Podcast Summary
Leonard Peltier Parole Hearing: Longest serving political prisoner Leonard Peltier, who's case is marred by misconduct, appears before US Parole Commission in 2024. Despite age and health issues, he's served over 48 years for allegedly killing FBI agents.
Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous American man and the longest serving political prisoner in the United States, is set to appear before the US Parole Commission on June 10, 2024. His case, which involves allegations of killing two FBI agents in 1975, is marred by gross misconduct from law enforcement, the prosecution, and the courts, including the withholding of exculpatory evidence, torture and coercion of witnesses, and refusal to dismiss biased jurors. Despite his advanced age and suffering from chronic health conditions, Peltier has been in prison for over 48 years. If you wish to support his release, you can call the US Parole Commission, sign the petition, or follow the NDN collective for more information. Meanwhile, the case of Thomas Jefferson, another influential figure in American history, serves as a reminder that the concept of freedom, which Jefferson advocated for, can be complex and nuanced, particularly when it comes to the issue of slavery.
Universal Human Rights, US Influence: Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese revolutionary leader, drew inspiration from the US Declaration of Independence's universal human rights principles despite the complex realities of US involvement in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese revolutionary leader, opened his declaration of independence with a quote from the US Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the universal human right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This may seem surprising given the harsh realities of the subsequent US involvement in Vietnam. However, it's important to remember that Ho Chi Minh held the founding fathers in high regard and believed in the principles they espoused, even if the French, who were then ruling Vietnam, did not fully live up to them. This incident highlights the complex and nuanced relationship between ideals and reality, as well as the enduring influence of the US Declaration of Independence on global political thought.
Jefferson's childhood experiences: Jefferson's mother's strength and his isolation during childhood shaped his self-reliance and independence, while his relationship with an enslaved boy remained unacknowledged in his later writings.
Thomas Jefferson's relationship with his mother and childhood experiences significantly influenced his life and actions. His mother, a strong and resilient woman who raised eight of her ten children to adulthood, was left to raise her family alone after her husband's early death. Thomas was often left behind to live with a teacher or other caretakers while his family moved on. His best friend during this time was another boy named Dabney Carr, and they engaged in pranks together, such as tricking others into believing there was an extra day in February for a race. Despite having an enslaved boy, Jupiter, raised alongside him, Jefferson did not write about him or acknowledge their friendship in his later recollections. These experiences likely contributed to Jefferson's sense of self-reliance and independence, as well as his lack of emotional connection to his family and companions. The system of slavery, which kept him isolated from his family and raised with an enslaved companion, may have further complicated his relationships and understanding of the world around him.
Enslaved individuals' perspectives: The experiences and perspectives of enslaved individuals, who were closely tied to prominent figures, are largely absent from historical records due to biases and limited access to education, making it essential to critically examine existing narratives and seek out alternative sources for a more nuanced understanding of history
The life and experiences of enslaved individuals, such as Jupiter, who were closely tied to prominent figures like Thomas Jefferson, remain largely unknown due to historical record biases. Despite their close relationships and significant roles in their masters' lives, their perspectives and personal narratives have been largely absent from historical records. This lack of representation makes it challenging to gain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences and the impact of slavery on their lives. Furthermore, the limited access to education for enslaved individuals made it difficult for them to document their own histories, making it even more crucial to critically examine existing narratives and seek out alternative sources to gain a more nuanced perspective on history.
Emotional bonds between enslaved and enslavers: Despite the oppressive system of slavery, emotional bonds formed between enslaved people and their enslavers, with former slaves risking their lives to care for their masters' families during the Civil War.
The relationship between enslaved people and their enslavers was complex and often involved emotional bonds that perverted the concept of family. This was evident in the case of Thomas Jefferson and his servant, Jupiter, who was more like a trusted companion and confidant. This emotional complexity existed despite the oppressive system of slavery and the clear power dynamic between the two. This phenomenon was explored further in the book "Master of the Mountain," where it was noted that during the Civil War, former slaves would risk their lives to take care of their absent masters' families due to a sense of common humanity. These relationships, though complicated, do not excuse the morally reprehensible system of slavery. Thomas Jefferson, an avid reader and lover of ancient Roman culture, developed his early attitudes towards slavery from his readings, which influenced his acceptance of slavery as a necessary evil. His intellectual pursuit of Roman history and culture shaped his views on slavery more than his American experiences.
Jefferson's Influences: Jefferson was influenced by his mentor, William Small, and ancient Roman figure Cato the Elder, who advocated for self-sufficiency, moral uprightness, and hard work. However, Cato's views on slavery contradict modern human rights.
Thomas Jefferson was influenced by his mentor, William Small, a deist math professor, and the ancient Roman figure Cato the Elder, who advocated for the ideal of the self-sufficient farmer. Jefferson's admiration for Cato extended beyond his agricultural values, as he also admired Cato's moral uprightness and his belief in the importance of hard work and independence. However, it's important to note that Cato's ideas on slavery, which Jefferson adopted, were based on the belief that slaves were living tools and should be either working or unconscious. This perspective is a stark contrast to modern views on human rights and labor. Despite Jefferson's admiration for Cato and his pursuit of wealth and social status, he struggled with financial management and overspending, leading him to burn through his inheritance.
Jefferson's early political involvement: Jefferson's introverted nature limited his political participation, but his experiences in the House of Burgesses and involvement in the Association For the Non-Importation of British Manufacturers shaped his belief in self-reliant farming and independent society, setting the stage for his influential role in the American Revolution
Thomas Jefferson's early years in law and high society brought him into contact with influential voices of the revolution, including Patrick Henry. Despite his strong opposition to parliamentary taxation, Jefferson's political participation was mostly limited due to his shy and introverted nature. He seemed poised for retirement when he was chosen to represent his district in the House of Burgesses in 1768. During his time there, he came into contact with George Washington and became involved in the Association For the Non-Importation of British Manufacturers. Jefferson's growing obsession with autarky led him to believe that the basis of the society he wanted to build should be independent, self-reliant farmers. Despite his quiet nature, Jefferson's early experiences laid the groundwork for his influential role in the American Revolution.
Jefferson's conflicting views on slavery: Thomas Jefferson's vision for America included a reliance on slavery, but his attempts to address it were met with resistance, and his personal financial burdens made it difficult for him to consistently advocate for abolition
Thomas Jefferson's vision for America, rooted in his ideal society, was heavily reliant on slavery, which created a significant conflict with those who envisioned a more modern, progressive future. His attempts to address slavery, such as anonymously submitting an emancipation bill, were met with resistance. Additionally, Jefferson's response to losing his best friend Dabney Carr was unusual, as he calculated the time required for slaves to turn the soil for his friend's grave instead of offering comfort. In the same year, Jefferson inherited debts from his father-in-law, who had recently passed away and left him 11,000 acres of land, 35 slaves, and innumerable debts. One of these debts was from a failed consignment of enslaved people, which Jefferson inherited and would struggle to pay off. These financial burdens, coupled with his reliance on slavery, made it challenging for Jefferson to consistently advocate for the abolition of slavery.
Jefferson's view on debt: Thomas Jefferson, deeply in debt himself, advocated for eliminating American debts to English bankers during post-war negotiations, recognizing the potential loss of land due to debt.
Thomas Jefferson and his peers considered wealth primarily as land ownership, despite being deeply in debt. This land could be taken away due to debt, which was inherited in this period, making debt a central issue for Jefferson throughout his public life. He advocated for eliminating American debts held by English bankers during post-war negotiations. The conflict over British taxation and rule in the colonies, which reached a fever pitch in 1774 and 1775, saw Jefferson become a major figure in Virginia and beyond for his defense of the Boston Tea Party. However, his account of the event may have been a propagandistic manipulation, as Jefferson was known for being inconsistent and skilled at crafting his own reality. His writing on the Tea Party was described as a fairy tale, and his ability to shape public perception is a significant aspect of his legacy.