Inferiority to Enslavement

“Thomas Jefferson on the African Race,” an excerpt from Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson himself, expresses his beliefs, or what he held to be true of Africans/blacks and the whites and their place in the world. After reading the excerpt in depth, I have inferred that Jefferson views people of color as inferior to white people. Although he gives multiple reasons for his beliefs, it is clear that these are mere opinions that are unjust and racist. As quoted by Voelker, “Jefferson believed God created Africans with the same inalienable rights as deserved by whites” (1). Although he believed blacks should have rights, it is understood that he sees “privilege in white,” meaning that with unfair judgment, it is clear to him that whites are superior to blacks and will always be. It is unfortunate that even modern society, this ideology is present. Furthermore, it is beliefs such as these that reveal racism is still present in today’s world. A
More importantly, Jefferson has stated that beyond inferiority, blacks are at least as brave as whites, and are adventuresome; the reason that he gives for this supposition, is a want of forethought, which prevents the seeing of danger until it is present. “When present, they do not go through it with more coolness or steadiness than the whites,” (1). What Jefferson is inferring is that blacks are blind of danger and that our ignorance is what makes us as brave and adventuresome to the whites. Moreover, as a slaveholder, it is quite ironic that he felt the slavery was wrong and against human nature. According to Voelker, “Jefferson decried slavery as a “cruel war against human nature itself,” which “violated sacred rights of the life and liberty” (1). Conflicting with his ideas about the African race, it is clear that Jefferson has mixed feelings about slavery. Furthermore, this is what led me mass confusion because Jefferson seemed to speak so lowly of the blacks, was a slaveholder, and at the same time opposed the credentials of slavery.
“To our reproach it must be said, that though for a century and a half we have had under our eyes the races of black and of red men, they have never yet been viewed by us as subjects of natural history” (Jefferson, 2). Comparing the black people to the whites, Jefferson also stated that, “Many millions of them have been brought to, and born in America. Most of them indeed have been confined to tillage, to their own homes, and their own society: yet many have been so situated, that they might have availed themselves of the conversation of their masters; many have been brought up to the handicraft arts, and from that circumstance have always been associated with the whites” (2). Without doubt, Jefferson is giving credit to the white man for the knowledge or arts of the blacks. To an extent, it is understandable how the blacks may have gained knowledge from their masters, but blacks were also “people” before slavery and were accustomed to things of their own. Throughout the excerpt, Thomas Jefferson is blatantly underestimating the black race, but using terminology to look as if he is acknowledging them. Therefore, for these reasons he did not free his slaves. For Jefferson felt strongly about the evils of slavery, but ironically had stronger beliefs as to the inferiority of the black people, which revealed his mixed feelings about enslavement.

Work Cited

Jefferson, Thomas. “Thomas Jefferson on the Race 1781,” Notes on the State of Virginia, Accessed Feb. 4 2011: 1-2

1. 

   ayoung918 Said:

   on February 11, 2011 at 4:10 am

   Wow Ms. Francis your comment about Jefferson’s note is very insightful. And I have to say that I agree with you totally. I agree that Jefferson does feel that blacks are inferior to the white man and that basically we can not think for ourselves. The support that you used about how he says we are all suppose to have these supposed “inalienable rights” but then he turns around and says we’re inferior and also says that he has slaves shows that he does have mixed feelings. So i do agree with you strongly about all of your approaches.

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2. 

   tamalynp Said:

   on February 25, 2011 at 3:30 am

   Thanks for your post, Ms. Francis! You bring up some very intriguing points. Please keep that up!

   Good job on going above and beyond in your requirements. Your citations and your Work Cited entry are also good, overall. This is a great attempt. Just remember your punctuations and how they relate to formatting.

   Keep up the good work!

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