained acclaim as one of the true pioneers of American culture, shown through acts such as drafting the Declaration of Independence, and completing a full transition into the office of the Presidency, serving as the 3rd president of the United States. Although celebrated for these feats, Thomas Jefferson also is recognized as one of the most contradictory in terms of his positioning on race. The discussion that ensued was one about his beliefs in abolitionism, while at the same time making political moves that showed an underlying dissention for Africans, and positioned an inferiority claim regarding their physical capacities and psychological capabilities. The conversation that took place was to whether Jefferson was for the abolition of slavery or against it. I believe simply that Jefferson’s use of abolition was simply a political …show more content…
The mentality he shared along with them, can be linked generationally to some of the mentalities of the more affluent members of today’s society. Feelings of superiority seemed to shape the manners in which the United States was framed from all standpoints, political, economic and social. Legislation framed itself over the next century and a half to limit the progression of the Africans throughout society, and exposes repulsive truths about the decision makers in this country. The Black community is still currently economically disadvantaged and the social ramifications have never completely extinguished. There is a large conversation still to be had in current times regarding race, and Jefferson is just one of the examples that show how bigotry became ingrained in the American