Good article on the founding and flaws of UVA
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Anonymous
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This is a well written article on a book authored by the Chief Historian for Monticello on TJ's founding of UVA. I'm sure there will be a great many negative posts but for anyone who's student is serious about attending UVA it is worth a read. It's also of note that this was on UVA's newsletter and written by a graduate which demonstrates they don't shy away from displaying the warts...not something that can be said for all schools. Now let the UVA hater's who won't bother to read it fire away.
https://www.thebulwark.com/the-contradictions-of-jeffersons-vision-for-an-american-university/ |
Anonymous
| I read it. There's a lot about how Jefferson shaped the university according to his beliefs, prejudices, etc. and not too much on the "messy realities" of the school. Nothing too earthshaking. My DC (entering 2nd year at UVA) is in a major that exposes its students to a lot of history about Jefferson and his school (it does seem very much like "his" school), in particular in relation to the treatment of Blacks, so at least my DC has some awareness about the less-than-admirable qualities of Jefferson and the school. |
Anonymous
| Just curious about how the PP thinks UVA is still Jefferson’s school. I don’t feel that way at all. There are a lot of UVA parents and alumni here. |
Anonymous
| And let’s be honest and clear: most, if not all, colleges or other large building projects of the time used slave labor. In an effort to be transparent about UVA’s past, let’s place that past in appropriate context and not pretend that UVA is or TJ was some heinous actor. Let’s not play armchair cancel culture. UVA and TJ are better than that. Hopefully, the posters here are too. |
Anonymous
| NP-not sure PP really read the article..."messy" is literally in the title. TJ was defiantly flawed and a trip to Monticello does not hide that fact. I wonder how they will view us in 200 years? Self righteousness is never a winning formula. |
Anonymous
Many, many people still feel that way. |
Anonymous
No, no they don't...It's looked at as an outstanding public institution steeped in history. Of course TJ is a prominent figure, he founded the frigging place but to try to equate the student body with early 19th century mentality is ignorant and stupid. The article outlines a 350 page book and highlights the flaws of TJ both with slavery and his absolute disdain for theology to be taught in schools (which was the norm of the day). One would think that that many on this site that bash institutions with foundations based in theology would find that refreshing. |
Anonymous
Yes. They created a memorial next to the rotunda for the enslaved who were forced to live and work there. They talk about it on the tours. Some alumni are mad that they don’t pay homage to TJ anymore. I’m not sure how anyone could think it’s still TJ’s university. They’ve activity tried to both acknowledge his flaws and downplay his importance in the day to day. |
Anonymous
It's like believing that Stanford has issues because its founder was an unscrupulous robber baron. |
Anonymous
You should see how he treated the Native Americans...that would cause a tizzy... |
Anonymous
| So, so true. While you’re at it, do Elihu Yale. |
Anonymous
My DD attends UVA and will be the first person to tell you she hates Jefferson... for all the reasons stated in the article. She is not alone, and they are still attending what has become a great school. There is no Jefferson worship anymore. The school is very much working to downplay the TJ aspect of the school and actively educating on both his flaws and the positives that he did. |
Anonymous
| Stupid post. |
Anonymous
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Stanford was an amazing fellow.
https://cal170.library.ca.gov/californias-long-war-of-extermination/ |
Anonymous
| Duke wouldn't be Duke without tobacco. |