politics (ii)

Greetings Ms. E_____ and faculty, staff & students -

For a variety of reasons, I view events events evoking historical figures and events through many lenses. One lens helps me see humor and absurdity, and through that lens this looks like a lot of fun.

Another, more critical lens, filters images through my lens of race awareness. And what looks like fun in the first case looks like something else, to me. Where does this event leave those of us who view Jefferson as both the fierce defender of liberty and the expansionist of slavery, the man who trembled for his country knowing God is just and who freed only a handful of his own slaves, the founder of our institution of learning that has brought knowledge to so many and that is still known as "The Plantation" to our adjacent communities?

I understand that others have different views, and I welcome those views. I mean no disrespect for anyone involved with trying to enliven our winter with fun through this event. I wish we lived in a society where a dress-up event could be simply a dress-up event; I hope some day we will.

regards,

F___ D____