Thomas Jefferson Hypocrite

A hypocrite is defined as a person who pretends to have virtues, morals, religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess; especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. Jefferson in some ways could be categorized as a hypocrite. He evangelized liberty and freedom for all, yet did not grant this freedom to his slaves. Liberty is defined as freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control. Africans, hispanics, and other minorities were enslaved and treated as property rather than people. This mentality plagued nations for centuries; so much so, that owning slaves was a social standard that demonstrated a person’s ranking and affluence. Due to this social standard, it is in no way surprising that
Civil Rights Activist, Julian Bond, wrote about Thomas Jefferson and the question of his hypocrisy in his introduction to Slavery in Monticello. “If we view Jefferson from today’s perspective, his ownership of slaves is at best an embarrassment, and at worst, participation in a crime on the level with the Nazi Holocaust,” (Bond 1). It is conspicuous that the perspective of slavery has changed between revolutionary times and modern day. Today, slavery is seen as a lurid and appalling embarrassment on American history to numerous people. It has entrenched the mentality of racism and white superiority into America and can also be considered the incentive of endemic discrimination seen even in modern day news. However, slavery was not only prevalent, but was a social prerequisite even before the colonization of America. Bond addresses both of these points that state Jefferson participated in one of the most horrid phenomenons in world history , but that he was also an average white man living in a place where freeing slaves was not accepted. Bond continues to address Jefferson’s ownership of slaves and whether this proved his hypocrisy or not. “...his writings show a man who was aware of and wrestled with the moral complications of slavery and the inherent contradiction of American slavery and American freedom,” (Bond 1). This quote could be interpreted in multiple ways. For one, it could be argued that Jefferson was an exceptional man for recognizing the malfeasance of slavery and writing publicly about the matter. On the other hand, Jefferson’s awareness of the depravity of slavery only made his participation in it that much worse. Most white Americans at this time were raised to view slaves and minorities as menial and property. Because of this, many white Americans grew up to be cruel masters to the slaves they inherited and purchased, but some slave owners realized that slavery was essentially wrong. Jefferson was