From: Ascmjk@aol.com
Date: Sun Nov 21 2004 - 23:42:07 GMT
You know, people in general were less sensitive than they are now. The
founding fathers are generally respected for laying the groundwork for America.
Now, if you think America wasn't much of anything to be proud of, then I guess
that's your view. But if one points to America as the beginning of a great new
chapter in humanity, you can't discount the founders because some of them
were racist. By that standard, you would have to say EVERYONE back then was
immoral.
For instance, we generally don't tolerate people neglecting or abusing the
mentally ill these days, or the disabled. Back in 1776, it wasn't uncommon for
these poor souls to be locked in unthinkable conditions, and utterly
dismissed as potentially having something useful to offer society. But we don't go
around condemning the folks of the Founder's era for not being sensitive to the
plight of the mentally ill & disabled. In my mind, that's as detestable as
racism. But I'm willing to overlook it when deciding whether or not to hang a
portrait of a person from that era in my home.
I think laying the foundations of America rightly took precedent over
sensitivity to the mentally ill & the disabled. I would also say that George
Washington and Thomas Jefferson are really interesting people. Jefferson really
tried to make some progress toward banning slavery (or at least serious cuts)
early in his life, but seemed resigned to the continuation of slavery toward the
end. The opposite is true with George Washington, who literally rebelled
against the prevailing sentiments of his entire family toward the END of his
life, leaving strict (stricter than ANYthing else in his entire will)
instructions to free slaves and then to free more after the death of his wife. Some of
these slaves were not freed by Washington's family, despite the instructions.
This was a man who gave serious thought to this important issue, and he
should get acknowledgment for his final commands.
Jon
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