She was a 14 year old slave that resembled his dead wife and he used her sexually until he died with a promise to free their children. This is a sad story not a love story.
Yes, like it was fun for a 16-year-old to be given to a middle-aged man, with no access to young, handsome men her age. How is this an "adventure"? It is sad. Sex was actually "rape".
kai wyatt - Life is a journey Kai wtatt - your right, she had no choice - do any of us, in hindsight - We are all prisoners and yes slaves between our own two ears - now at 77, this coming January, I know a lot more about Why I traveled the road I did and did the things I did - I am not as hard on myself or the costars in my life story as I use to be - (I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW THE RAIN IS GONE - IT’S GOING TO BE A BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT SUNSHINY DAY) -
Thank you Kai! That was one of the FIRST things I noticed. So are girls stolen by Boko Haram also having an "adventure"? Why do we use euphemisms when it comes to wealthy men in positions of power? If it was love she & her children would have lived as free humans & NOT as enslaved humans.
The stories may have been love stories, we just don't know. Moreover Thomas Jefferson was an admirable individual. Rape would have not been in his nature.
@@mzkiki222 Can someone recommend an account without these white supremacist BS lies covering up rape and pedophilia and minimizing the enslavement of human beings? It'd be nice to learn more about her.
Janet Wright Readings Agreed, I want a mini series about her life told by her voice, written and directed by POC ... would be amazing to have a story like hers finally told instead of this horror
yes, he did. the look on his face as he breathes deeply he knew that was Despicable and wrong.not to mention the children who became bastards, they were almost an afterthought. when white folks mention the lack of black men in the home, how then does one justify creating a human being and then enslaving them, a forerunner to Jeffrey Epstein
He saw that beautiful black girl and preyed on her. This was nothing but rape. She was forced to conform. But played her cards well to secure her children’s future . Sadly there are many other Sally’s
I agree. He was a pedatory old slave master and she an innocent, young enslaved child. He was duplicitous and contradictory in his actions. She however, was strong and dignified.
Different time. I'm sure everyone making the video would agree that it's rape just as it's wrong to own slaves... Just sharing the story from perspective of the time that it happened. Even my grandma was married at 15.. not that long ago and even then that was pretty 'normal.'
@@amyk6453 But your grandma wasn't raped and even now the man who had sex with your grandma when she was 15 is against the law and that crime is statutory rape. What you call perspective because it was slavery has nothing to do with time.Because when a man rape child or an adult female it is rape. "Time has told, Time is telling, and Time will tell again."_-Van Prince). Amy K, any way moral people read your response=you are justifying the rape of Sally by Jefferson. Why?
@@vanprince2287 how do you know my grandma was not raped? If she was she is very closed off and wouldn't tell me. And in her day she was legally married at 15 so it didn't count as rape then as it would now. I'm not comparing my grandmothers life to a slave even though she did have a harsh abused life which is why she left home so young. I'm not sayiing rape or owing slaves is ok. Of course it is not. Simply saying for those times, the ages people got married and had families were much younger than now. No exscuse for rape ever or owning slaves. Those were the times when people got away with horrendous crimes. Very sad time to be alive.
This story shows us as black women how strong we are and what we will do and go through within our life. Keeping and maintaining our dignity and strength. We and I say WE as black American Females are strong no matter what struggles we go through we make it. Beautifully as we are this is how others view us but as we still strive they cannot. will not and be like us although they try. I'm proud to be a black beautiful woman like Sally.
She wasn’t just Black. She was actually mostly White, but not given the full privileges of Whiteness due to her African DNA. Rather, the power of enslaved peoples to persevere is remarkable.
@@xoxoxoxo4483*_Right!! Sally was 75%+ white!! Her mother was 1/2 & her father was 100% white.. The way they talk about her, I assumed she was 100% black!! But no.. They said she looked near white!!_* *_It just goes to show how r*cist it was back then.. Even if you have less than 25% like her or a drop of AA blood, you were most likely enslaved!! & that’s messed up.._* 🙁
@@jellybeans9283 and dont forget that in islam mohammed married his favourite wife aiesha when she was five and they consummated the realtionship when she was 9. maybe with time , some people may feel in a strong enough positions to offer some form of forgiveness. but this should never ever ever be forgotton. once we start to forget, this behaviour can sneak in amongst us again. it may not be black white next time it might be black / east asia or oriental origin. it could be white/central asia, not to forget about the current war. or the hatred that caused the hollocaust
No one is talking about pocahontas or aishsa, this is about sally. Every time someone is showing the horrible treatment of black ppl, someone always has to bring up another ppl. This is about sally. My goodness no one wants to let it be about the Atlantic slave trade by itself
@Simone Casillas I stand on what I said, this is about Sally, every time someone is talking about the atrocities of blk ppl someone comes along to include every one else. That's because ppl have a problem with admitting to the atrocities of blk ppl. This is about Sally
@@indirussell7083 it does matter if it's about Sally or any one else this has happened to many other poeple they are just saying it is the same story being repeated over and over
"Being owned is not a desirable state of affairs!" Well stated lady. This was no romance story. This is one big horror. Young girl getting used and abused by a inhumane sicko!
A man of his time. It is an unfortunate truth, but it is the truth. The point is that when one looks at the historical record with modern sensibilities, it is near impossible to judge the relationship between one man and the status quo of the era. Playing devils advocate here... Jefferson inherited many slaves at Monticello in a time where owning human beings was the norm, albeit an insane norm by our modern standards and sensibilities. Interestingly enough however, Jefferson also *personally condemned the Institution of slavery* in his drafts of the Constitution. Yes, he was a hypocrite as he was a slave owner himself. These were Jefferson's words (paraphrased). *"Slavery presents the greatest threat to the survival of the new American nation. Slavery is contrary to the laws of nature, which decree that everyone has a right to personal liberty"* - Thomas Jefferson There was an entire section he had written, intended for the final draft of the Constitution regarding the moral evil of slavery, but in the interests of the newly born nation, he was implored to remove the condemnation of the institution of slavery in the final draft, as many rightfully believed that it would alienate the Souther Colonies. This is the reality, per historical record. History is not as simple as many will make it out to be. Perspective is near impossible to attain with modern sensibilities, but if one wants to be an academic historian they must do their best to put themselves in the shoes of their subjects.
People like u r soooooo silly and ignorant of how things are done on this planet is crazy. Slavery is commanded by God to humble wicked nations. Goodness me....
Weird how we were good enough to nurse their babies, and to sleep with, but not good enough to treat like a human being that God created. Truly sad. How do you inherited a human person ugh 🙄
We are looking at it from 21st century mindset. In that time frame it was common girls were married off at first period. It wasn't right but opting for the comfortable life was not uncommon. And her ancestors don't tell their story far from it was an unspeakable trade off but is strippers, and prostitutes making a different choice?
Yeah, I never understood that.. They could sleep with you or have you as a wet nurse, but down the line you couldn't drink from the same water fountain or sit near you on the bus. So sad. Even sadder that racism is still alive and well and seems to be increasing.
Rolaine: as upsetting and enraging as it is to watch this documentary, it can't compare to the feeling of depression you get from handling and reading original documents. They so casually list people like property. It's very upsetting. A whole different mindset back then - pure evil.
This is complete BS. This is NOT a love story. It's a story of survival. And still today Jefferson made sure his black descendents could never inherit/profit from him.
Jefferson was flat broke when he died there was very little for anyone to inherit. Almost everything he owned was sold at his death to paid his debts except 5 members of the Hemings family.
Unfortunately there isn't one. We only know what happened based on writings/letters from that time. Slaves were mostly uneducated/ignorant so of course their stories/experiences aren't written down. We can only assume based off of what historians have found through archives
@@cheesyDELISH48 we can absolutely go by the oral traditions passed downby the slaves. They were uneducated because it was illegal for them to read or be schooled and the punishment was literally death. But they weren't dumb. They ran the plantations. They were skilled workers just without a formal education.
GOD Bless this woman she lived during an era of pain,suffering and servitude. She persevered in spite of her situation for which she had no control. I commend her because she did what she had to do in order to survive. There was no love between the two of them only understanding of their places in society. Creating riffs that are still causing raised eyebrows.Lord knows African Americans were racially intermingled when you look at a lot of physical features to include complexions, hair texture to the shape of their noses, lips and body structure.
@@stevemccarty6384 white man speaking! 🤮 In case you were wondering, you are part of the problem... by thinking that anyone should ever have to suffer pains!
"A remarkable courageous life as a SLAVE" Honestly why did anyone think it was okay to try and turn a 14 year old being raped by a founding father routinely into a love story.
Sally Hemmings traveled to Paris (1787-1789) to meet Jefferson and was paid by him during this time period. If she felt she was being mistreated she had the right under French Law to petition for freedom. The record shows she decided to return to Virginia with him knowing in advance that legally she would be regarded as a slave upon arrival. This is a strange course of action to take for someone who is allegedly being repeatedly raped while freedom is available for the asking. Sally Hemmings was 3/4 white who would go on to give birth to children who were 7/8 white. Three of the four surviving children identified as white and would go on to live free lives accepted into white society. Edit: guys stop liking this comment it leaves out vital facts such as Sally didn’t speak French and she couldn’t abandon her family in the US. This is a case of Stockholm syndrome, Sally was abused.
@Carolynska S The American Southern states were not the only slave states. Slavery existed in the North as well. New York City in particular was one of the most lucrative slave states. Also, slavery in Canada existed for 200 years.
@Carolynska S Sure. For the most part, many people thought, and were taught that slavery was only relegated to the South. Information about slavery in NY was not public knowledge to many. It was hidden on purpose, but knowledge is power. I am a native New Yorker, and there is a lot of information/ research/excavations, burial grounds, parks that were once plantations to see that slavery did exist. New York was one of the most lucrative states in the slave trade. The NY historical society did a great exhibit on Slavery in NY many years ago, and it blew a lot of minds. The online exhibit is still present for those that were unable to see it in the flesh. Here is the link to that, as well as the African burial ground which was discovered in the 90's. www.slaveryinnewyork.org/gallery_8.htm www.thenation.com/article/hidden-history-slavery-new-york/
Good grief! Poor Sally. If that man couldn’t show any affection towards the children he had with Sally, it proves that he used Sally, just like any other dirty old man of that time.
...he probably care for them, i read he gave them good jobs AND they enyojed some degree ofvpreferences. Jefferson could not openly show affection probably too.
Exactly. Anyone who can accept a life of slavery for their own flesh and blood can't have true love in their heart for the mother or children. It's so creepy to me that anyone would even suggest that Sally had any real choices back in the day. Women in all parts of the world didn't have the same rights as men, which meant that black women were always at the bottom.
I wonder if Thomas Jefferson had any idea of the depth of a Mother's love for her children.He DOUBLE RAPED SALLY HEMMING. A minor OR. a slave does not have consent to give.
Creating a monument in her honor would mean looking at the ugly truth of our history. People aren’t willing to face that. It’s easier to sweep it under the rug.
@@tierawilliams5736Tom Woodson was the child Sally came back pregnant with from Paris 6 DNA tests proved that he was not Jefferson's. So this whole thing is nonsense. Eston Hemmings born while Sally was in her 30s and Thomas 65 DNA tests proved that he was of a male Jefferson and most likely the Father was one of the 8 younger Jefferson men that were in proximity. At 65 Thomas Jefferson had nerve damage in his spine and no Viagra back then makes it even less likely
@@wendylederer367Tom Woodson was the child Sally came back pregnant with from Paris 6 DNA tests proved that he was not Jefferson's. So this whole thing is nonsense. Eston Hemmings born while Sally was in her 30s and Thomas 65 DNA tests proved that he was of a male Jefferson and most likely the Father was one of the 8 younger Jefferson men that were in proximity. At 65 Thomas Jefferson had nerve damage in his spine and no Viagra back then makes it even less likely
@@tom11zz884 .....a slave......is still a slave , no matter how you flip it . her life was not , her own.................where is your head at , are you saying , she was " less " of a slave.......................
She lost me when she said that "slaves sometimes did fall in love with their masters" 🙄🙄🙄 This wasnt even close to a love story. This is a sick story about a child that was raped by her own "master"
Plus it was a way of survival and in no way romantic in the slightest... it was such a horrible power imbalance it grosses me out to even consider it love.
They said we don't know how Sally Hemings felt and are you saying that nothing good or adventurous could have happened to her because Sally was a slave. I think you are sell her short.
How tf did they gloss over her being the same age as his daughter? The mental gymnastics they must have gone through to make this relationship seem anything other than predatory and exploitative.
@@neilnelmar8007 actually slavery was always a topic of discussion and was constantly debated even back then it's not nonsensical its WRONG that why there were people against it back then as well.but many saw it as a “necessary evil” so to say it was just the time period would be a cheap cop out because regardless of time period human psychological remains that same
Im glad it ends well. Also, very interesting that historians are interested in Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemming's lifes back in 1700s-1800s. I am happy to see the gathering of their descendents in the photo here. I really hope that everyone keep in touch and have get togethers whenever they have the time. Share their interests and life experiences and hobbies. Just look what positivity built from all these. My husband is part Malay and part Japanese. He has relatives who are of Indian blood, Malay blood and Japanese blood. From very dark-tanned complexion to pale complexion. THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
Ended well? This is about enslavement; what did you think ended well? The rape of the teen girl? Her life of enslavement? Abuse by a dirty old man? Maybe you should watch again & put yourself in the position of Sally to understand that there's nothing good about slavery, EVER!
I agree he was wrong but no one today is responsible for his actions but him as for what Sally Hemings felt we have no idea what she felt or thought or if she was even aware of it being in the news papers Which is what the video said.
Agree on everything except the age part. It was common in that day for people to marry much earlier, up until the beginning of the last century. That is because the life expectancy was much shorter, this is still the case in some remote corners of the world. My mothers parents were immigrants, grandma was only 15 when she was married, 14 year age difference, but that was the norm back then, people did not look at it as perverted in that day.
@@josieber8032 we know exactly how she felt disgusted at being enslaved by her relatives then forced to sleep with a degenerate like Jefferson. Pedophilia is a disgusting act I don’t care what year and social norms existed it’s disgusting as are your words here.
Did this one lady say “there’s something about being a slave that tore at the psyche ... of the self esteem she built up”.... everything about being a slave must tear at the psyche of an individual.
Any woman in her right mind will leave before having a slave owner child especially a black woman 🎯 she should of killed her slave owners off springs 👊👊
As an American woman, born in Virginia, this story is really very depressing. I followed the story of Sally Hemings as soon as I was old enough to ask questions.
The story of Sally Hemings is really a tragedy. She had no say concerning anything that she was doing. It makes me feel quite ill. I wish that someone would make a film about her story that was historically true. The founder of this part of the story of the beginning of the United States. Maybe Ken Burns could tell the truth about the role of women in the start of Sally. Isn’t it ironic that the men got together and declared independence, and the women in the story of the start of our American founding, there is very little information about the role of women at all. Oh yes, Betsy Ross sewed 🧵 the first flag. Martha Washington was a very gracious hostess. Dolly Madison invented ice cream. Thank you Dolly, we all scream for ice cream. Wouldn’t it be amazing to actually be there and .......think about it. What would you like to know about the women of colonial America. To be continued...
@@leslieaday7422 It also shows how much men could control their sexual urges in those days. A mixed race child who looks exactly like his mother's white master is very suspicious.
Sis, they know EXACTLY what they're doing. They stay romanticizing the history created off the backs of people that built this place as if they didn't face the atrocities of white hands.
Not to me it's not . She had a choice when she was free in Paris. She wasn't even suppose to go to Paris but the one that was suppose to go got sick .Many women were even getting married even younger then her . In middle East they even get married at 13. 14. Even in the 17 and 18th century they were marrying at 13.
It probably was against her will even though the one thing I know about Thomas Jefferson from what I've read is that he was better to his slaves than most. That's still not saying much because slave ownership was monsterous. Sadly, at the time that's the way it was and it was brought over here by the English/ British. Strong-willed and I just can't believe the things just had to be that way because it didn't have to be that way. These rich government figures and Plantation wanted free labor and they had a serious case of narcissism going on. I wish I could have been there to laugh in their faces when they finally had to pay somebody to do the work in their fields. There's nothing that could make up for what those people went through and what the ones went through even at the time that slavery was abolished. I don't know that much about it because my family wasn't into that even though I'm Caucasian and we were country people back then. Ivan Emily didn't even know any of these plantation owners in Virginia. I don't think my family would have approved at all because so many were Nazi like. I cried for two days listening to that audiobook.
They said Sally looked EXACTLY like Martha Jefferson and he was always with her because Sally was Martha half sister and Jefferson knew that. Jefferson rather be “loved” her or not Sally was owned like a dog
Slavery is still going on in many places in the world. Right here in our own country, the US Child Sex Slavery is a larger money maker than drugs. Why is the media not speaking out for those children? Do you ever wonder why they are not adopting out the orphans coming over our S border? No one talks about this slavery.
@@msw8966 Not a good comment! Colonizers did very damn wrongdoings by African peoples & there's NO excusing these prior human atrocities. We didn't see any African colonizers go into Europe, commit any crimes of any sort & do this to European's & why this comment? Because it did NOT exist & wouldn't have been ALLOWED to exist back in the day. When certain peoples try to deny historical truths, we see great denial, anger & defensiveness @ play & this is true. No matter which way, any of us try to spin the story of slavery, as though it weren't a big deal, we really cannot, because it was a huge deal & a very difficult & painful one. Historically, varying forms of slavery happened within many global regions, but in ref to African slavery, "outsiders" believed they possessed the absolute right/powers, to come along without invite/permission & to take advantage of the peoples & seek out the strongest & the healthiest, to take the America's, so that European colonizers could "use & abuse" these innocent humans, to make themselves very rich & wealthy (which of course they did). A widespread/priceless wealth "fully" built off of the backs of African human beings & to think that today within the US, we see such a poor wealth distribution between Caucasian's/Europeans & Africans/African-Americans & peoples from other minority groups also. To date, no rightful & proper financial African-American reparations (for the descendants of their slave ancestors) have ever taken place, although are certainly now being looked into in California & it's about time this happened. Many formal papers have been drawn up, but no payments have yet to be distributed.
Did Sally have a say so? No Did he let her go in Paris? No Did he free their children? No Did he love her? Of course not We need a re-telling of this story!
Im so SICK of white ppl telling our history im so sick of seeing "slave" movies smh even in the new harriette tubman movie they just had to insert a "white" hero within the script smh
This isn't your story. You were never a slave. Those people were strong willed and would tell blacks today to stop stealing their story like it was yours. Those people could only dream of living the life you live today. Stop acting like you have any idea what those people went through back then. And just to remind you her own family told the story. Did u not watch this at all?
@Oh shoot Bang you have step outside your mind thinking we don’t have any idea of what our great and grandparents went through. Their lives was shared among the family and those event continued to be passed down. That why we know more about our history then you would think. You also sound crazy talking about the life we live now. Yes it better than being in physical bondage but don’t get it twisted it not that much better. We are still enslaved through our education, finance, housing, law enforcement, etc.
They put a remarkable twist on it because no other slave was able to live abroad and experience freedom like she did.And also he freed her children like he said he would!
@@Thollis1987 Yeah it's crazy alright .However,what could have started out as an outright rape could have in some sick way turned into a love that had conditions on it! If there is such a thing! It's like a parent sexually abusing their child and the child grows up loving the parent because that's the victims parent and then becoming used to the abuse so much that they start calling it love because the victim is told this or thinks it themselves.Mental illness at it's best! That's why the rape of a women and children should be punishable by death! Sally hemings was thinking about her children and their future!Those times were very brutal!
Thank you for this truthful account of what this young woman's life was like. This is just one of the storys that should be taught in all our schools. This country was built by enslaved people and there's no reason we should not be teaching and discussing this history.
There were no concept of childhood then ," children" were seen as little adults therefore it was possible to married females as young as 7 ,. that was how it then
@@neilnelmar8007 So? Just because it's how it was, doesn't make it right! The misogyny of patriarchy that viewed women as property was wrong then & is wrong now, here & everywhere else, full stop! Don't be making excuses for their bad behaviour. It's not that they didn't know. They just chose to ignore it & gratify themselves at the expense of others!
I was irritated at how they made it seem as if going to France was some amazing adventure or that there were possibly romantic feelings. She was either threatened or didn’t want to abandon her siblings back home. Showing her how life could be and bringing her back to slavery was simply cruel. No one that actually loves someone would do that. Sounds more like continued taking advantage of this young girl and then woman for his own pleasure. She stuck around for the sake of her children who weren’t even recognized by their own father simply to buy their freedom. The only love in this story is the truest love of an amazing mother and horrendous sacrifices made for her children. If he had loved her, there would be a drawing or painting of her somewhere out there.
Diane Romanov There is also no mention of him trying to educate her or their children to read or write. His feelings about Blacks was well documented. He thought they were inferior.
Carolynska S You’re sick and pathetic and your old age, devil!!!! N for the record, just cause one my believe it’s normal or custom doesn’t make it right!!!!!!!
@Carolynska S Also look at The Venus Project money-less society. Lab rats kill themselves flipping a lever in response to getting a dopamine stimulation, much same as money. Many like The Queen are remarkable trying to get to truth in a brainwashed world. J Fresco said "comm and tech" will change the world. We are at the age of Irony, Disruption, Nothingness, Truth and the final test, Infinity if we make it. ALL is feasible but evil money stands in the way of extreme human advancement.
This is NOT a love story ! It’s not like she could have denied him when he came demanding sex. She was a SLAVE and he was her master. There is no “love” in that. There is no “mutual respect” in that. Yes, he freed her children eventually but he kept her enslaved. Where is the love and mutual respect in that ? Smh.
This whole situation is just insane but one thing we do no is that Jefferson did keep her and all of her family together because they were half white and let’s just say Jefferson did fall in love with Sally (because it’s said that Sally looked exactly like Martha Jefferson because they were half sisters) in that time era you can’t marry your slave and people can’t find out about situations like that when the owner had “sex” with his slave even tho most slave owners did that. Sally isn’t alone obvious to tell us how she really felt but Heaven has got her now
There’s no doubt in my mind that she thought she loved him. The age of consent back then was 12 depending on what state you were in. So by their own laws, he wasn’t a pedophile. They didn’t have the same laws and morals that we have today. Now we know better.
I was born and raised in Laos I know nothing about slavery until moved here to United States thanks for sharing. As painful as it is history is part of our lives it is important to learn from it learn from our mistakes so we can better ourselves for future generations
I agree I'm from Africa and to find outin My Country my own ppl owned there fellow Africans as slaves also my husband is Irish to find out even there were Irish slaves ugh slavery still exits
You must not have very much of an education, if you've never heard the history of how Africans were stolen, brought to America and then enslaved. What type of education did you receive where you didn't even know that your fellow Africans endured such a horror. They were your people; From your land.
Interesting point. Was slavery a mistake? Today we most certainly think it was a mistake, wrong and even evil. But let's look back for a moment. Ancient Romans used slavery for a thousand years. It was a foundation of their society. Moreover Slaves had some rights and some became free and became movers and shakers within their society. Some freedman became rich and influential Roman citizens. So was slavery cruel or just the system? Roman slavery was probably no better or worse than was the institution in the Anti Bellum South. So think about it.
I don’t think it’s sugar coated. There is more than one scene in which the question of whether this relationship was voluntary on her part was considered. I do think she made a mistake when she came back from Paris, instead of staying. She had all the training to make her way in Paris as a domestic, or a dressmaker, the maker of fine linen… I guess she was scared not to go home. She was so young. The reason the producers talk about all the experiences of living in Paris, was not to imply that it was a fun adventure for Sally. It was to show that she was a cultured, educated woman who had received training in crafts and domestic arts.
@@minnahumble2294 it is very sugarcoated, she was a young black girl that was taking advantage of sexually, and she didn't have any choices, number one she was very young oh, it did what she had to do with Thomas Jefferson slave owner
Actually in the 17th century marriage like between age gaps had existed yeah it’s very disturbing about what happens in the past once which was slavery
I don't know how many others caught it, but it is brought out that Sally Hemings was a younger 1/2 sister to Martha Jefferson, wife of Thomas Jefferson.
That is so amazing. How did u find out-dna or word of mouth? If u find out about it through word of mouth I’d love to know what else the family has been sharing about ancestors.
@@ChrissyandChaos that’s amazing I’ve followed this story for so long.I hope you had a Merry Christmas and an even better New Year!!! It was interesting to see this documentary. I would also like to go to Virginia. Did you find that you were a Hemings descendant through DNA?
Slavery was a part of nearly every people group. There were many black people who owned slaves in the U.S. If you haven't watched the PBS series "Finding Your Roots" you should. Very eye opening.
@@dust1ification Weird how people always wanna scream that very few white people owned slaves yet now somehow “many” Black people are owned slaves. The black slave owners were noted for being exceptions. The average person couldn’t afford a slave. Yet somehow many black people in the US had them? It’s absolutely disgusting how this is a new misinformation tactic that I see in every single video discussing slavery.
@@dust1ification Just because some places in the world practiced slavery doesnt mean that every single version was the same. Many of them were not heritable states. You weren’t born a slave. Stop justifying racism in a so-called advanced society. Even in that time, being with a 14-year-old when you were in your 40s unmarried was considered morally wrong.
Sally was a very resilient and wise woman. She was in survival mode. She didn’t always trust Jefferson but she grew to as far as she could throw him. She would’ve never chose this life for herself or her children. She would’ve much rather they be free. I believe her loyalty spoke for itself. Sally knew that one day we would come to know her family history. She is American history. We want the truth, this is what makes our country so beautiful. Make ups of so many different backgrounds struggles strength and endurance. America is all of us born here coming together to get more compassion love and respect for all that is deserved based on basic principle. Black history is American history.❤️Love is the medicine!! Love and respect for ALL. One nation☝🏽
You don't know the reason they saying that because he's a white man and the president that's why they trying to clean up after him after his one big mess
Yes. That’s how many people ended up with slaves. I think Abraham Lincoln also inherited some slaves after he married Mary Todd. Slaves were a part of the economic system, just like any other kind of property or livestock.
This is example of pure evil not wicked. He gave the example, of him being rejected and also how he rejected her, and why America's had to be built, by her people and for her people protection. He acknowledged, that one must see his actions and be wise of the war, that is in hearts of man. Although, he contributed to the suffering of women ,some whites were the refuge of the women, to be housed and given some freedom. Let's not discredit the good nor overlook the Evil or wicked intentions in his words and actions. He knew it was wrong to do, so , however he was in a tough position, so to forge secured property rights, and the whole Louisiana purchase of the Natives side of land here, he had to win her over and used her to teach or give the children the lie. ❤
This all just sounds waaaaay too romanticized!! And wtf how does the name Monica Lewinsky even come into play to compare Sally's situation to hers??? Wtf?!!
It comes into play because Jeffersons political opponents used the entire affair in order to discredit and ostracize him from the public, just as was done to Clinton in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
@@getmeoutofsanfrancisco9917 but Clinton was married and screwed around on his wife while holding the highest office in the land and Jefferson was continuously raping and enslaving children!!!!
Sally made the best of the situation she was in. She had the good sense to get Jefferson to free her children. It doesn't matter to me if they loved each other or not. The fact that her children were free is everything.
I agree it was the most Sally could hope for. But it wasnt everything as it wadnt everyone. I feel for Sally. Every human yearns to be free ir she wouldnt have sacrifuces to get the best offer rather than saying guarantee of her childrens freedom.
I'm just putting myself in Sally's shoes. 1st these children who are her "masters" are actually her neice and nephews. And Jefferson is actually her brother in law. The whole thing is very insestuest. And I cant imagine going from being free in France and back to be a slave in the us. What a culture shock and change. What a brave women she truly was!
I am a American and my cousin is a Canadian citizen who 2 generations of the slaves in her family who worked on the Sugarcane plantations. She had many stories about her family and she shared them with us. Her father was a great Artist.
It’s insane how a person can romanticize this situation. Implying that she she may have been in love with him is incredulous. She was not a free woman, sorry CHILD. Absolutely sick and it gets even sicker today with folks trying to spark up some kind of twisted fantasy
THANK YOU. It absolutely is disgusting how they are describing this as consensual. In no way was it or will ever be she was a child born into slavery taught to always listen to their abuser. She kept quiet because she was a slave. She was coerced back to VA with lies. She was an innocent child taken advantage of. She was most likely groomed. F ThomasJ
It's more palatable to many Caucasians to think of it as a love story, instead of the truth, which was that a white slave master impregnated a child through rape.
The historian said that slaves actually "did fall in love with their masters," and that "to say that Sally had no feelings for Jefferson, is to say that an enslaved person could not love." Um no, that's ridiculous, and an attempt to make Jefferson look attractive and benevolent while toying with Ms. Hemings' legacy. Slaves could absolutely love. It's just that when slave masters saw black men and women together, there were very quick and efficient at breaking up families and marriages, and selling off children to destroy the family unit. When they, their mothers, sisters and daughters weren't being brutally raped themselves, black women had to witness their men, brothers, fathers and sons being whipped, maimed, castrated and murdered by slave masters and overseers. Ms. Hemings' molestation and rape by Thomas Jefferson began when she was only 14. She was owned, and therefore did not have the maturity nor the choice of developing a love for him. For all that she endured at the hands of this pedophile, her blood cries out to us to not let her story be misrepresented today, as it has been in movies and documentaries like this one.
Enslavement is a clear sign of hate. He never loved her, African blood flowed through her veins. She and all their children were slaves. He hated them all. You can't strattle the fence and love your slave that you refuse to set free, instead of letting them go as a sign of love, But place terms and conditions on her freedom.
@@neilnelmar8007 that's sick. Rape doesn't have to be legally acknowledged to be considered wrong. If there's no consent, if one of them is unwilling, that's rape.
Dude you're completely missing the point. She wasn't old enough or mature enough to make those decisions properly... Older men convince young besotted girls to do crazy--even illegal--things all the time. Even if she had feelings for him, he took terrible advantage of it, every second single day, for the rest of his days.
@@vinnyfatstacks1644 * That sounds definitely not hot - sick is more like it! Unfortunately for our country, DNA has proven that Thomas Jefferson was caught up in what it appears that he taught against.
It is crazy how some of these people really try to justify what happened with Sally. There was no way she could agree to be with someone decades older than her. Especially someone who owned her. What is she going to tell him? No? I highly doubt their relationship was consensual.
It is not "heart breaking". It is just the times. I'll bet most people don't have a portait of themselves hanging on a wall somewhere. Our visage will be forgotten too.
I was born in Virginia in 1955. All of my life, I heard about famous white slave owners (including Thomas Jefferson) who had children with female slaves. I am surprised that people are just discovering that female slaves were treated as property. The history of slavery in the USA is a sad and tragic one. Slavery was definitely a cruel institution.
This is just SICK!! You people should be ashame of yourselves. A 14 years old CHILD held against her will.....SMH🤦🏿♀️ I hate this narrative. This was no romantic beautiful love story. She had NO CHOICE!!
Imagine what would have happened to her in Africa..Not only brutal enslavement but incredibly harsh living conditions...So.....Was she really unfortunate...What if jeffetson loved her...Do your research on the barbaric enslavement and tyrannical treatment by the Overlords on the African continent before you derail her life in America....
@@JackPeters-yk9wg Wow, spoken like a true white guy; straight up Eurocentric patriarchal nonsense. That you think African folks don't value their children and abuse them is more telling of yourself than them. BTW- Enslavement is NOT better than death! ... & we're not even going to get into her sexual abuse & exploitation by a dirty old man. Clearly, you lack the mental capacity to exercise the necessary theory of mind for conceptualization, let alone comprehension.
I’m from Charlottesville where Monticello resides. Growing up people always made Thomas Jefferson out to be some hero. Obviously anyone with slaves could never hold that title. Truth is so vital to our education and healing.
There were not many other jobs than working on a plantation. They were far apart and no malls or K-Marts to work for. Many plantation owners were admired especially Thomas Jefferson. Put yourself in that time and see what you can then and be honest.
He wrote the Declaration of Independence! His contributions to our country are what ended slavery in the long run. Would you rather live somewhere else?
You forget that some people were brought here again their well. How "ENTITLED " of you are to ask someone if they preferred to live somewhere else. You are a big problem when it comes to equity and fairness.
@@EUZELIA Jefferson was a poor farmer as was his degenerate father. Jefferson claimed the bodies, souls and inventions of his slaves as his own. He is trash. Just like hitler. He should never be celebrated
I think they did a terrible job of telling Sally Hemings story. They mused from beginning to end whether or not she loved him. If she did, it would be due to what's called Grooming. These people do it all the time so that children won't know love from abuse & not fight back. Manipulated her mind at a young age, older, powerful man. It was such a dysfunctional & sick dynamic... And It really was sounding to me like the storytellers were trying to still protect Jefferson's legacy - maybe it wasn't so bad, maybe she loved him-she sacrificed her life for her children's freedom, I'm calling BS on all of it. Only one of those children was alive when she was in Paris. If she really could have stayed, she should have. Master & Slave in love?! Seriously?!
There are millions or teenage girls alive today who would gladly leave their families and move in with a rich, famous actor or pop star. To be offended at the very mention that she may have fancied him is pretty close-minded. These historians are giving possible scenarios. You act like you know what happened. You don't know any more than they know.
@@SunnyGirlFlorida and that would be grooming because as an adult, you have a responsibility to reject such advances. A child will grow up and thank that the adults they had childhood crushes on did not take advantage of them. Because that’s what it is. If a child moved in with a super star and began a relationship, even one that they “initiated” that wouldn’t make that okay. Money or power does not change the fact a *A child cannot consent*. A child slave certainly cannot consent, especially since legally she did not even own her own body. It shouldn’t have to be spelled out that the power imbalance between slave owner and enslaved makes any “relationship” between the two, abusive, coercive, and rape. When you are a slave, you can be sold, you can be killed. The people you know are in 1 general region. You may have children. You had have no prospects in paid work. Leaving is not an option. We know what happened because this was routine with slave owners. Thomas Jefferson isn’t better then the lot of them. They raped their women and humiliated their men. None of those individuals could consent to any relationship with any slave owner. A black enslaved man could not consent with a white female slave owner, neither could a black enslaved woman with a white male slave owner. The question of whether a young enslaved woman fancied a slave owner shouldn’t be a topic of discussion when portraying what actually happened. Because we could go on and make the wild assumption that a an enslaved girl had a crush on the man who owned her entire being and was the reason for her suffering throughout her life, and it still wouldn’t matter. Because she could not consent.
I am a 71 year old educator. As one of many African American students attending college in Cleveland, Ohio during the late 60's, early 70's we were able to successfully promote and incorporate African American studies into the educational system. Johnson Publication's 'Ebony' and 'Jet' magazine exposed Jefferson and the anti bellum slave system exactly as most of the viewers have already intelligently recognized. In fact, sometime during the period of time I previously referenced myself and others as college campus activists, Johnson Publication (Lerome Bennett Jr, historian) exposed Thomas Jefferson as having an affair with a 12 yr old child. *Phylis Wheatly and other enslaved Africans were noted as being 12 years old. Clearly this was child trafficking and rape! In fact, a British sympathiser, Rolly Rolls lost his property in the colonies, but was rewarded for his loyalty by the British Crown with a gift of an island in the Caribbean; whereupon Rolls took a handful of slaves and fathered 300 offspring. It should also be noted that women were considered "bad luck" on ship's. That problem was conveniently solved by all ships (including Piarates' ships) having a young boy aprox 15 years old accompany them as their 'cabin boy.' We see this same type mentality in prison institutions today. That said, that same mentality of buck breaking control was implemented on plantations as well as castration to control males, making them docile and unthreatening to the slave master's wife, concubines and female offspring. All of these inconsiderate atrocities explain the docility of the male 'house negroes'. Jefferons' records of children dying before age 4 lead me to believe that those children aka chattel were probably sold. Finally, I recently researched Sally Hemmings and her brother's journey to Paris and back to the colonies. Sally Hemmings brother refused work as Jefferson's chef beyond their agreed upon terms and opened a very successful restaurant. However, a few years later he committed suicide. Which leads me to the question: was this man, like his sister, a victim of rape and or castration as well? This 'his story' document clearly is an effort to promote a nice guy image of one of America's many hypocritical founders.
Sally did the best she could for herself and her children. Judge her for the times she lived in. It is certain that she must have been a real beauty even tho no paintings exist of her. Also, people say her voice was the same as Patsy, her half sister.
Indeed, Sallie was an interesting and influential individual. I'll bet on sum she lived a long and happy life. She ended up her years living with her son, who was by all accounts a successful individual. If asked, I'll bet Sallie would say that she lived a happy life.
@@adlihloetz7162 where is it? On OWN ? I don’t like how they cover this up in history. Hurts my feelings. I’m crying. This is the WEAKEST stuff in history. And he was one of the founding fathers. And I believe he was GHEY 🗣🗣🗣🗣
“Relationship” is a strong word. This documentary makes it seem like they met at a local store and dated and fell in love. She was his property and he did with her whatever he wanted. Who knows how Sally really felt but I’m sure it wasn’t a love story. Rather a story of power and abuse and confusion.
100% " he never acknowledged his enslaved children." This alone shares how little love there was. Sally was incredible. Like any mother wants, she made sure her childrens lives were better than hers.
Sally was 12 when she accompanied the Jefferson's to Paris. She went to Paris as a maid for Jefferson's daughter. Jefferson did not like her and did not want her to go, but his objections were overcome. You can read this in his letters. TJ's younger brother, Randolf, was known to frequent the slave quarters and socialize with the slaves. Thomas was far older than Sally and sexual association between persons of such an age and social disparity was frowned upon then as now. Socialization between the races was also frowned upon, especially between slaves and owners. Randolf, however, was known to break all those social rules. Thomas was not known for such improprieties. It is far more likely that Sally passed down Randolf Jefferson's DNA, not Thomas'.
@jacquelinerodriguez3213 That's because he didn't have any enslaved children. This is pure spin. It's a known fact TJ found Blacks unattractive. He would never touch a slave. But his imbuceil brother would and did. Leave this great man alone.
With all the “ facts” we know, Sally was a slave and the man who owned her used her in any way he wanted. Even if there was documentation that she loved the man who used her, and enslaved her children, she was a captive slave and and I would contribute that love to Stockholm Syndrom where people gaslight themselves to survive and deal with that trauma.
Hello Stacey how are you doing today?Sally Hemings is a hero🙏🏼🙌🏼 How many enslaved women do we know the full names of? She lives on into the future! Her story is being told. People think of her. She could never have imagined 😪😪
@@shantejamison3378 yes! absolutely we should rise above it. but it's history it's in the books and now on the internet for everybody to see, and therefore you are entitled to your own opinion.
Rubbish rubbish .what would you have called it if she whipped or sole her ,she was a slave and what jefferson did was within the bounds of the law as it relate to their relationship .
Does the book mention how Africans sold their slaves to Europeans and how an overwhelming majority of slaves ended up in Brazil and the Caribbean? They seldom start these stories at the actual beginning.
considered her maid....but she was the Aunt...Sally's children n her half sister, Martha's children (all Jefferson"s children) were cousins and brothers/sisters.....
I've been questioning this DNA testing thing too. If I understand correctly, Martha and Thomas were cousins of sorts, which would make any children from Sally or Martha show up with Jefferson DNA anyway regardless of the father. Is my assumption correct?
A 43 year old Thomas and 14 year old Sally, yet a “sweet gentle love affair” 😂 Come on, he raised her from the time she was 2. I’m sure he didn’t start with her when she was 14, that’s just when she got pregnant.
@@neilnelmar8007 It may have been better in Africa, although slavery existed on the continent of Africa as well as on other continents. Slaves were considered human though and whoever lost a war was enslaved. The Ancient Romans enslaved mainly other White people. Even today, in some parts of Africa and India, parents arrange marriages for their daughters when they complete puberty. In Africa. It has always been legal for a man to have more than one wife in most parts of Africa and those African men give those children born of those marriages their last names and openly acknowledge them. Read about our former President Obama, one of the very few African-Americans who knows his real name. President Obama knows all of his half-sisters and brothers who were raised in Africa and they all have the last name, Obama. Mahatma Gandhi and his wife were both married at the age of 13 in a beautiful ceremony. Even in the United States, there have been 13-year-old girls like the singer Loretta Lynn, who insisted upon marrying at the age of 13. She pressured her parents into signing for her.
Black girls are definetly NOT the only ones who are having their child hood stolen. I know how that feels! And it's unfair. No matter what color we are or nationality we were born into rich or poor, sick minded bastards exist everywhere! Sad... Just too sad!!!!!
I guess I wasn't understood, a pleasant, happy, priveliged childhood is not a reality for many little girls no matter what color or nationality, please don't close your eyes to that nasty truth.
What a well done documentary the historical accuracy must me applauded! The question of love between Jefferson and Sally is muted by how all marriages during that time period and Jefferson’s social class are transactional! His marriage to Sally’s half sister was just that and resulted in a deep and abiding love! Sally’s relationship with Jefferson was mostly transactional in the beginning no doubt because she said she would stay in Paris and not go home without the agreement she wanted! Make no mistake SHE HAD THE POWER OF A WOMAN ! Jefferson knew he risk all with the relationship no doubt about his feelings! One of American historys most amazing stories! Thanks to all involved in producing this, and particularly Annette Gordon - Reed author of THE HEMINGES of MONTICELLO a must read for anyone interested in Jefferson.
@@omamajohnpaul4215 is thomas jefferson living in the present ?why don"t you people, go and have talk with jerry lee lewis,he is still alive .He married his 12 year old cousin in the 1960s
@@neilnelmar8007 Nelmar,,, It was NOT perfectly acceptable and lawful to everyone..never was, never will be..u make excuses for mens dispicable behaviour who rape
As with most slave owners, this act of psychological and emotional bondage was well played by Thomas Jefferson. The captive feels threatened, but is highly reliant on their captor for survival. When the captor shows kindness, the captive perceives the captors humanity developing a delusional alliance, believing they have shared values and goals. This is referred to as “Stockholm syndrome”. A person who experiences this condition comes to bond with their captor and may also experience feelings of love, empathy, or a desire to protect. Sadly, I believe Sally Hemings was a victim of Stockholm syndrome.
Poor Sally. Impregnated by a rapist and forced to choose the lesser of two evils. The fact that she maintained any shred of dignity is remarkable. Rest Well Dear Sister 🖤
Do you have evidence for that? That she was forced into it. Yes she was child but there was no age of consent back then, wouldn't everybody be a child rapist.
@@lampad4549 I did not call him a child rapist but maybe you are burdened by his behavior as well. The age of consent was different back then but she was his 14 year old mistresses and not his wife. In regards to your question, and I will respond objectively to it, yes there is evidence she was forced. She was his slave. She therefore did not have any say over what this rapist (and he was more than that of course) did to her. If he had “given” Sally her freedom and then propositioned her, she would have had a choice.
@@thaobserva Our modern understanding of what a teenager/adolescence is didn’t even exist until the early 20th century, if you were old enough to ovulate you were considered a woman. Also she did technically have a chance to make a choice in France but hey I guess you know as much or more about how Sally felt as/than Sally herself. The ignorance or even hubris some people have about this topic never ceases to surprise me. Jefferson was a complicated man of his time but he was not bad, he did more to try and blunt Slavery than most if not all people of his generation did. Thomas Jefferson did not ask to be a slave owner they were dumped on him through inheritance that already had debt tied to it to begin with.
@@CbsOmegaOmniX Your brief analysis of Jefferson is more emotional than objective but you are right on one point, he was a complicated man. I was not attempting to pigeon hole him. In addition to his unfortunate relations with Sally, he was also a capable statesman, albeit a very shrewd one. What we do know is that Jefferson did not marry his own daughter off to an old man at that age. We are discussing the liberties he took with his 14 year old slave/mistress. Not a 14 year old free woman he married. Sally could have stayed in France? What 14/15 year old is ready to stay in a foreign country and never see their family again?? She was not formally educated so it is reasonable to assume that she was not even fluent in the French language. Thank you for your thoughts though. Dialogue is important.
She was a 14 year old slave that resembled his dead wife and he used her sexually until he died with a promise to free their children. This is a sad story not a love story.
Church
caroline magee his wife’s sister
@@danayadennis correct. I forgot to add that important keeping it in the family fact
Yass they are really white washing
She was his wife's sister. He met her long before she was 14.
Why are they sugar coating her life story? Her life was not an “adventure”, she was a slave and this is not a love story bc she had no choice.
Yes, like it was fun for a 16-year-old to be given to a middle-aged man, with no access to young, handsome men her age. How is this an "adventure"? It is sad. Sex was actually "rape".
kai wyatt - Life is a journey Kai wtatt - your right, she had no choice - do any of us, in hindsight - We are all prisoners and yes slaves between our own two ears - now at 77, this coming January, I know a lot more about Why I traveled the road I did and did the things I did - I am not as hard on myself or the costars in my life story as I use to be - (I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW THE RAIN IS GONE - IT’S GOING TO BE A BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT SUNSHINY DAY) -
@@archiemegel1013 shame on you.
Thank you Kai! That was one of the FIRST things I noticed. So are girls stolen by Boko Haram also having an "adventure"? Why do we use euphemisms when it comes to wealthy men in positions of power? If it was love she & her children would have lived as free humans & NOT as enslaved humans.
@@jackieburns5257 thank you Jackie! Very well said. Middle aged white men are not at the top of a young teen's list.
I think we should stop calling them "Masters" but instead refer to them as Criminals or Human Traffickers.
Exactly or Abductors🤷🏾♀️
Amy Cakes I agree
No refer to them by what they are Satan worshipping pedophiles.
Beast
Sounds bout right
Not them turning rape of both Sally’s mother & her into love stories. That’s disgusting.
The stories may have been love stories, we just don't know. Moreover Thomas Jefferson was an admirable individual. Rape would have not been in his nature.
Yep that’s them, that’s their character.
Only those like them would think this is okay.
Did they just call a 14 year old and 40 year old sexual relationship consensual. Grosss
This is disgusting.. our story needs to be told truthfully 😢
@@mzkiki222 Can someone recommend an account without these white supremacist BS lies covering up rape and pedophilia and minimizing the enslavement of human beings? It'd be nice to learn more about her.
Janet Wright Readings Agreed, I want a mini series about her life told by her voice, written and directed by POC ... would be amazing to have a story like hers finally told instead of this horror
yes, he did. the look on his face as he breathes deeply he knew that was Despicable and wrong.not to mention the children who became bastards, they were almost an afterthought. when white folks mention the lack of black men in the home, how then does one justify creating a human being and then enslaving them, a forerunner to Jeffrey Epstein
R Bray and yet despite her whiteness, she was enslaved her entire life. You’re entitled to your opinion, but you haven’t changed mine. Nice try.
He saw that beautiful black girl and preyed on her. This was nothing but rape. She was forced to conform. But played her cards well to secure her children’s future . Sadly there are many other Sally’s
Still was black
@Carolynska S she was black
I agree. He was a pedatory old slave master and she an innocent, young enslaved child. He was duplicitous and contradictory in his actions. She however, was strong and dignified.
Yeah I was one in today's time
@@queensheba9404 naw she is the descendants of a white man not black man
Why are they acting like her and her mother wasn’t raped? This is sick.
sunshine73308 don’t worry this was from 2000 if this was made in 2020 don’t worry this documentary wouldn’t have flown.
Only the racists here are acting like her and her mother weren't raped and it is a double sickness!
Different time. I'm sure everyone making the video would agree that it's rape just as it's wrong to own slaves... Just sharing the story from perspective of the time that it happened. Even my grandma was married at 15.. not that long ago and even then that was pretty 'normal.'
@@amyk6453 But your grandma wasn't raped and even now the man who had sex with your grandma when she was 15 is against the law and that crime is statutory rape. What you call perspective because it was slavery has nothing to do with time.Because when a man rape child or an adult female it is rape. "Time has told, Time is telling, and Time will tell again."_-Van Prince). Amy K, any way moral people read your response=you are justifying the rape of Sally by Jefferson. Why?
@@vanprince2287 how do you know my grandma was not raped? If she was she is very closed off and wouldn't tell me. And in her day she was legally married at 15 so it didn't count as rape then as it would now. I'm not comparing my grandmothers life to a slave even though she did have a harsh abused life which is why she left home so young. I'm not sayiing rape or owing slaves is ok. Of course it is not. Simply saying for those times, the ages people got married and had families were much younger than now. No exscuse for rape ever or owning slaves. Those were the times when people got away with horrendous crimes. Very sad time to be alive.
This story shows us as black women how strong we are and what we will do and go through within our life. Keeping and maintaining our dignity and strength. We and I say WE as black American Females are strong no matter what struggles we go through we make it. Beautifully as we are this is how others view us but as we still strive they cannot. will not and be like us although they try. I'm proud to be a black beautiful woman like Sally.
She wasn’t just Black. She was actually mostly White, but not given the full privileges of Whiteness due to her African DNA. Rather, the power of enslaved peoples to persevere is remarkable.
@@xoxoxoxo4483right!!
@@xoxoxoxo4483*_Right!! Sally was 75%+ white!! Her mother was 1/2 & her father was 100% white.. The way they talk about her, I assumed she was 100% black!! But no.. They said she looked near white!!_*
*_It just goes to show how r*cist it was back then.. Even if you have less than 25% like her or a drop of AA blood, you were most likely enslaved!! & that’s messed up.._* 🙁
Preach, my friend! Woo Hoo!
@@xoxoxoxo44837/8th's white.
I hate the narrative that Sally and Thomas were “in love.” She and her children were viewed as property.
Exactly, same thing with pocahontas, in real life she was a underage child. They romanticize it too make it to downplay the severity of the situation
@@jellybeans9283 and dont forget that in islam mohammed married his favourite wife aiesha when she was five and they consummated the realtionship when she was 9. maybe with time , some people may feel in a strong enough positions to offer some form of forgiveness. but this should never ever ever be forgotton. once we start to forget, this behaviour can sneak in amongst us again. it may not be black white next time it might be black / east asia or oriental origin. it could be white/central asia, not to forget about the current war. or the hatred that caused the hollocaust
No one is talking about pocahontas or aishsa, this is about sally. Every time someone is showing the horrible treatment of black ppl, someone always has to bring up another ppl. This is about sally. My goodness no one wants to let it be about the Atlantic slave trade by itself
@Simone Casillas I stand on what I said, this is about Sally, every time someone is talking about the atrocities of blk ppl someone comes along to include every one else. That's because ppl have a problem with admitting to the atrocities of blk ppl. This is about Sally
@@indirussell7083 it does matter if it's about Sally or any one else this has happened to many other poeple they are just saying it is the same story being repeated over and over
Paused at “Difficult choices she made.”😒 Not a love story. She was an enslaved child.
Numbaone Barbers she was raped molested and groomed. You can’t fall in love with someone whose abusing you this isn’t a love story smh 🤦🏾♂️
Aaron Linton- Chambers well said smh👏🏽
@@aaronlinton-chambers My sentiments EXACTLY !!!
That stood out to me as well. I was thinking “huh??”
She was property. No choices just obedience. There can be no love with wickedness, evil knows no love.
"Being owned is not a desirable state of affairs!" Well stated lady. This was no romance story. This is one big horror. Young girl getting used and abused by a inhumane sicko!
A man of his time. It is an unfortunate truth, but it is the truth.
The point is that when one looks at the historical record with modern sensibilities, it is near impossible to judge the relationship between one man and the status quo of the era. Playing devils advocate here...
Jefferson inherited many slaves at Monticello in a time where owning human beings was the norm, albeit an insane norm by our modern standards and sensibilities. Interestingly enough however, Jefferson also *personally condemned the Institution of slavery* in his drafts of the Constitution. Yes, he was a hypocrite as he was a slave owner himself.
These were Jefferson's words (paraphrased).
*"Slavery presents the greatest threat to the survival of the new American nation. Slavery is contrary to the laws of nature, which decree that everyone has a right to personal liberty"* - Thomas Jefferson
There was an entire section he had written, intended for the final draft of the Constitution regarding the moral evil of slavery, but in the interests of the newly born nation, he was implored to remove the condemnation of the institution of slavery in the final draft, as many rightfully believed that it would alienate the Souther Colonies.
This is the reality, per historical record. History is not as simple as many will make it out to be. Perspective is near impossible to attain with modern sensibilities, but if one wants to be an academic historian they must do their best to put themselves in the shoes of their subjects.
People like u r soooooo silly and ignorant of how things are done on this planet is crazy.
Slavery is commanded by God to humble wicked nations.
Goodness me....
@@Adriana-vp1rm bs
@@getmeoutofsanfrancisco9917 Jefferson's behavior with Hemings was far from "a man of his times."
@@Adriana-vp1rm you’re a fucking sicko if u think that this “god” would really want his people to be raped and tortured to “punish” a nation
Thank you for this video as a descendant of Sally’s younger sister it’s refreshing hearing the name off my African ancestors name
Weird how we were good enough to nurse their babies, and to sleep with, but not good enough to treat like a human being that God created. Truly sad. How do you inherited a human person ugh 🙄
We are looking at it from 21st century mindset. In that time frame it was common girls were married off at first period. It wasn't right but opting for the comfortable life was not uncommon. And her ancestors don't tell their story far from it was an unspeakable trade off but is strippers, and prostitutes making a different choice?
Yeah, I never understood that.. They could sleep with you or have you as a wet nurse, but down the line you couldn't drink from the same water fountain or sit near you on the bus. So sad. Even sadder that racism is still alive and well and seems to be increasing.
@@victorialindsey6305 That's not a correct comparison... Far from it.
🙌🏼💛
Rolaine: as upsetting and enraging as it is to watch this documentary, it can't compare to the feeling of depression you get from handling and reading original documents. They so casually list people like property. It's very upsetting. A whole different mindset back then - pure evil.
This is complete BS. This is NOT a love story. It's a story of survival. And still today Jefferson made sure his black descendents could never inherit/profit from him.
Thats what happens when white ppl tell black history
Jefferson was flat broke when he died there was very little for anyone to inherit. Almost everything he owned was sold at his death to paid his debts except 5 members of the Hemings family.
He died broke
Damn
Thats why i gotta learn my herstory...
I need to hear the BLACK VERSION OF THIS STORY
Ok
Unfortunately there isn't one. We only know what happened based on writings/letters from that time. Slaves were mostly uneducated/ignorant so of course their stories/experiences aren't written down. We can only assume based off of what historians have found through archives
@@cheesyDELISH48 It's in her son's book, cited during the film.
Hell yeah!!! Truckingwithlove
@@cheesyDELISH48 we can absolutely go by the oral traditions passed downby the slaves. They were uneducated because it was illegal for them to read or be schooled and the punishment was literally death. But they weren't dumb. They ran the plantations. They were skilled workers just without a formal education.
GOD Bless this woman she lived during an era of pain,suffering and servitude. She persevered in spite of her situation for which she had no control. I commend her because she did what she had to do in order to survive. There was no love between the two of them only understanding of their places in society. Creating riffs that are still causing raised eyebrows.Lord knows African Americans were racially intermingled when you look at a lot of physical features to include complexions, hair texture to the shape of their noses, lips and body structure.
The evidence is that Sallie Hemmings suffered very little if any, "pain and suffering". Servitude is what all employees experience.
Pedophile
@@stevemccarty6384 white man speaking! 🤮 In case you were wondering, you are part of the problem... by thinking that anyone should ever have to suffer pains!
"A remarkable courageous life as a SLAVE" Honestly why did anyone think it was okay to try and turn a 14 year old being raped by a founding father routinely into a love story.
When I heard that I said "Wtf, hold on we dealing with some sick individuals fr"
Nobody said it was a love story.
@@SunnyGirlFlorida they were literally romanticising the story 🤦🏽♂️
Sally Hemmings traveled to Paris (1787-1789) to meet Jefferson and was paid by him during this time period. If she felt she was being mistreated she had the right under French Law to petition for freedom. The record shows she decided to return to Virginia with him knowing in advance that legally she would be regarded as a slave upon arrival. This is a strange course of action to take for someone who is allegedly being repeatedly raped while freedom is available for the asking. Sally Hemmings was 3/4 white who would go on to give birth to children who were 7/8 white. Three of the four surviving children identified as white and would go on to live free lives accepted into white society. Edit: guys stop liking this comment it leaves out vital facts such as Sally didn’t speak French and she couldn’t abandon her family in the US. This is a case of Stockholm syndrome, Sally was abused.
@@Shaka_Zulu ever heard of stockholmes syndrome?
Funny how folks were acting like the slave owners weren’t sleeping with and impregnating the slave women. Crazy.
They all did, that is why we are a variety of colors.
You mean raping
@@bluetheory2 not all relationships came from rape....you ever read slave narratives you would know this
@Carolynska S The American Southern states were not the only slave states. Slavery existed in the North as well. New York City in particular was one of the most lucrative slave states. Also, slavery in Canada existed for 200 years.
@Carolynska S Sure. For the most part, many people thought, and were taught that slavery was only relegated to the South. Information about slavery in NY was not public knowledge to many. It was hidden on purpose, but knowledge is power. I am a native New Yorker, and there is a lot of information/ research/excavations, burial grounds, parks that were once plantations to see that slavery did exist. New York was one of the most lucrative states in the slave trade. The NY historical society did a great exhibit on Slavery in NY many years ago, and it blew a lot of minds. The online exhibit is still present for those that were unable to see it in the flesh. Here is the link to that, as well as the African burial ground which was discovered in the 90's. www.slaveryinnewyork.org/gallery_8.htm
www.thenation.com/article/hidden-history-slavery-new-york/
Good grief! Poor Sally. If that man couldn’t show any affection towards the children he had with Sally, it proves that he used Sally, just like any other dirty old man of that time.
...he probably care for them, i read he gave them good jobs AND they enyojed some degree ofvpreferences. Jefferson could not openly show affection probably too.
@Ronald Filkins whoa. You're extremely funny. Cool joke
Exactly. Anyone who can accept a life of slavery for their own flesh and blood can't have true love in their heart for the mother or children. It's so creepy to me that anyone would even suggest that Sally had any real choices back in the day. Women in all parts of the world didn't have the same rights as men, which meant that black women were always at the bottom.
I wonder if Thomas Jefferson had any idea of the depth of a
Mother's love for her children.He DOUBLE RAPED SALLY HEMMING. A minor OR. a slave does not have consent to give.
Just as Andrew Jackson offspring children called "Jackson white" mulatto children of his ancestors. Wow!
She definitely deserves to be recognized and honored.
what for
Agreed she literally lived with Jefferson since she was 2 let that sink in...
Creating a monument in her honor would mean looking at the ugly truth of our history. People aren’t willing to face that. It’s easier to sweep it under the rug.
@@tierawilliams5736Tom Woodson was the child Sally came back pregnant with from Paris 6 DNA tests proved that he was not Jefferson's.
So this whole thing is nonsense.
Eston Hemmings born while Sally was in her 30s and Thomas 65 DNA tests proved that he was of a male Jefferson and most likely the Father was one of the 8 younger Jefferson men that were in proximity. At 65 Thomas Jefferson had nerve damage in his spine and no Viagra back then makes it even less likely
@@wendylederer367Tom Woodson was the child Sally came back pregnant with from Paris 6 DNA tests proved that he was not Jefferson's.
So this whole thing is nonsense.
Eston Hemmings born while Sally was in her 30s and Thomas 65 DNA tests proved that he was of a male Jefferson and most likely the Father was one of the 8 younger Jefferson men that were in proximity. At 65 Thomas Jefferson had nerve damage in his spine and no Viagra back then makes it even less likely
If only Sally Hemings could speak from the grave to tell the world the TRUTH.😢😢
her dna has spoke from the grave. all her great grand kids and great great relatives were tested and proven to be related
@@evejohnson3660 👍👍
I would love to hear her perspective
Im here her granddaughter
Michelle Walker you aren't her grand daughter💀
" she could never have imagined , the adventure , her life would become "...............uhmmmmmmmmm , wasn't she a slave............
Yep
But she had special privileges over the other slaves a that time.
@@tom11zz884 .....a slave......is still a slave , no matter how you flip it . her life was not , her own.................where is your head at , are you saying , she was " less " of a slave.......................
@@mizfrenchtwist Thank you
mizfrenchtwist
Right... this is trash 🤦🏽♀️
She did not love him she had to survive.
TEARS! Because your view aptly captures the situation she found herself. And it is sad that it was not even implied that that was the situation
This 😢😢😢
She loved him because he was the BOSS and he was not chocolate ????
I absolutely agree with you
Woman today do a lot of things today to survive. Mostly hook up with guys with money, so they ca n get some.
Thank you so much for this very informative documentary on Sally Hemming’s life. 😮
She lost me when she said that "slaves sometimes did fall in love with their masters" 🙄🙄🙄 This wasnt even close to a love story. This is a sick story about a child that was raped by her own "master"
Rape under what law?
@@neilnelmar8007 smh ew
Right! There’s a difference between love and Stockholm syndrome. These Karen’s need to STFU.
Plus it was a way of survival and in no way romantic in the slightest... it was such a horrible power imbalance it grosses me out to even consider it love.
@@nicoleshakur4496 is that all?
Why are they calling this shit a love story???
They said we don't know how Sally Hemings felt and are you saying that nothing good or adventurous could have happened to her because Sally was a slave. I think you are sell her short.
@@josieber8032 nigga where you ever a slave? What is so adventurous about being raped, slaughtered, sold, and killed? Are you even black?
@@ataisjafloyd1428 Were you a slave I think not
@@josieber8032 yes i was not a slave. But I am black and my ancestors where slaves.
How tf did they gloss over her being the same age as his daughter? The mental gymnastics they must have gone through to make this relationship seem anything other than predatory and exploitative.
It’s not a new concept of men falling for or using younger women...
@@zilcaparker6089 doesn’t make it okay also this isn’t a simple oh it the time period SHE WAS OWNED and like raped by him
It was legal then ,it was normal them ,you are looking at the issue thrown modern lenses,which is nonsensical
@@tammeydavis9750 but it was legal then
@@neilnelmar8007 actually slavery was always a topic of discussion and was constantly debated even back then it's not nonsensical its WRONG that why there were people against it back then as well.but many saw it as a “necessary evil” so to say it was just the time period would be a cheap cop out because regardless of time period human psychological remains that same
Im glad it ends well. Also, very interesting that historians are interested in Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemming's lifes back in 1700s-1800s. I am happy to see the gathering of their descendents in the photo here. I really hope that everyone keep in touch and have get togethers whenever they have the time. Share their interests and life experiences and hobbies. Just look what positivity built from all these.
My husband is part Malay and part Japanese.
He has relatives who are of Indian blood, Malay blood and Japanese blood. From very dark-tanned complexion to pale complexion.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
Ends well. No part of slavery ended well. Including this!
Ended well? This is about enslavement; what did you think ended well? The rape of the teen girl? Her life of enslavement? Abuse by a dirty old man? Maybe you should watch again & put yourself in the position of Sally to understand that there's nothing good about slavery, EVER!
"Her children not their children."How disgusting, her age, her status, what he did was just wrong, period.
I agree he was wrong but no one today is responsible for his actions but him as for what Sally Hemings felt we have no idea what she felt or thought or if she was even aware of it being in the news papers Which is what the video said.
Agree on everything except the age part. It was common in that day for people to marry much earlier, up until the beginning of the last century. That is because the life expectancy was much shorter, this is still the case in some remote corners of the world. My mothers parents were immigrants, grandma was only 15 when she was married, 14 year age difference, but that was the norm back then, people did not look at it as perverted in that day.
@sara lincoln #100
@@josieber8032 we know exactly how she felt disgusted at being enslaved by her relatives then forced to sleep with a degenerate like Jefferson. Pedophilia is a disgusting act I don’t care what year and social norms existed it’s disgusting as are your words here.
Wrong according whom or what law ?
Did this one lady say “there’s something about being a slave that tore at the psyche ... of the self esteem she built up”.... everything about being a slave must tear at the psyche of an individual.
She probably did what she did to survive..a very strong woman!
Yes
Agreed
Any woman in her right mind will leave before having a slave owner child especially a black woman 🎯 she should of killed her slave owners off springs 👊👊
Y'all sick as fuck to think that 🎯
Like Jaycee Dugard who is captured by that man and woman ? That make scene . And the three women by Castro !
WOW! Thank you for this historical information. Professionally presented.
As an American woman, born in Virginia, this story is really very depressing. I followed the story of Sally Hemings as soon as I was old enough to ask questions.
The story of Sally Hemings is really a tragedy. She had no say concerning anything that she was doing. It makes me feel quite ill. I wish that someone would make a film about her story that was historically true. The founder of this part of the story of the beginning of the United States. Maybe Ken Burns could tell the truth about the role of women in the start of Sally. Isn’t it ironic that the men got together and declared independence, and the women in the story of the start of our American founding, there is very little information about the role of women at all. Oh yes, Betsy Ross sewed 🧵 the first flag. Martha Washington was a very gracious hostess. Dolly Madison invented ice cream. Thank you Dolly, we all scream for ice cream. Wouldn’t it be amazing to actually be there and .......think about it. What would you like to know about the women of colonial America.
To be continued...
@@leslieaday7422 It also shows how much men could control their sexual urges in those days. A mixed race child who looks exactly like his mother's white master is very suspicious.
A mini series was on television in 2000 about sally called, Sally Henson: An American scandal.
Women didn’t have many choices.
Thanks for calling a spade a spade ♠️
*I don’t think that they mean it but this documentary is really offensive.*
Sis, they know EXACTLY what they're doing. They stay romanticizing the history created off the backs of people that built this place as if they didn't face the atrocities of white hands.
They absolutely mean it. They were hoping you weren't smart enough to see through this bullshit.
It is offensive. I'm sure she hated him I wish she would've stayed in Paris. Then instead of saying free he had them as runaways
Not to me it's not . She had a choice when she was free in Paris. She wasn't even suppose to go to Paris but the one that was suppose to go got sick .Many women were even getting married even younger then her . In middle East they even get married at 13. 14.
Even in the 17 and 18th century they were marrying at 13.
Whites bread out the wide noses,big lips and real dark skin.
Why do they say sex? Its rape. Come on! You think any of these women had real choices???
It probably was against her will even though the one thing I know about Thomas Jefferson from what I've read is that he was better to his slaves than most. That's still not saying much because slave ownership was monsterous. Sadly, at the time that's the way it was and it was brought over here by the English/ British. Strong-willed and I just can't believe the things just had to be that way because it didn't have to be that way. These rich government figures and Plantation wanted free labor and they had a serious case of narcissism going on.
I wish I could have been there to laugh in their faces when they finally had to pay somebody to do the work in their fields.
There's nothing that could make up for what those people went through and what the ones went through even at the time that slavery was abolished. I don't know that much about it because my family wasn't into that even though I'm Caucasian and we were country people back then. Ivan Emily didn't even know any of these plantation owners in Virginia. I don't think my family would have approved at all because so many were Nazi like.
I cried for two days listening to that audiobook.
no-no
They said Sally looked EXACTLY like Martha Jefferson and he was always with her because Sally was Martha half sister and Jefferson knew that. Jefferson rather be “loved” her or not Sally was owned like a dog
@Mixed Knight Fool In Sally's case it was rape because she didn't consent to sex!
@Mixed Knight Fool that is the definition of bullshit love!
Slavery is one of the worlds worst crimes
Well, most of Africa is doing it. You better get over there and stop it.
America will be judged harshly for the genocide of chattel Slavery. All of the Americas will be.
@@msw8966 What does that have to do with America/ns? Do you have cognitive deficiency?
Slavery is still going on in many places in the world. Right here in our own country, the US Child Sex Slavery is a larger money maker than drugs. Why is the media not speaking out for those children? Do you ever wonder why they are not adopting out the orphans coming over our S border? No one talks about this slavery.
@@msw8966 Not a good comment!
Colonizers did very damn wrongdoings by African peoples & there's NO excusing these prior human atrocities.
We didn't see any African colonizers go into Europe, commit any crimes of any sort & do this to European's & why this comment?
Because it did NOT exist & wouldn't have been ALLOWED to exist back in the day.
When certain peoples try to deny historical truths, we see great denial, anger & defensiveness @ play & this is true.
No matter which way, any of us try to spin the story of slavery, as though it weren't a big deal, we really cannot, because it was a huge deal & a very difficult & painful one.
Historically, varying forms of slavery happened within many global regions, but in ref to African slavery, "outsiders" believed they possessed the absolute right/powers, to come along without invite/permission & to take advantage of the peoples & seek out the strongest & the healthiest, to take the America's, so that European colonizers could "use & abuse" these innocent humans, to make themselves very rich & wealthy (which of course they did).
A widespread/priceless wealth "fully" built off of the backs of African human beings & to think that today within the US, we see such a poor wealth distribution between Caucasian's/Europeans & Africans/African-Americans & peoples from other minority groups also.
To date, no rightful & proper financial African-American reparations (for the descendants of their slave ancestors) have ever taken place, although are certainly now being looked into in California & it's about time this happened.
Many formal papers have been drawn up, but no payments have yet to be distributed.
Did Sally have a say so? No
Did he let her go in Paris? No
Did he free their children? No
Did he love her? Of course not
We need a re-telling of this story!
Exactly
He freed the kids
@@joyk979 no he did not
@@mayreacts8030 he did
@@joyk979 not for the sake of his children 🙄 though.
Im so SICK of white ppl telling our history im so sick of seeing "slave" movies smh even in the new harriette tubman movie they just had to insert a "white" hero within the script smh
Selena Grinage Right
White washing, per usual in Hollywood.
This isn't your story. You were never a slave. Those people were strong willed and would tell blacks today to stop stealing their story like it was yours. Those people could only dream of living the life you live today. Stop acting like you have any idea what those people went through back then. And just to remind you her own family told the story. Did u not watch this at all?
Selena Grinage there was no white hero in the Harriett movie. Just giving information.
@Oh shoot Bang you have step outside your mind thinking we don’t have any idea of what our great and grandparents went through. Their lives was shared among the family and those event continued to be passed down. That why we know more about our history then you would think. You also sound crazy talking about the life we live now. Yes it better than being in physical bondage but don’t get it twisted it not that much better. We are still enslaved through our education, finance, housing, law enforcement, etc.
Are u fn kidding me...omg! Did I just hear what I heard! She lived a remarkable life as a slave and mistress.
They put a remarkable twist on it because no other slave was able to live abroad and experience freedom like she did.And also he freed her children like he said he would!
It is crazy these people talking about being a slave and master were lovers. I called BS!
@@Thollis1987 Yeah it's crazy alright .However,what could have started out as an outright rape could have in some sick way turned into a love that had conditions on it! If there is such a thing! It's like a parent sexually abusing their child and the child grows up loving the parent because that's the victims parent and then becoming used to the abuse so much that they start calling it love because the victim is told this or thinks it themselves.Mental illness at it's best! That's why the rape of a women and children should be punishable by death! Sally hemings was thinking about her children and their future!Those times were very brutal!
This is not love by no means.
Yes you did...the BULLSHIT, I just can't....I can't!!!!
Thank you for this truthful account of what this young woman's life was like. This is just one of the storys that should be taught in all our schools. This country was built by enslaved people and there's no reason we should not be teaching and discussing this history.
Not exactly a truthful story they're telling
They was not consent! He took it whenever he wanted it. And it was not Love it was lust. She had no Rights. She was a child..😡😡
Disgusting
There were no concept of childhood then ," children" were seen as little adults therefore it was possible to married females as young as 7 ,. that was how it then
@@neilnelmar8007 So? Just because it's how it was, doesn't make it right! The misogyny of patriarchy that viewed women as property was wrong then & is wrong now, here & everywhere else, full stop! Don't be making excuses for their bad behaviour. It's not that they didn't know. They just chose to ignore it & gratify themselves at the expense of others!
Back then there wasn’t an age law, this was normal for an older man to entertain a young girl about 14 years old.
This “documentary” is entirely too white.
Sally was mainly white!!
I think some folks are missing the point of my comment.
Thank you!😫😤🤮
Peggy liz As I commented, above, it seems that some of you completely miss the point of my original observation.
She’s talking about the “Love story” and “white washing” about a grown man raping a child!
A child he owned. This isn’t a love story at all.
I was irritated at how they made it seem as if going to France was some amazing adventure or that there were possibly romantic feelings. She was either threatened or didn’t want to abandon her siblings back home. Showing her how life could be and bringing her back to slavery was simply cruel. No one that actually loves someone would do that. Sounds more like continued taking advantage of this young girl and then woman for his own pleasure. She stuck around for the sake of her children who weren’t even recognized by their own father simply to buy their freedom. The only love in this story is the truest love of an amazing mother and horrendous sacrifices made for her children. If he had loved her, there would be a drawing or painting of her somewhere out there.
Diane Romanov There is also no mention of him trying to educate her or their children to read or write. His feelings about Blacks was well documented. He thought they were inferior.
Going to France is still an adventure today. Giving the circumstances of the time she had it better than those who were in the cotton farms
@Diane Romanov
Very well said!
@@Wonderer224 thank you.
YOU MADE GOOD POINTS..... EVEN THOUGH SHOWED EMOTIONS
She was amazing, her strength & ability to shape the futures of her children shows the strength of her spirit.
How the hell do you "INHERIT" a damn human being👀 smh
My point EXACTLY
Carolynska S You’re sick and pathetic and your old age, devil!!!! N for the record, just cause one my believe it’s normal or custom doesn’t make it right!!!!!!!
Selena Grinage
How does one man own another body and soul? 🤷♀️
@Carolynska S Also look at The Venus Project money-less society. Lab rats kill themselves flipping a lever in response to getting a dopamine stimulation, much same as money. Many like The Queen are remarkable trying to get to truth in a brainwashed world. J Fresco said "comm and tech" will change the world. We are at the age of Irony, Disruption, Nothingness, Truth and the final test, Infinity if we make it. ALL is feasible but evil money stands in the way of extreme human advancement.
Damn right crazy. EVIL people and still are
If Jefferson really loved Sally he would have left her in France where she was free
More 2 that im her granddaughter Im
I think she would have stayed in France if she didn’t really love him.
pain in the knee it wasn’t organic love
Amen
She decided not to stay in France, that was her decision not his.
This is NOT a love story ! It’s not like she could have denied him when he came demanding sex. She was a SLAVE and he was her master. There is no “love” in that. There is no “mutual respect” in that. Yes, he freed her children eventually but he kept her enslaved. Where is the love and mutual respect in that ? Smh.
She was not a slave at that time . She got pregnant in Paris as a free women .
This whole situation is just insane but one thing we do no is that Jefferson did keep her and all of her family together because they were half white and let’s just say Jefferson did fall in love with Sally (because it’s said that Sally looked exactly like Martha Jefferson because they were half sisters) in that time era you can’t marry your slave and people can’t find out about situations like that when the owner had “sex” with his slave even tho most slave owners did that. Sally isn’t alone obvious to tell us how she really felt but Heaven has got her now
@@cecilbrasfield8070 she was raped,you do know that right????? She was raped before she got pregnant,smh
@@cecilbrasfield8070 she was a slave he groomed her and raped her when she was a child enslaved
There’s no doubt in my mind that she thought she loved him. The age of consent back then was 12 depending on what state you were in. So by their own laws, he wasn’t a pedophile. They didn’t have the same laws and morals that we have today. Now we know better.
I was born and raised in Laos I know nothing about slavery until moved here to United States thanks for sharing. As painful as it is history is part of our lives it is important to learn from it learn from our mistakes so we can better ourselves for future generations
I agree I'm from Africa and to find outin My Country my own ppl owned there fellow Africans as slaves also my husband is Irish to find out even there were Irish slaves ugh slavery still exits
I'm glad you want to learn the truth. There are some who don't.
You didn’t know Africans were kidnapped and enslaved all over the world?? How is that possible please tell?
You must not have very much of an education, if you've never heard the history of how Africans were stolen, brought to America and then enslaved. What type of education did you receive where you didn't even know that your fellow Africans endured such a horror. They were your people; From your land.
Interesting point. Was slavery a mistake? Today we most certainly think it was a mistake, wrong and even evil. But let's look back for a moment. Ancient Romans used slavery for a thousand years. It was a foundation of their society. Moreover Slaves had some rights and some became free and became movers and shakers within their society. Some freedman became rich and influential Roman citizens. So was slavery cruel or just the system? Roman slavery was probably no better or worse than was the institution in the Anti Bellum South. So think about it.
Baby yall are tearing them up in these comments. lololololololololol
😭😭😭 I’m reading them faster than watching this video. 😂
Right!😂
Just telling the truth keeping it real
A lot hate filled rhetoric towards white men....get off chest now
I'm just here for the comments cuz babeeeeeeeee y'all going in 👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾
i just want to hear sally’s story w out it’s being downplayed, sugarcoated and disrespected. she deserved better and her story deserves better.
Real talk
I don’t think it’s sugar coated. There is more than one scene in which the question of whether this relationship was voluntary on her part was considered. I do think she made a mistake when she came back from Paris, instead of staying. She had all the training to make her way in Paris as a domestic, or a dressmaker, the maker of fine linen… I guess she was scared not to go home. She was so young.
The reason the producers talk about all the experiences of living in Paris, was not to imply that it was a fun adventure for Sally. It was to show that she was a cultured, educated woman who had received training in crafts and domestic arts.
@@minnahumble2294 it is very sugarcoated, she was a young black girl that was taking advantage of sexually, and she didn't have any choices, number one she was very young oh, it did what she had to do with Thomas Jefferson slave owner
@@thefirstiagree1091 at 14 she would have been considered an adult added to that her status as slave means she was property
Actually in the 17th century marriage like between age gaps had existed yeah it’s very disturbing about what happens in the past once which was slavery
I don't know how many others caught it, but it is brought out that Sally Hemings was a younger 1/2 sister to Martha Jefferson, wife of Thomas Jefferson.
Darcie Jones, yes they made that clear several times, so there could have possibly been a closeness already with Martha and Sally as 1/2-siblings.
He was not a good man
Thanks for documenting this for posterity.
I’m a descendant of this remarkable women. Her story has been passed down many generations.
That is so amazing. How did u find out-dna or word of mouth? If u find out about it through word of mouth I’d love to know what else the family has been sharing about ancestors.
WOMAN!! Jeez...singular. WOMEN is plural.
So am I we need to meet. I wonder how many of us are out here in the world
@@ChrissyandChaos that’s amazing I’ve followed this story for so long.I hope you had a Merry Christmas and an even better New Year!!! It was interesting to see this documentary. I would also like to go to Virginia. Did you find that you were a Hemings descendant through DNA?
@@nadiaddis1145 get over yourself, you ever heard of grammatical or typing error or someone's first language is not english.
He was a rapist, she didn’t have any choice in the matter stop trying to make the relationship something it wasn’t, she was a child.
The legal age was 11 at that time.
@@josieber8032 slavery was legal at that time, it doesn't make it right.
@@josieber8032 just because it was legal doesn't make it right it was rape
@@emilystaff9626 it was not stop.with your emotional rubbish
Absolutely disgusting that he took advantage of Sally. Slavery of any type comes from the pits of hell.
Slavery was a part of nearly every people group. There were many black people who owned slaves in the U.S. If you haven't watched the PBS series "Finding Your Roots" you should. Very eye opening.
@@dust1ification And? Every nation has murderers, but that doesn't make it acceptable.
Well put !
Grown man takes 14 years old ....and he is not good looking AT ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!.......
@@dust1ification Weird how people always wanna scream that very few white people owned slaves yet now somehow “many” Black people are owned slaves. The black slave owners were noted for being exceptions. The average person couldn’t afford a slave. Yet somehow many black people in the US had them? It’s absolutely disgusting how this is a new misinformation tactic that I see in every single video discussing slavery.
@@dust1ification Just because some places in the world practiced slavery doesnt mean that every single version was the same. Many of them were not heritable states. You weren’t born a slave. Stop justifying racism in a so-called advanced society. Even in that time, being with a 14-year-old when you were in your 40s unmarried was considered morally wrong.
Sally was a very resilient and wise woman. She was in survival mode. She didn’t always trust Jefferson but she grew to as far as she could throw him. She would’ve never chose this life for herself or her children. She would’ve much rather they be free. I believe her loyalty spoke for itself. Sally knew that one day we would come to know her family history. She is American history.
We want the truth, this is what makes our country so beautiful. Make ups of so many different backgrounds struggles strength and endurance. America is all of us born here coming together to get more compassion love and respect for all that is deserved based on basic principle. Black history is American history.❤️Love is the medicine!! Love and respect for ALL. One nation☝🏽
This was so watered down smh
rockstarglam mona It really was and they romanticized everything.
Exactly disgusting these folks
white washed
She was 3/4ths white.
How could they refer to SALLY AS A MISTRESS??!!!! How dare??!!!!!
You don't know the reason they saying that because he's a white man and the president that's why they trying to clean up after him after his one big mess
I know right! To not call her a victim of his abuse is one thing, but a mistress?!
So true
This story telling is absolutely disgusting. She did not have a choice, she was an owned child slave. There is the difference.
Sally became a concubine. How can you make a mistress out of a
teenage girl.
inheritance? he inherited a slave?????? disturbing
Yes. That’s how many people ended up with slaves. I think Abraham Lincoln also inherited some slaves after he married Mary Todd. Slaves were a part of the economic system, just like any other kind of property or livestock.
He inherited slave from his farther? which doesnt make since..
@liseg89 thanks ♥️
You obviously don’t know your history. Thank goodness this dreadful practice was abolished
You need to learn the history of the slave trade
This is example of pure evil not wicked. He gave the example, of him being rejected and also how he rejected her, and why America's had to be built, by her people and for her people protection. He acknowledged, that one must see his actions and be wise of the war, that is in hearts of man. Although, he contributed to the suffering of women ,some whites were the refuge of the women, to be housed and given some freedom. Let's not discredit the good nor overlook the Evil or wicked intentions in his words and actions. He knew it was wrong to do, so , however he was in a tough position, so to forge secured property rights, and the whole Louisiana purchase of the Natives side of land here, he had to win her over and used her to teach or give the children the lie. ❤
This all just sounds waaaaay too romanticized!!
And wtf how does the name Monica Lewinsky even come into play to compare Sally's situation to hers??? Wtf?!!
It comes into play because Jeffersons political opponents used the entire affair in order to discredit and ostracize him from the public, just as was done to Clinton in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
And the Island that Epstein, Clinton, Bush, Trump etc..... laud with young girls. It’s normal for those in office.
@@getmeoutofsanfrancisco9917 but Clinton was married and screwed around on his wife while holding the highest office in the land and Jefferson was continuously raping and enslaving children!!!!
This is an attempted to made Monica Lewinsky out to be a victim of abuse..it's disgusting
Sally made the best of the situation she was in. She had the good sense to get Jefferson to free her children. It doesn't matter to me if they loved each other or not. The fact that her children were free is everything.
I dont think it's that amazing, the children and Sally should never been slaves in the first place.
@@Morbing_Time you can't judge their time with today's value
@@sakurakou2009 Yes you can. Morals do not change with time.
I agree it was the most Sally could hope for. But it wasnt everything as it wadnt everyone. I feel for Sally. Every human yearns to be free ir she wouldnt have sacrifuces to get the best offer rather than saying guarantee of her childrens freedom.
Their children 👍
I'm just putting myself in Sally's shoes. 1st these children who are her "masters" are actually her neice and nephews. And Jefferson is actually her brother in law. The whole thing is very insestuest. And I cant imagine going from being free in France and back to be a slave in the us. What a culture shock and change. What a brave women she truly was!
I am a American and my cousin is a Canadian citizen who 2 generations of the slaves in her family who worked on the Sugarcane plantations. She had many stories about her family and she shared them with us. Her father was a great Artist.
It’s insane how a person can romanticize this situation. Implying that she she may have been in love with him is incredulous. She was not a free woman, sorry CHILD. Absolutely sick and it gets even sicker today with folks trying to spark up some kind of twisted fantasy
THANK YOU. It absolutely is disgusting how they are describing this as consensual. In no way was it or will ever be she was a child born into slavery taught to always listen to their abuser. She kept quiet because she was a slave. She was coerced back to VA with lies. She was an innocent child taken advantage of. She was most likely groomed.
F ThomasJ
@@ursamajor6347 it’s called w.. supremacy
It's more palatable to many Caucasians to think of it as a love story, instead of the truth, which was that a white slave master impregnated a child through rape.
💯! He took his lordship over her to the grave by not freeing her after his death. This story is cruel and the way it was narrated was repugnant.
@@TheDaanishh3 agreed!
I HATE WHEN I HEAR "FOUNDING FATHERS"👀 smh
Imagine how natives feel when they hear the discovery of America and make this white Invaders seem like heroes,when they came murder and rape
She was slave and was used as a slave😭😭
I hear ya Selena
America as it is today or as we know, it is thanks to those first thinkers, therefore they were the founders
@@clementinofrancisco3199 Lady PLEASE
The historian said that slaves actually "did fall in love with their masters," and that "to say that Sally had no feelings for Jefferson, is to say that an enslaved person could not love." Um no, that's ridiculous, and an attempt to make Jefferson look attractive and benevolent while toying with Ms. Hemings' legacy. Slaves could absolutely love. It's just that when slave masters saw black men and women together, there were very quick and efficient at breaking up families and marriages, and selling off children to destroy the family unit. When they, their mothers, sisters and daughters weren't being brutally raped themselves, black women had to witness their men, brothers, fathers and sons being whipped, maimed, castrated and murdered by slave masters and overseers. Ms. Hemings' molestation and rape by Thomas Jefferson began when she was only 14. She was owned, and therefore did not have the maturity nor the choice of developing a love for him. For all that she endured at the hands of this pedophile, her blood cries out to us to not let her story be misrepresented today, as it has been in movies and documentaries like this one.
Enslavement is a clear sign of hate. He never loved her, African blood flowed through her veins. She and all their children were slaves. He hated them all. You can't strattle the fence and love your slave that you refuse to set free, instead of letting them go as a sign of love, But place terms and conditions on her freedom.
I Yo jhuhhy
@@moniqueroberts5523 Are you reaply sure about that?
Point me to the law of the time that says their relationship was rape and abusive ,.educate me please as to how rape was define at the time
@@neilnelmar8007 that's sick. Rape doesn't have to be legally acknowledged to be considered wrong. If there's no consent, if one of them is unwilling, that's rape.
A very well made video. I've heard this story before, and find this video an interesting summery.
If Sally was alive, she would be screaming “#me too”
Facts####Facts wtf is this bull shit Rape/pedophile
Dude you're completely missing the point. She wasn't old enough or mature enough to make those decisions properly... Older men convince young besotted girls to do crazy--even illegal--things all the time. Even if she had feelings for him, he took terrible advantage of it, every second single day, for the rest of his days.
It was RAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@olajuwonwilliams1575 haha hahs she couldn't
@@restezlamemewhat was the age of consent at the time and how was law define?
Thomas Jefferson was born 1743
Sally Hemmings was born 1773
Enough Said......
And so on!
Not every man wants an old woman, like the french president Macron.
@@vanlendl1 * Why is it only men that get what they want?
@@vinnyfatstacks1644 * That sounds definitely not hot - sick is more like it! Unfortunately for our country, DNA has proven that Thomas Jefferson was caught up in what it appears that he taught against.
@@chaishalom8701 Men have more time. A woman has a limited time to get children. That is the main reason.
It is crazy how some of these people really try to justify what happened with Sally. There was no way she could agree to be with someone decades older than her. Especially someone who owned her. What is she going to tell him? No? I highly doubt their relationship was consensual.
That part. The lengths some people go to to be comfortable with a lie.
Tell that to her descendants who don't agree with the opinions of the uninformed populous who believe they know more than her descendants.
The fact that the first 3 minutes started with the words ADVENTURE and CHOICES SHE MADE was so disrespectful
Sally had the option to stay in France and become a free woman but elected to go back to America with Jefferson
You are exactly right,I said the same thing.👍🏾
So sad that there is no drawing or picture of Sally. Heartbreaking that no one even knows where she was buried
Her descendants still live so part of her does go on
It is not "heart breaking". It is just the times. I'll bet most people don't have a portait of themselves hanging on a wall somewhere. Our visage will be forgotten too.
I was born in Virginia in 1955. All of my life, I heard about famous white slave owners (including Thomas Jefferson) who had children with female slaves. I am surprised that people are just discovering that female slaves were treated as property. The history of slavery in the USA is a sad and tragic one. Slavery was definitely a cruel institution.
Slave were property so if anyone is surprise that female slaves were considered property clearly don't know anything about slavery
A lot of black Americans owned slaves, too. That doesn't make it right but there is plenty of sin to go around in all of us.
@@dust1ification this is something that is not offten discussed but yes white women ,and black men and women owed slave too
Agnes, we all understand this.
@dust1ification not alot. That is a lie that keeps being repeated.
This is just SICK!! You people should be ashame of yourselves. A 14 years old CHILD held against her will.....SMH🤦🏿♀️ I hate this narrative. This was no romantic beautiful love story. She had NO CHOICE!!
Imagine what would have happened to her in Africa..Not only brutal enslavement but incredibly harsh living conditions...So.....Was she really unfortunate...What if jeffetson loved her...Do your research on the barbaric enslavement and tyrannical treatment by the Overlords on the African continent before you derail her life in America....
@@JackPeters-yk9wg Wow, spoken like a true white guy; straight up Eurocentric patriarchal nonsense. That you think African folks don't value their children and abuse them is more telling of yourself than them. BTW- Enslavement is NOT better than death! ... & we're not even going to get into her sexual abuse & exploitation by a dirty old man. Clearly, you lack the mental capacity to exercise the necessary theory of mind for conceptualization, let alone comprehension.
I’m from Charlottesville where Monticello resides. Growing up people always made Thomas Jefferson out to be some hero. Obviously anyone with slaves could never hold that title. Truth is so vital to our education and healing.
No
There were not many other jobs than working on a plantation. They were far apart and no malls or K-Marts to work for. Many plantation owners were admired especially Thomas Jefferson. Put yourself in that time and see what you can then and be honest.
He wrote the Declaration of Independence! His contributions to our country are what ended slavery in the long run. Would you rather live somewhere else?
You forget that some people were brought here again their well. How "ENTITLED " of you are to ask someone if they preferred to live somewhere else. You are a big problem when it comes to equity and fairness.
@@EUZELIA Jefferson was a poor farmer as was his degenerate father. Jefferson claimed the bodies, souls and inventions of his slaves as his own. He is trash. Just like hitler. He should never be celebrated
Amazing doc. Thanks for sharing! I heard the stiry in school but never got a deep stufy of it. This is great ❣️
I think they did a terrible job of telling Sally Hemings story. They mused from beginning to end whether or not she loved him. If she did, it would be due to what's called Grooming. These people do it all the time so that children won't know love from abuse & not fight back. Manipulated her mind at a young age, older, powerful man. It was such a dysfunctional & sick dynamic... And It really was sounding to me like the storytellers were trying to still protect Jefferson's legacy - maybe it wasn't so bad, maybe she loved him-she sacrificed her life for her children's freedom, I'm calling BS on all of it. Only one of those children was alive when she was in Paris. If she really could have stayed, she should have. Master & Slave in love?! Seriously?!
True that..the child was still in the womb in Paris. I think she was forced to leave Paris..super sad!
THE BEST COMMENT EVER 👍
They just can't bring themselves to admit what Jefferson did to Sally and probably many other slaves
There are millions or teenage girls alive today who would gladly leave their families and move in with a rich, famous actor or pop star. To be offended at the very mention that she may have fancied him is pretty close-minded. These historians are giving possible scenarios. You act like you know what happened. You don't know any more than they know.
@@SunnyGirlFlorida and that would be grooming because as an adult, you have a responsibility to reject such advances. A child will grow up and thank that the adults they had childhood crushes on did not take advantage of them. Because that’s what it is. If a child moved in with a super star and began a relationship, even one that they “initiated” that wouldn’t make that okay. Money or power does not change the fact a *A child cannot consent*. A child slave certainly cannot consent, especially since legally she did not even own her own body. It shouldn’t have to be spelled out that the power imbalance between slave owner and enslaved makes any “relationship” between the two, abusive, coercive, and rape. When you are a slave, you can be sold, you can be killed. The people you know are in 1 general region. You may have children. You had have no prospects in paid work. Leaving is not an option.
We know what happened because this was routine with slave owners. Thomas Jefferson isn’t better then the lot of them. They raped their women and humiliated their men. None of those individuals could consent to any relationship with any slave owner. A black enslaved man could not consent with a white female slave owner, neither could a black enslaved woman with a white male slave owner. The question of whether a young enslaved woman fancied a slave owner shouldn’t be a topic of discussion when portraying what actually happened. Because we could go on and make the wild assumption that a an enslaved girl had a crush on the man who owned her entire being and was the reason for her suffering throughout her life, and it still wouldn’t matter. Because she could not consent.
I am a 71 year old educator. As one of many African American students attending college in Cleveland, Ohio during the late 60's, early 70's we were able to successfully promote and incorporate African American studies into the educational system. Johnson Publication's 'Ebony' and 'Jet' magazine exposed Jefferson and the anti bellum slave system exactly as most of the viewers have already intelligently recognized. In fact, sometime during the period of time I previously referenced myself and others as college campus activists, Johnson Publication (Lerome Bennett Jr, historian) exposed Thomas Jefferson as having an affair with a 12 yr old child. *Phylis Wheatly and other enslaved Africans were noted as being 12 years old. Clearly this was child trafficking and rape! In fact, a British sympathiser, Rolly Rolls lost his property in the colonies, but was rewarded for his loyalty by the British Crown with a gift of an island in the Caribbean; whereupon Rolls took a handful of slaves and fathered 300 offspring. It should also be noted that women were considered "bad luck" on ship's. That problem was conveniently solved by all ships (including Piarates' ships) having a young boy aprox 15 years old accompany them as their 'cabin boy.' We see this same type mentality in prison institutions today. That said, that same mentality of buck breaking control was implemented on plantations as well as castration to control males, making them docile and unthreatening to the slave master's wife, concubines and female offspring. All of these inconsiderate atrocities explain the docility of the male 'house negroes'. Jefferons' records of children dying before age 4 lead me to believe that those children aka chattel were probably sold. Finally, I recently researched Sally Hemmings and her brother's journey to Paris and back to the colonies. Sally Hemmings brother refused work as Jefferson's chef beyond their agreed upon terms and opened a very successful restaurant. However, a few years later he committed suicide. Which leads me to the question: was this man, like his sister, a victim of rape and or castration as well? This 'his story' document clearly is an effort to promote a nice guy image of one of America's many hypocritical founders.
My apology for the grammar errors. My smartphone took the liberty of editing my text.
There are so many things that are kept from the public. I hate that. I wish the truth would just be told as it was. Thank you for enlightening
Thank you so much for that information!
Thank you for your work. Thank you for sharing this information. ♥️
Thank you for telling truths and not fairy tales.
Absolutely intriguing! She was a teenager and had no choice. I agree this was not a love story she was a child and he was a grown man!!
Thanks for saying this. It was completely ignored in the film.
She wasn't regarded as a child then
He was a rich powerful man. She was a 14 year old enslaved girl. We can’t possibly understand and certainly can’t second guess this young girl.
AND her owner!
@@neilnelmar8007well she should’ve been. And that’s the point.
Sally did the best she could for herself and her children. Judge her for the times she lived in. It is certain that she must have been a real beauty even tho no paintings exist of her. Also, people say her voice was the same as Patsy, her half sister.
Indeed, Sallie was an interesting and influential individual. I'll bet on sum she lived a long and happy life. She ended up her years living with her son, who was by all accounts a successful individual. If asked, I'll bet Sallie would say that she lived a happy life.
Im.sure there are Some painting
Of Sally
Most Bi Racial people of that day
Their Masters Had portraits
They are HIDDEN
I bet those Jefferson Family Reunions
are getting mighty interesting. 😎
I’m a Bryant. I already know what time it is with the white ones and them get togethers😎
Oprah Winfrey did an episode with direct descendants from both Martha Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. It was pretty interesting.
@@adlihloetz7162 where is it? On OWN ? I don’t like how they cover this up in history. Hurts my feelings. I’m crying. This is the WEAKEST stuff in history. And he was one of the founding fathers. And I believe he was GHEY 🗣🗣🗣🗣
@@antoinettesmith4307 Bi *
C 7 c by
Heartbreaking💔💔💔. Thomas Jefferson will give an accout to God in Judgement Day.
Oh, it going down before Christ! Exposed, naked, defenseless! The same way he raped Sally!
Yes, God is no respecter of persons! God does not care if the adulterer or rapist was a king, president or emperor.
@@pearlware4388 Do you even know what you're talking about?
Everyone would.
@@thewonderingwatcher I am talking about what the Bible says. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge.
“Relationship” is a strong word. This documentary makes it seem like they met at a local store and dated and fell in love. She was his property and he did with her whatever he wanted. Who knows how Sally really felt but I’m sure it wasn’t a love story. Rather a story of power and abuse and confusion.
100% " he never acknowledged his enslaved children." This alone shares how little love there was. Sally was incredible. Like any mother wants, she made sure her childrens lives were better than hers.
lulz ... power dynamic relationship is not a relationship
Sally was 12 when she accompanied the Jefferson's to Paris. She went to Paris as a maid for Jefferson's daughter. Jefferson did not like her and did not want her to go, but his objections were overcome. You can read this in his letters.
TJ's younger brother, Randolf, was known to frequent the slave quarters and socialize with the slaves. Thomas was far older than Sally and sexual association between persons of such an age and social disparity was frowned upon then as now. Socialization between the races was also frowned upon, especially between slaves and owners. Randolf, however, was known to break all those social rules. Thomas was not known for such improprieties. It is far more likely that Sally passed down Randolf Jefferson's DNA, not Thomas'.
Exactly
@jacquelinerodriguez3213
That's because he didn't have any enslaved children. This is pure spin. It's a known fact TJ found Blacks unattractive. He would never touch a slave. But his imbuceil brother would and did. Leave this great man alone.
This was a fantastic story. I loved it and shared it. Thanks so much. 🙏🏻‼️🇺🇸. Sally was exceptional.
With all the “ facts” we know, Sally was a slave and the man who owned her used her in any way he wanted. Even if there was documentation that she loved the man who used her, and enslaved her children, she was a captive slave and and I would contribute that love to Stockholm Syndrom where people gaslight themselves to survive and deal with that trauma.
Hello Stacey how are you doing today?Sally Hemings is a hero🙏🏼🙌🏼 How many enslaved women do we know the full names of? She lives on into the future! Her story is being told. People think of her. She could never have imagined 😪😪
@@parkersmith7611 yes, but that doesn't negate the facts that Stacy stated. 2 things can be true at the same time.
@@babygirlshari4223 Yeah you are right any ways...where are you texting from?
Exactly!!
hello Shari
There was no record of the first child because they probably sold that baby off and covered his back. SMH...
They said here that the child died soon after birth
I think that although it was wrong - slavery f it is over than we should rise above it don't act like we still live in those times of slavery.
@@shantejamison3378 yes! absolutely we should rise above it. but it's history it's in the books and now on the internet for everybody to see, and therefore you are entitled to your own opinion.
I think he propbaly killed that baby..or maybe she did.
The fact that they try so hard to portray his abuse of power as a love story is so unsettling
Rubbish rubbish .what would you have called it if she whipped or sole her ,she was a slave and what jefferson did was within the bounds of the law as it relate to their relationship .
@@neilnelmar8007 shut up Neil, you're a Trump supporter
@@punkanellylovejoy702 haha is that all you can say ?
@@neilnelmar8007 need I say more?
@@neilnelmar8007 how was I able to figure out that you're a trump supporter? A lucky guess? Hardly
She was a slave. She had no choices.
I'm reading this book about Sally's life and its very eye opening on slavery and the inequality of early America
I highly recommend it! The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette-Gordon Reed.
@@MaryLou913 Thanks for the resource.
Does the book mention how Africans sold their slaves to Europeans and how an overwhelming majority of slaves ended up in Brazil and the Caribbean? They seldom start these stories at the actual beginning.
considered her maid....but she was the Aunt...Sally's children n her half sister, Martha's children (all Jefferson"s children) were cousins and brothers/sisters.....
Smh
Nasty
I've been questioning this DNA testing thing too. If I understand correctly, Martha and Thomas were cousins of sorts, which would make any children from Sally or Martha show up with Jefferson DNA anyway regardless of the father. Is my assumption correct?
Sally was stuck in a position. She was subject to Martha no matter where Thomas Jefferson was. DISGUST!
Interesting I just found that out today absolutely fascinating
Breaks my heart... she was so young. Let remember her as brave ❤️🙏🏼a mother who will endure anything for her children
It breaks my heart, that a teenage girl was used by a man who owned her just for his sexual pleasure.
@@jeffmode6526 her life could have been worst
What a wonderful piece of knowledge to know ‼️🙏🏽
A 43 year old Thomas and 14 year old Sally, yet a “sweet gentle love affair” 😂 Come on, he raised her from the time she was 2. I’m sure he didn’t start with her when she was 14, that’s just when she got pregnant.
Well if she were in africa do you think her live would have been better ?
Hell yeah, genius. She would have been with her family & her tribe! Slavery is having zero rights, you're property! Crawl back into your hole.
@@neilnelmar8007 no but thats not an excuse or justification of what may or may not have happened.
@@neilnelmar8007 It may have been better in Africa, although slavery existed on the continent of Africa as well as on other continents. Slaves were considered human though and whoever lost a war was enslaved. The Ancient Romans enslaved mainly other White people. Even today, in some parts of Africa and India, parents arrange marriages for their daughters when they complete puberty. In Africa. It has always been legal for a man to have more than one wife in most parts of Africa and those African men give those children born of those marriages their last names and openly acknowledge them. Read about our former President Obama, one of the very few African-Americans who knows his real name. President Obama knows all of his half-sisters and brothers who were raised in Africa and they all have the last name, Obama. Mahatma Gandhi and his wife were both married at the age of 13 in a beautiful ceremony. Even in the United States, there have been 13-year-old girls like the singer Loretta Lynn, who insisted upon marrying at the age of 13. She pressured her parents into signing for her.
@@tsarina24honolulu87 well if it happened it would have happened at time when it perfectly legal therefore no law would have been broken .
Thank you to all of the good people in the comments who saved me 44 minutes and 41 seconds of my time! God will bless you 💜💜
This is just proof black women never get to see the privilege of being a child. We are always sexualized and treated poorly.
Black girls are definetly NOT the only ones who are having their child hood stolen. I know how that feels! And it's unfair. No matter what color we are or nationality we were born into rich or poor, sick minded bastards exist everywhere! Sad... Just too sad!!!!!
Facts
I guess I wasn't understood, a pleasant, happy, priveliged childhood is not a reality for many little girls no matter what color or nationality, please don't close your eyes to that nasty truth.
I didn’t have a great childhood and I’m white. Has nothing to do with skin color.
Nobody is saying it’s only avi skin color it’s just for several black girls their skin color affects it
What a well done documentary the historical accuracy must me applauded! The question of love between Jefferson and Sally is muted by how all marriages during that time period and Jefferson’s social class are transactional! His marriage to Sally’s half sister was just that and resulted in a deep and abiding love! Sally’s relationship with Jefferson was mostly transactional in the beginning no doubt because she said she would stay in Paris and not go home without the agreement she wanted! Make no mistake SHE HAD THE POWER OF A WOMAN ! Jefferson knew he risk all with the relationship no doubt about his feelings! One of American historys most amazing stories! Thanks to all involved in producing this, and particularly Annette Gordon - Reed author of THE HEMINGES of MONTICELLO a must read for anyone interested in Jefferson.
7th 8 I 7th
She was 14 how is it possible to call it love or a romantic relationship, it’s called “SLAVERY”
200 years ago such behavior was perfectly legal and acceptable
@@neilnelmar8007 Welcome to the present.
@@omamajohnpaul4215 is thomas jefferson living in the present ?why don"t you people, go and have talk with jerry lee lewis,he is still alive .He married his 12 year old cousin in the 1960s
@@neilnelmar8007 Nelmar,,, It was NOT perfectly acceptable and lawful to everyone..never was, never will be..u make excuses for mens dispicable behaviour who rape
@@barbaratrueman185 it was lawful ,it was acceptable and it was not rape according to the law of the time .stop talking rubbish
As with most slave owners, this act of psychological and emotional bondage was well played by Thomas Jefferson. The captive feels threatened, but is highly reliant on their captor for survival. When the captor shows kindness, the captive perceives the captors humanity developing a delusional alliance, believing they have shared values and goals. This is referred to as “Stockholm syndrome”. A person who experiences this condition comes to bond with their captor and may also experience feelings of love, empathy, or a desire to protect. Sadly, I believe Sally Hemings was a victim of Stockholm syndrome.
Stockholm Syndrome came to my mind also. Especially considering she could have easily stayed in France as a free woman.
This was at best Stockholm's syndrome and rape through generations
Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson wife Martha were half Sister. They had the same father.
Wow!
We all watched the documentary
He basically slept with his wife half sister knowingly.smh
@@nikkitabradley7737 after his wife died. It happens a lot throughout history.
@@DeeDeeThirtyFive wrong it happened when the wife was alive. Also these men always visited the slave house .
Poor Sally. Impregnated by a rapist and forced to choose the lesser of two evils. The fact that she maintained any shred of dignity is remarkable.
Rest Well Dear Sister 🖤
Do you have evidence for that? That she was forced into it. Yes she was child but there was no age of consent back then, wouldn't everybody be a child rapist.
@@lampad4549 I did not call him a child rapist but maybe you are burdened by his behavior as well. The age of consent was different back then but she was his 14 year old mistresses and not his wife.
In regards to your question, and I will respond objectively to it, yes there is evidence she was forced. She was his slave. She therefore did not have any say over what this rapist (and he was more than that of course) did to her. If he had “given” Sally her freedom and then propositioned her, she would have had a choice.
@@thaobserva Our modern understanding of what a teenager/adolescence is didn’t even exist until the early 20th century, if you were old enough to ovulate you were considered a woman.
Also she did technically have a chance to make a choice in France but hey I guess you know as much or more about how Sally felt as/than Sally herself. The ignorance or even hubris some people have about this topic never ceases to surprise me. Jefferson was a complicated man of his time but he was not bad, he did more to try and blunt Slavery than most if not all people of his generation did. Thomas Jefferson did not ask to be a slave owner they were dumped on him through inheritance that already had debt tied to it to begin with.
@@CbsOmegaOmniX Your brief analysis of Jefferson is more emotional than objective but you are right on one point, he was a complicated man. I was not attempting to pigeon hole him. In addition to his unfortunate relations with Sally, he was also a capable statesman, albeit a very shrewd one.
What we do know is that Jefferson did not marry his own daughter off to an old man at that age. We are discussing the liberties he took with his 14 year old slave/mistress. Not a 14 year old free woman he married.
Sally could have stayed in France? What 14/15 year old is ready to stay in a foreign country and never see their family again?? She was not formally educated so it is reasonable to assume that she was not even fluent in the French language.
Thank you for your thoughts though. Dialogue is important.
@@CbsOmegaOmniX
And the excuses continue. Jefferson was a hypocrite just as the other authors of the Constitution.