RE: but when I hear about unverifiable fornication that has nothing to do with policy, I cringe
What if the fornication was verifiable? Should that not be part of history?
I say it should.
Let’s just say that Jefferson’s adultery with Sally Hemmings were verified...( and In 1998, DNA tests revealed a match between her last child and the Jefferson male family line. Although some historians have noted that the evidence can also support other possible fathers, most have concluded that Jefferson had a long relationship with Hemings and fathered at least one and likely all of her six children, four of whom survived to adulthood.)
I don’t see why the truth ( all of the above statement I made ) cannot be discussed by historians. If one feels that it isn’t necessary in a classroom setting, I’ll grant you that, but why the heck should it not be discussed and debated?
That relationship would not in any way diminish the Declaration of Independence or the Louisiana Purchase or his support for the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Any clear thinking person will NOT conclude thusly:
“Because Jefferson fathered a child by a black woman, the ideals of the Declaration are now null and void”
Only an idiot will think that way.
Agreed; that's why I stated unverifiable.
Any clear thinking person will NOT conclude thusly
Unfortunately there are a lot of young impressionable people that have not learned that lesson, so we have to be careful that we stipulate this if it is brought up, "That [the] relationship would not in any way diminish [his contributions]."
Looks like we've come close to parity; and thanks for a decent conversation.