Going Against the Grain by Jacqueline Royster

In “Going Against the Grain”, the author also discussed slavery. Jacqueline Royster talked about slave owners such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, and their views on slavery. Both Adams and Jefferson disliked slavery, however Adams “…made no attempt during his presidency to bring about any change to the system” (119). In the essay the reader is able to see that Jefferson clearly did not agree with slavery, and the inhumane conditions that many slaves experienced.

            Although, Jefferson disliked slavery, I believe that he was not fully opposed to the issue. This is because in the essay Royster states, “Jefferson’s distaste for slavery was shared by others whose opposition was in some cases like his own, that is, against the system but not necessarily in support of the equality of people of African descent” (119).

Personally, I felt that this statement had many contradictions, because how can you be against slavery, but you do not view African’s as equals to Caucasians? I feel that that is absolutely absurd, because I think that either you are for slavery and against the equal treatment of Africans, or you are not for slavery and you are for the equal treatment of Africans. I do not believe that one can straddle the fence, that is take Jefferson’s view, on an issue this serious. I believe that Jefferson was sincere in his views on slavery, but I do not think that he was ready to view people of African descent as his equal counterparts. I believe that Jefferson was too afraid of what other individuals in society would say and think about him if he said that he thought Africans should be viewed as equals to Caucasians. Also, I think that Jefferson did not want to compromise his position in society because of his views.