University of Virginia suspends tours that had come under fire for mentioning Thomas Jefferson's ties to slavery

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Ours required a moment of silence. People in the tour looked so confused.

Sounds like a few rogue student guides. Not our experience at all.

? It’s literally in the news that UVA adjusted their tours. I highly doubt it was a few rogue guides. Either way, my child isn’t applying. Damage done.

Whatever will they do without your child?

You seriously think it is in UVA’s interest to have tours that turn kids off from applying? You’re being absurd.

For every kid turned off, there are plenty who become more interested, or don’t really care either way. If it really deterred your kid from applying, then it just wasn’t the right school for them. There are thousands upon thousands of others happy to take their place.

I don't think so. The international crowd really doesn't want to hear too much positive or negative about history. Either way they would feel unwelcomed. They likely expect some reference but really care more about the classes, teachers, campus life, and notable achievements of the university in the present.

I’m sure Youngkin’s appointees to the Board of Trustees totally care what the international crowd wants to hear.

Look in the mirror at your own bias. At the root is some sort of superiority need not anything actually useful. You are not that special or woke. Tons of other universities acknowledge history without such an agenda.

What agenda?

I’m definitely not special or woke. I haven’t been on one of these tours yet, but my kid scheduled one in October, so I can’t fully comment on the content until then. But I’m an alum who always found the over-the-top Jefferson worship a bit puzzling, and the downplaying of racial tensions on Grounds a bit troubling, so if the next generation wants to work on that, I say good for them.

You went to a school founded by Jefferson and you can't understand why they are excited about him? They failed you, and you failed yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA alum here.
The University Guides serve a purpose to provide campus tours to prospective students which includes historically accurate info on the founding of the school. If your kiddos don’t like to hear that slaves built UVA, then perhaps they aren’t ready for the academic rigor of UVA and the growth that only comes from mature intellectual conversations based on the truth. You can’t shield them from it no matter how hard you try.

The tours at Monticello now finally tell the true story of Sally Hemmings. For decades, her quarters were closed off, and they only used part of it for public restroom, but they finally invested millions of dollars to restore back to the way it was because the story needs to be told.
https://www.monticello.org/sallyhemings/

The African-American History Museum in Washington, DC tells the true story of Thomas Jefferson.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-dark-side-of-thomas-jefferson-35976004/

What is UVA so scared off?
Oh maybe that the kiddos will form their own opinions on these topics?

The fact that you continue to call college-aged students "kiddos" is so telling. Monticello is an appropriate place to tell the story of Sally Hemmings. A UVA tour might mention that the school was built by slaves. But to focus an entire COLLEGE tour on racism?? Sorry, no. That is incredibly misguided. Glad to see the pendulum is finally swinging back to the middle.

For the most part these kids are all dependents relying on parents to pay their way through the world but it's one thing to pay 30K for your kids to be educated, it's another to pay that to have your kids be indoctrinated.

Oh no! Better not have your kid learn about the inequalities in the world.

They don't need to pay $40k to $90k a year to learn about that. In fact paying any money at all for that is a sign of low intelligence.

Right. Because that’s the only thing they will learn there.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Ours required a moment of silence. People in the tour looked so confused.

Sounds like a few rogue student guides. Not our experience at all.

? It’s literally in the news that UVA adjusted their tours. I highly doubt it was a few rogue guides. Either way, my child isn’t applying. Damage done.

Whatever will they do without your child?

You seriously think it is in UVA’s interest to have tours that turn kids off from applying? You’re being absurd.

For every kid turned off, there are plenty who become more interested, or don’t really care either way. If it really deterred your kid from applying, then it just wasn’t the right school for them. There are thousands upon thousands of others happy to take their place.

I don't think so. The international crowd really doesn't want to hear too much positive or negative about history. Either way they would feel unwelcomed. They likely expect some reference but really care more about the classes, teachers, campus life, and notable achievements of the university in the present.

I’m sure Youngkin’s appointees to the Board of Trustees totally care what the international crowd wants to hear.

Look in the mirror at your own bias. At the root is some sort of superiority need not anything actually useful. You are not that special or woke. Tons of other universities acknowledge history without such an agenda.

What agenda?

I’m definitely not special or woke. I haven’t been on one of these tours yet, but my kid scheduled one in October, so I can’t fully comment on the content until then. But I’m an alum who always found the over-the-top Jefferson worship a bit puzzling, and the downplaying of racial tensions on Grounds a bit troubling, so if the next generation wants to work on that, I say good for them.

You went to a school founded by Jefferson and you can't understand why they are excited about him? They failed you, and you failed yourself.

I do think I chose the wrong school. The tour must have been really good (although I don’t remember anything about it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Ours required a moment of silence. People in the tour looked so confused.

Sounds like a few rogue student guides. Not our experience at all.

? It’s literally in the news that UVA adjusted their tours. I highly doubt it was a few rogue guides. Either way, my child isn’t applying. Damage done.

Whatever will they do without your child?

You seriously think it is in UVA’s interest to have tours that turn kids off from applying? You’re being absurd.

For every kid turned off, there are plenty who become more interested, or don’t really care either way. If it really deterred your kid from applying, then it just wasn’t the right school for them. There are thousands upon thousands of others happy to take their place.

I don't think so. The international crowd really doesn't want to hear too much positive or negative about history. Either way they would feel unwelcomed. They likely expect some reference but really care more about the classes, teachers, campus life, and notable achievements of the university in the present.

I’m sure Youngkin’s appointees to the Board of Trustees totally care what the international crowd wants to hear.

Look in the mirror at your own bias. At the root is some sort of superiority need not anything actually useful. You are not that special or woke. Tons of other universities acknowledge history without such an agenda.

What agenda?

I’m definitely not special or woke. I haven’t been on one of these tours yet, but my kid scheduled one in October, so I can’t fully comment on the content until then. But I’m an alum who always found the over-the-top Jefferson worship a bit puzzling, and the downplaying of racial tensions on Grounds a bit troubling, so if the next generation wants to work on that, I say good for them.

You went to a school founded by Jefferson and you can't understand why they are excited about him? They failed you, and you failed yourself.

“Excited by him”? So creepy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It’s not “mention,” it’s “entire focus” of the tour.

Big difference. I am sure the kinds of tours provided at Mount Vernon, which are comprehensive but not agenda- driven woke, will still be given at uva

The “agenda” of acknowledging slavery and fighting racism?

Right. Neither should appear on the agenda when one adult shows another adult the present-day features of a school.

Perseverating on Sally Hemmings 400 years ago does not "fight racism" today. And like PP said, "acknowledging" something from 400 years ago is performative bullshit, because there isn't a high school student in the northern hemisphere who is unaware that slavery occurred.

Really? Seems like a lot of people are pretending like it - and racist policies - never happened.

Look at all of the people fighting racial diversity college admissions.

Yes using race in college admissions is unconstitutional.

Wrong. Elitists hoarding opportunities will only lead to more inequality, less inclusion.

Feel free to push for a constitutional amendment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Why didn’t you want to acknowledge the land?

What land in Virginia wasn’t indigenous?

Correct. They are acknowledging that.

Do you expect your grocery store to do this? The metro?

They do in places like Australia

Who here is doing college tours in Australia?

It was in response to grocery stores no colleges. Can u read?

We. Aren’t. Australia. Thankfully. Their lack of free speech and association have made them a laughing stock in the news these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not “mention,” it’s “entire focus” of the tour.

Big difference. I am sure the kinds of tours provided at Mount Vernon, which are comprehensive but not agenda- driven woke, will still be given at uva

The “agenda” of acknowledging slavery and fighting racism?

Right. Neither should appear on the agenda when one adult shows another adult the present-day features of a school.

Perseverating on Sally Hemmings 400 years ago does not "fight racism" today. And like PP said, "acknowledging" something from 400 years ago is performative bullshit, because there isn't a high school student in the northern hemisphere who is unaware that slavery occurred.

Really? Seems like a lot of people are pretending like it - and racist policies - never happened.

Look at all of the people fighting racial diversity college admissions.

Yes using race in college admissions is unconstitutional.

Wrong. Elitists hoarding opportunities will only lead to more inequality, less inclusion.

Feel free to push for a constitutional amendment.

Not with the current right-wing, corrupt SCOTUS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Ours required a moment of silence. People in the tour looked so confused.

Sounds like a few rogue student guides. Not our experience at all.

? It’s literally in the news that UVA adjusted their tours. I highly doubt it was a few rogue guides. Either way, my child isn’t applying. Damage done.

Whatever will they do without your child?

You seriously think it is in UVA’s interest to have tours that turn kids off from applying? You’re being absurd.

For every kid turned off, there are plenty who become more interested, or don’t really care either way. If it really deterred your kid from applying, then it just wasn’t the right school for them. There are thousands upon thousands of others happy to take their place.

I don't think so. The international crowd really doesn't want to hear too much positive or negative about history. Either way they would feel unwelcomed. They likely expect some reference but really care more about the classes, teachers, campus life, and notable achievements of the university in the present.

I’m sure Youngkin’s appointees to the Board of Trustees totally care what the international crowd wants to hear.

Look in the mirror at your own bias. At the root is some sort of superiority need not anything actually useful. You are not that special or woke. Tons of other universities acknowledge history without such an agenda.

What agenda?

I’m definitely not special or woke. I haven’t been on one of these tours yet, but my kid scheduled one in October, so I can’t fully comment on the content until then. But I’m an alum who always found the over-the-top Jefferson worship a bit puzzling, and the downplaying of racial tensions on Grounds a bit troubling, so if the next generation wants to work on that, I say good for them.

You went to a school founded by Jefferson and you can't understand why they are excited about him? They failed you, and you failed yourself.

“Excited by him”? So creepy.

Every school that has a famous founder touts him, idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA alum here.
The University Guides serve a purpose to provide campus tours to prospective students which includes historically accurate info on the founding of the school. If your kiddos don’t like to hear that slaves built UVA, then perhaps they aren’t ready for the academic rigor of UVA and the growth that only comes from mature intellectual conversations based on the truth. You can’t shield them from it no matter how hard you try.

The tours at Monticello now finally tell the true story of Sally Hemmings. For decades, her quarters were closed off, and they only used part of it for public restroom, but they finally invested millions of dollars to restore back to the way it was because the story needs to be told.
https://www.monticello.org/sallyhemings/

The African-American History Museum in Washington, DC tells the true story of Thomas Jefferson.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-dark-side-of-thomas-jefferson-35976004/

What is UVA so scared off?
Oh maybe that the kiddos will form their own opinions on these topics?

The fact that you continue to call college-aged students "kiddos" is so telling. Monticello is an appropriate place to tell the story of Sally Hemmings. A UVA tour might mention that the school was built by slaves. But to focus an entire COLLEGE tour on racism?? Sorry, no. That is incredibly misguided. Glad to see the pendulum is finally swinging back to the middle.

For the most part these kids are all dependents relying on parents to pay their way through the world but it's one thing to pay 30K for your kids to be educated, it's another to pay that to have your kids be indoctrinated.

Oh no! Better not have your kid learn about the inequalities in the world.

They don't need to pay $40k to $90k a year to learn about that. In fact paying any money at all for that is a sign of low intelligence.

Next they’ll ban books about Jeffersons role in slavery. GTFOH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVA alum here.
The University Guides serve a purpose to provide campus tours to prospective students which includes historically accurate info on the founding of the school. If your kiddos don’t like to hear that slaves built UVA, then perhaps they aren’t ready for the academic rigor of UVA and the growth that only comes from mature intellectual conversations based on the truth. You can’t shield them from it no matter how hard you try.

The tours at Monticello now finally tell the true story of Sally Hemmings. For decades, her quarters were closed off, and they only used part of it for public restroom, but they finally invested millions of dollars to restore back to the way it was because the story needs to be told.
https://www.monticello.org/sallyhemings/

The African-American History Museum in Washington, DC tells the true story of Thomas Jefferson.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-dark-side-of-thomas-jefferson-35976004/

What is UVA so scared off?
Oh maybe that the kiddos will form their own opinions on these topics?

The fact that you continue to call college-aged students "kiddos" is so telling. Monticello is an appropriate place to tell the story of Sally Hemmings. A UVA tour might mention that the school was built by slaves. But to focus an entire COLLEGE tour on racism?? Sorry, no. That is incredibly misguided. Glad to see the pendulum is finally swinging back to the middle.

I toured UVA with my kid last year and slavery was mentioned, but it was not the entire tour, nor a major focus. Many of these posters are wildly exaggerating and some may have their own agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of positive and negative sentences about the man is fine along with the history of when it was built. After 5 minutes of that you better start talking about the campus life and why I should pay to send my child here. And that goes for any college tour.

If you reserved in advance to travel whatever distance to go on a college tour, I'm pretty sure (or at least hope) you have a good idea what the college offers. People that expect some deal making or breaking sales pitch from guides that are kids about the same age as yours? Do you go to car dealerships in your other free time?

Yes, you're allowed to ask questions to whatever you're curious about and yes, maybe your proud to be a Hoo guide could be as forthcoming about the negatives of campus life as they were of the positives like ours was. It was very insightful to know that where our tour ended was above where the slaves used to sleep and the place where hoodless white grown men unashamedly showed their faces and tried to take over a college campus to defend what again? Is the tour guide free to discuss this? Or should they stick to how the Bros can't wait to rush? Don't worry that was also covered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well.. he did own slaves and actually SAd at least one of them. so..

Truth is true

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Ours required a moment of silence. People in the tour looked so confused.

Sounds like a few rogue student guides. Not our experience at all.

? It’s literally in the news that UVA adjusted their tours. I highly doubt it was a few rogue guides. Either way, my child isn’t applying. Damage done.

Whatever will they do without your child?

You seriously think it is in UVA’s interest to have tours that turn kids off from applying? You’re being absurd.

For every kid turned off, there are plenty who become more interested, or don’t really care either way. If it really deterred your kid from applying, then it just wasn’t the right school for them. There are thousands upon thousands of others happy to take their place.

I don't think so. The international crowd really doesn't want to hear too much positive or negative about history. Either way they would feel unwelcomed. They likely expect some reference but really care more about the classes, teachers, campus life, and notable achievements of the university in the present.

I’m sure Youngkin’s appointees to the Board of Trustees totally care what the international crowd wants to hear.

Look in the mirror at your own bias. At the root is some sort of superiority need not anything actually useful. You are not that special or woke. Tons of other universities acknowledge history without such an agenda.

What agenda?

I’m definitely not special or woke. I haven’t been on one of these tours yet, but my kid scheduled one in October, so I can’t fully comment on the content until then. But I’m an alum who always found the over-the-top Jefferson worship a bit puzzling, and the downplaying of racial tensions on Grounds a bit troubling, so if the next generation wants to work on that, I say good for them.

You went to a school founded by Jefferson and you can't understand why they are excited about him? They failed you, and you failed yourself.

“Excited by him”? So creepy.

Every school that has a famous founder touts him, idiot.

Oh, if only every public school kid in Virginia didn't already knows ole Tommy boy was a philanderer. Think of the tour as a refresher on how numerous presidents couldn't seem to keep their pants from dropping to their ankles when confronted with unequal power relationships. Used to be at least your kind of good ole boy would turn their nose if not impeach sitting presidents for less than this but I guess you need to legitimate Orange as your exemplar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Ours required a moment of silence. People in the tour looked so confused.

Sounds like a few rogue student guides. Not our experience at all.

? It’s literally in the news that UVA adjusted their tours. I highly doubt it was a few rogue guides. Either way, my child isn’t applying. Damage done.

Whatever will they do without your child?

You seriously think it is in UVA’s interest to have tours that turn kids off from applying? You’re being absurd.

For every kid turned off, there are plenty who become more interested, or don’t really care either way. If it really deterred your kid from applying, then it just wasn’t the right school for them. There are thousands upon thousands of others happy to take their place.

I don't think so. The international crowd really doesn't want to hear too much positive or negative about history. Either way they would feel unwelcomed. They likely expect some reference but really care more about the classes, teachers, campus life, and notable achievements of the university in the present.

I’m sure Youngkin’s appointees to the Board of Trustees totally care what the international crowd wants to hear.

Look in the mirror at your own bias. At the root is some sort of superiority need not anything actually useful. You are not that special or woke. Tons of other universities acknowledge history without such an agenda.

What agenda?

I’m definitely not special or woke. I haven’t been on one of these tours yet, but my kid scheduled one in October, so I can’t fully comment on the content until then. But I’m an alum who always found the over-the-top Jefferson worship a bit puzzling, and the downplaying of racial tensions on Grounds a bit troubling, so if the next generation wants to work on that, I say good for them.

Then you haven't been on a tour and are commenting from your own bias

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought our UVA tour was awkward. We walked by one set of dorms, saw the inside of one building, then spent the rest of the time standing on the Lawn while the guide talked about how racist the community was. Learned very little about the school. The strangest tour we had.

You forgot the part where we had to acknowledge the indigenous people whose land we were trodding upon.

Ours required a moment of silence. People in the tour looked so confused.

Sounds like a few rogue student guides. Not our experience at all.

? It’s literally in the news that UVA adjusted their tours. I highly doubt it was a few rogue guides. Either way, my child isn’t applying. Damage done.

Whatever will they do without your child?

You seriously think it is in UVA’s interest to have tours that turn kids off from applying? You’re being absurd.

For every kid turned off, there are plenty who become more interested, or don’t really care either way. If it really deterred your kid from applying, then it just wasn’t the right school for them. There are thousands upon thousands of others happy to take their place.

I don't think so. The international crowd really doesn't want to hear too much positive or negative about history. Either way they would feel unwelcomed. They likely expect some reference but really care more about the classes, teachers, campus life, and notable achievements of the university in the present.

I’m sure Youngkin’s appointees to the Board of Trustees totally care what the international crowd wants to hear.

Look in the mirror at your own bias. At the root is some sort of superiority need not anything actually useful. You are not that special or woke. Tons of other universities acknowledge history without such an agenda.

What agenda?

I’m definitely not special or woke. I haven’t been on one of these tours yet, but my kid scheduled one in October, so I can’t fully comment on the content until then. But I’m an alum who always found the over-the-top Jefferson worship a bit puzzling, and the downplaying of racial tensions on Grounds a bit troubling, so if the next generation wants to work on that, I say good for them.

You went to a school founded by Jefferson and you can't understand why they are excited about him? They failed you, and you failed yourself.

“Excited by him”? So creepy.

Every school that has a famous founder touts him, idiot.

What’s another example of a school with a famous founder who touts them as passionately as UVA once exalted TJ?