Black Descendants Of Thomas Jefferson Speak Out At Monticello | TODAY

I remember when Sally Hemmings descendants showed up and was thrown out of a Jefferson celebration. It's a remarkable step forward to see that some of Jefferson's family members have come around to accept the truth about the past.

I did a DNA test and found out that I'm related to the slave master of my 3rd GG. (White mother, Slave) The crazy thing is that we still stay in the same land that we were released from slavery to. My family remained sharecroppers and servants for them up until the 1980s. So much history is yet to be uncovered in America.

When she said children made the bricks that slaves used to build this house that hit... We always think of grown men and women but we need to remember that they lived their whole lives as slaves. Babies, toddlers, pre teens, teenagers, and old men if they make it. All were subject to some form of cruelty and the denial of a fulfilling life.🙁

As a descendant of Jefferson, and his wife, I too think Jefferson was a hypocrite. I’m glad Monticello has acknowledged his children with Sally Hemmings. It has taken too long.

The part I hate the most about slavery is taking children from their mother. That is beyond heartless. That kind of pain broke many. It's just cruel and evil

I think these parts of history are important for this reason. Let’s not erase history and forget the horrific things that have happened, but recognize them, honor the victims, and make sure it does not happen again. Hearing the perspective of the woman who said it was important to see it in person was powerful. There is beauty and pain and both deserve to be learned about

It is sometimes very difficult, or impossible, to put yourself in a long-ago era. I remember learning in the 4th grade about women's suffrage. I could not believe that women did not have the right to vote up until well into the 20th century. It astounded me. A slightly different example would be my 15 year-old niece who cannot imagine that smoking was once permitted in movie theaters, restaurants, almost everywhere. "How could people allow that for all those years and not complain?" she asked.

I got chills when mrs Simmons spoke. “To see beauty and pain”. Wow that was powerful

I am so happy one of the descendants works there to give her perspective.

I am a minority and the past is a significance of where a society has been and how far it has come. Its a reminder to never go back. Without these remembrances as reminders, it gives nothing to society to hold onto as an historical reminder in a positive light to never return.

America needs to heal. They have never healed from the past horrors that plague them. And until that happens the problems that plague them today will never change.

Wonderful tribute, thank you so much for this history lesson!

The USA needs to start acknowledging that slaves built the country. Willingly or not when people have contributed so massively to a country gratitude and appreciation needs to be shown to the enslaved and their descendants. Celebrating their work, sacrifice and accomplishments. This will not negate the suffering and how disgusting slavery is, but show how their black heritage is strength and courage. Hopefully it would help the younger generation to look at what people built dis-spite what they had to endure and inspire them that they can achieve anything.

The part about the bricks had me crying. How awful for those kids.

🤎🖤❤️ when this is over I want to visit Monticello with my daughter...So many stories...so many lives

I am so glad to see these changes beginning in my lifetime.

Thomas Jefferson said "we're all born free" what was between the lines " except you 3/5ths of a human now git back to work slaves". Man The Founders made a terrible compromise on slavery that is still a blight and burden upon this nation.

this made me cry so hard

What a beautiful message they have.....this story is very beautiful!!

Ironically there's no scene of him interacting with Sally being acted out.