The Symposium ended with a Concluding Panel Discussion, which is the custom. Its designed so the faculty can say a few closing words and then the participants get a chance to say whatever they want, usually addressing their experience at the Symposium, suggestions for future topics, and any TJ related message they want to share. Clarence Walker and several participants had to leave before the Panel.
As an acknowledged nod to me, Peter Onuf said that he was going to talk about "my Jefferson", the Jefferson that speaks to him, and then he briefly and eloquently expressed his admiration for the "passionate principles" of Jefferson's democratic philosophy. David Konig, the legal scholar, surprised me by telling a touching story of how TJ's writings failed to reveal him as the "man of deep sentiment" that he actually was. He contrasted TJ's dry written comment about a servant/slave's serious illness, with his deep anguish and fear that the servant wouldn't survive, described by a granddaughter. Much has been made of a similar unexpressive entry in TJ's writings when his mother died. Jan Lewis concluded by expressing her admiration for how Jefferson has inspired so many people throughout American history, including the present group.
Then Jan encouraged those participants who had not spoken to the group to speak first. It was jokingly suggested that meant I and Conrad, another regular, should keep quiet, at least for awhile. So, I waited while many people spoke, often movingly, about their experience at the Symposium and about what TJ meant to them. I was eager to speak, and a bit nervous, since I had mentally rehearsed what I was going to say and not sure how it would be received. I was curious what words I would actually speak. I didn't want to take too long, but I also didn't want to leave without saying what was important to me. After all, it could be another year before I got to talk to a group about our Jefferson.
I was the last to speak, and I kidded that those who had heard enough from me would soon be relieved. Then I said I had something personal to share, and I sincerely apologized to anyone I might have offended during or after the sessions. I was conscious of the 'controversy' as I explained that if in my enthusiasm to express myself, I seemed to reject the opinions of others, that was not my intention. I told them that I respect all their opinions, and although it might seem that I'm not really considering their point of view, I actually do, including later, consider the pros and cons of both sides of the discussion. When I finished I was surprised by my own sincerity and contrition, perhaps it was a sign I was 'growing-up'. Afterwards, Joan Gore, who was aware of, and I thought disturbed by, the controversies, thanked me for "my graciousness", and I made uneventful eye contact with the woman I believed I had upset. I felt good about what I had done.
But on to my more important message to the group. The overriding shadow of this Symposium, even more than at most of them, were the questions of was TJ a racist and did he do enough to end slavery. The fact that Clarence is African American and in two sessions spoke about race, slavery, and TJ certainly made it impossible to avoid these topics, as I'm sure many of us would have preferred. (Previous Symposiums have dealt with race, slavery, and Sally Hemings extensively.) As indicated in an earlier post, I had participated in a few conversations about these topics, and saw that even among Jeffersonians the tide had turned against TJ over last decades. (I sometimes kid that America didn't discover until the 1970s or 80s that the Founders were slaveholders). My opinions go against this tide, as will be revealed more fully here in the future, and in detail in the book, and the group generally knew where I stood, if not why.
However, that morning I had a some new thoughts on these subjects, which I had written down. So, I read the following to the group: What this country needs is not reparations, but reconciliation. Race relations are not a white issue, or a black issue, they are a human issue. Let's turn TJ from a symbol of racism and slavery into a symbol of understanding and healing. I said that we gain little by marginalizing TJ for his presumed failures. He was a good man trapped in an evil system and we can learn from his struggles within that system, because in many ways we are good people trapped in the remnants of that system. His struggles to a lesser extent are our struggles.
I decided that part of my our Jefferson mission is to use the wisdom and vision of Thomas Jefferson to take a stance for racial understanding and healing, and if that makes me a target for criticism and controversy, so be it. Standing with TJ, I'll be in good company.
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This abomination (slavery) must have an end, and there is a superior bench reserved in heaven for those who hasten it. 1787
