Anonymous wrote:I went there for law school 8 years ago, and it seemed like some people (especially white people that went there for undergrad too) were doing some Jefferson worship. It was pretty gross. I’m pretty much grossed out by hero worship of anyone, so I have a low tolerance. It definitely disgusted some people of color, who made some comments and posts about Jefferson.

One thing that comes to mind is all these “special” traditions (like not calling people freshman etc and instead referring them to as first years etc, secret societies, students honored by spending a year living in the lawn). They are always explained with these glowing statements about Jefferson, his creativity and openness to learning, and his beliefs about education. It made it feel like everything is deeply rooted in the past and Jefferson is still a huge influence.

Also, when I toured Monticello, they did mention Sally Hemings, but tried to play down the whole lack of consent issue/that it could only have been rape. It was a quick explanation, the focus was on that she was his wife’s half-sister, that he freed their children together and had the daughters pass as white, and that he was a creature of his time but perhaps did better than others. I get that tours (often with children) may not be a comfortable place for long explanations about the atrocities slaves endured, but I thought maybe they could have done it better. It’s hard for me to hear rape and enslavement being brushed off as “flaws.”

Hope things have gotten better since I was there.

Anonymous wrote:Yawn. All of the people involved are dead now. Not sure what people today are supposed to do about any of this.

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Anonymous wrote: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.

Many, many people still feel that way.

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.

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.

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Anonymous wrote: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.

Many, many people still feel that way.

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.

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.

Hate is a strong word especially for someone that attends a university founded by those they "hate" and a founding father of this nation that they live in. I won't try to ascertain why your daughter has hate for someone that has been dead for 200 years other than a lack of tolerance and perspective of history but that's for her to figure out. There never was Jefferson "worship" simply an acknowledgement that at the end of his life he founded a secular public university (which was against the norms of the times) in his state that he loved so dearly. TJ will never be "downplayed" at UVA as you so inarticulately stated...pointing out that the founder had flaws is not downplaying, it is providing historical accuracy and truth to the man. If anything TJ will continue to be a prominent figure on campus and those that choose to "hate" him will be able to vocally due so due to his vision for this country and the rights stated in the Constitution.

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Anonymous wrote:Other books have been written about the horrific history of slavery at this school.

You are an idiot. All of the NE schools include dong my alma mater Harvard were built with slave labor

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Anonymous wrote:Stanford was an amazing fellow.

https://cal170.library.ca.gov/californias-long-war-of-extermination/

West coast too, but Stanford was straight up genocide to advance his wealth and greed but you know HYPMS...frigging hypocrites.[/quote

+1. Before anyone posts further please read up on Slave issues with American colleges northeast. You may be surprised. Also Georgetown has a hideous past of priests selling more than 200 slaves who helped build it. Educate yourself before criticism uva (which has done a lot in recent years to recognize the slaves who helped build it.