The Dark Legacy of Equality's Founder Thomas Jefferson's paternity of children with enslaved Sally Hemings is a long settled matter in historical circles, but its significance extends far beyond a simple resolution to one of America's oldest family feuds.
Confirmation by DNA study prompts us to reexamine the founding ideals of our nation and confront the glaring contradictions between Jefferson's words and actions.
Jefferson's Declaration of Independence enshrined equality as a cornerstone of American values, yet he enslaved over 600 people at his Monticello estate, including Hemings herself.