It is a well known fact that Thomas Jefferson is the father of the Declaration of American Independence. He coins the phrase, "All men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." However, if he declares this how can he belittle the African American race so much as to have slaves? In addition, he has a "relationship" with an African American woman known as Sally Hemings. How could this fore father of America be so hypocritical to restrict slaves of their freedom and have an illegal "relationship" with a young African American woman? Both of these questions are unanswerable simply because we will never know what Thomas Jefferson, the genius and the 3rd president of the United States of America was thinking.

Though it is said that Thomas Jefferson was not a harsh master to his slaves, he still owned them, thus, making the Declaration of Independence seem quite hypocritical though it acknowledged everyone was equal. Nevertheless, everyone was most certainly not equal, especially slaves. Jefferson believed he had justified reasons for his slaves, without them he would have nobody to tend his plantation. Now sitting in the 21st century, I wonder what the "godlike" Thomas Jefferson really was thinking, as did many Americans after the American Revolution. One of these Americans was the free African American, Benjamin Banneker. He wrote to Jefferson complained about his hypocrisy. He sent Jefferson a copy of his Almanac, to prove to Jefferson that African Americans were most certainly not an inferior race. Banneker explained, "The dueling sentiments expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Notes on the State of Virginia cannot be reconciled. Having put both into the public discourse, it was Jefferson's responsibility to signal which view should guide the Americans experience." Jefferson was shocked. In order to face no public humiliation, he "dodged" the answer to Banneker's question. Jefferson said he would send the copy of the Almanac to the secretary of the Academy of Sciences at Paris. "Want as ever to appear the good scientist; Jefferson presents himself as open to any evidence that his suspicions of black inferiority were incorrect. Yet he was careful not to meet the full force of Banneker's complaint" (Gordon-Reed, Anetter173). As seen in this example, Jefferson was very uncomfortable on the idea and concept of slavery. Even though he did treat his slaves well, he feels he needs to justify his cause.

Sally Hemings was born in 1773, most likely at the Charles City County plantation. She was the half sister of Jefferson's wife Martha. Martha's father had an affair with Sally's mother, Betty. Because of this tangled relationship, Sally and Martha became close friends. Sally sat at Martha's bedside as she died and was then given to Martha's daughter Polly. Polly and Sally traveled to Paris together, where they also became very close, as did Sally and Jefferson. In France, Sally learned French and they two would converse in French every once in a while. In addition, they both were present to see the French Revolution. Though there is no clear evidence to back up the relationship between Sally and Jefferson, it is noted that one of Sally's sons DNA matches with the Jefferson family. Despite, the racial differences between Jefferson and Sally Hemings, they continued to have a relationship. Awkwardly enough, Sally Hemings was still considered Thomas Jefferson's property. Therefore, many assume that Thomas Jefferson may have violated and raped her, because this act was common of white males. If Jefferson saw the African American race as inferior, than how and why would he have a relationship with an African American woman? Sally Hemings and Jefferson could have had a passionate love, but it was always kept a secret. Was Thomas Jefferson embarrassed of his relationship of Sally Hemings or was he just afraid it was ruin his reputation? Still Thomas Jefferson never cared about what others thought of him to begin with.

We will never be able to understand Thomas Jefferson's thinking until we walk a mile in his shoes, but his shoes seem pretty dirty and full of secrets. I guess I will just stick to my Nikes.