Revolution.

What a great discussion today in 3rd hour (and to a lesser extent in 6th) about Jefferson's "all men are created equal."

Lincoln's words about the Declaration: "Ibelieve the entire records of the world, from the date of the Declaration of Independence up to within three years ago, may be searched in vain for one single affirmation, from one single man, that the negro was not included in the Declaration of Independence. I think I may defy Judge Douglas to show that he ever said so, that Washington ever said so, that any President ever said so, that any member of Congress ever said so…. And I will remind Judge Douglas and this audience, that while Mr. Jefferson was the owner of slaves, as undoubtedly he was, in speaking upon this very subject, he used the strong language that "he trembled for his country when he remembered that God was just."

Jefferson's words always inspire controversy. How could a slaveowner write these words? Was Jefferson a hypocrite? Was he a product of his time? As I explained to the class, the discussion illustrates the complicate nature of race in American history from the very beginning. To understand Jefferson is to understand, in some measure, the issue of race and the role it has played in shaping our nation.