‘I wish he had done more to free enslaved people’: Thomas Jefferson’s descendant on his family’s complex legacy
Summary
Shannon LaNier, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, reflects on the complicated legacy of his family as the U.S. turns 250 years old. He acknowledges Jefferson's role as a founding father who wrote about equality but also points out the contradiction of his owning enslaved people, including Hemings, who bore Jefferson's children.Key Facts
- Shannon LaNier is the sixth great-grandson of Thomas Jefferson and also a descendant of Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman owned by Jefferson.
- Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence stating "all men are created equal" but owned more than 600 enslaved people.
- Sally Hemings joined Jefferson in Paris at age 14 and had several children with him.
- Hemings negotiated the freedom of her children, who were to be freed at age 21.
- LaNier has worked as a TV personality, actor, and public speaker, and co-authored a book about Jefferson’s family.
- As a child, LaNier was initially disbelieved when he said he was related to Jefferson.
- He recognizes both Jefferson’s genius and his failure to free more enslaved people.
- LaNier honors the resilience of those who were enslaved and views slavery as a difficult part of history that shows strength and survival.
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