she5los reblogged
Jefferson defenders: Yeah, Jefferson owned slaves, but so did all the other members of the southern elite.
Me: But John Laurens though
Jefferson defenders: Yeah, Jefferson was kind of racist, but everyone was really racist back then.
Me: But John Laurens though
Jefferson defenders: Jefferson said a couple of things about ending slavery.
Me: But John Laurens though
Jefferson defenders: Jefferson was just a product of his time. He was raised in an era where slavery was acceptable, and racism was inherent to that institution. That's just how things were.
Me: BUT JOHN LAURENS THOUGH
#Thomas Jefferson#John Laurens#Also Alexander Hamilton#We have no proof that he ever owned slaves#and he suggested that no one should be allowed in his anti-slavery group if they owned slaves#(which got shot down but he tried)#He wrote viciously against slaveholders - including after Laurens' death#Then there's Jefferson's long-term abusive relationship with Sally Hemmings#Because consent is not possible when you legally own someone and their entire family#Someone can be a shitty human being and still produce good things that make the world a better place#Jefferson was an excellent writer and philosophizer and also a huge hypocrate