They acknowledge both the good and the bad.”Ĭabrera said he encourages any University members concerned about the topics of this event to please attend. “This is not the case, as students are only being completely transparent with his legacy. “Using the word ‘defend’ implies that Jefferson is being attacked,” Bretton explained. The transatlantic slave trade was outlawed during Jefferson’s presidency but continued illegally.īretton, however, disagreed with the way that the event has been presented. As the number of enslaved individuals in Virginia steeply increased from nearly 300,000 at the end of the 18th century to nearly 500,000 by the start of the 19th century, Jefferson spoke out against the transatlantic slave trade, believing that maintaining it would destroy the federal union and lead to civil war. “We are defending his countless other contributions that he made as a founding father.”Ĭabrera said one of Jefferson’s major contributions to society was his effort to abolish the transatlantic slave trade. “I do think it is important to understand that he was a slave owner, but that is not the part of him that we are honoring and defending at this event,” Cabrera said. During his presidency, Jefferson was also responsible for the Louisiana Purchase from France that almost doubled the size of the United States. Jefferson actually was and why now more than ever it is important that we defend him and acknowledge his contributions to society,” Cabrera said.Ĭabrera said the upcoming event was intended to focus on the other contributions Jefferson has made to the country and to the University, such as writing the Declaration of Independence and serving as the nation’s third president. “We are hosting this event to shine light on who Mr. and second-year College student, told The Cavalier Daily the event is meant to focus on why Jefferson’s legacy should be remembered. Nickolaus Cabrera, chairman of YAF at U.Va. “ of their actions seem to have violent intentions.” “ agenda has placed priorities on values that are degrading towards minorities,” first-year College student Kimberly Mugaisi said.
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University President Jim Ryan recently drew backlash for posting a series of photos with members of YAF’s executive board thanking them for organizing a 9/11 memorial. In fall 2020, the national organization of YAF posted selectively-edited videos of a Student Council meeting that went viral online, which led to the harassment of many representatives of color. This is not the first time YAF - an organization that aims to uphold conservative American values and provide conservative representation - has been embroiled in controversy at the University. students should be remembering the past, looking back on our wrongdoings and ensuring that we don't make the same mistakes again, we should not be 'defending' a man who built a university on the back of racist principles,” Bretton said. Jefferson” carries a negative connotation. Jefferson bought, sold, mortgaged and leased enslaved laborers to maintain his plantations and uphold his wealthy status.ĭue to Jefferson’s controversial history, many students are criticizing YAF for shining a positive light on the former president at the event.įirst-year Engineering student Natalie Bretton said the “defending of Mr. While Jefferson at times opposed enslavement - calling it a “moral depravity” and a “hideous blot” - he also profited directly from the institution. Over 4,000 enslaved laborers lived, worked and built the University, even decades after Jefferson’s death.
Jefferson owned more than 600 enslaved people during his adult life and DNA evidence demonstrates that he fathered at least six children with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman at his plantation home Monticello. 3 Instagram post announcing the event, with the majority of these comments coming from frustrated community members disagreeing with YAF’s values. The organization received over 100 comments on their Oct.
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