While removing the George Rogers Clark statue and changing names of other Confederate/slave owner-named places, the university has to reach a decision as to what to do about its connection with its founder, Thomas Jefferson.
A big reason the university is what it is today is because of what Mr. Jefferson prescribed for its construction and aims back in the early 1800s.
The Univ. of Virginia Board of Visitors also voted to "contextualize" the statue of Thomas Jefferson-- primary author of the Declaration of Independence, third president of the United States and UVA's founder. The statue is located on the north side of the university's rotunda.
In a press release, the school "acknowledged Jefferson's contributions to the University and the nation, but also pointed out that he owned slaves and used slave labor at UVA, in direct contradiction to the ideals of liberty and equality he professed."
I have seen this so-called context on other statues. Sadly, what this means is a whole lot of opinions that are now in vogue, but down the line will not be. I could accept something along these lines. Besides his accomplishments, it should say: "Jefferson owned slaves which was legal in the country at that time and also he had slaves do a lot of the construction of this school. His view of liberty and equality reflected the general views of most white people at the time and they did not believe in that for black people."
I Could Accept This as Context. --Old Secesh
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