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Writing and Discussion Assignments
(Send your assignments for inclusion on this list to Edward J. Gallagher at ejg1@lehigh.edu.)
1) In his "Final Argument," William Hyland does what we call nailing his theses to History's door, marshaling sixteen points to prove Jefferson's lack of involvement in the relationship. At this late point in the controversy, most of these points should be familiar to you. Take one point and analyze it thoroughly, bringing to bear whatever is relevant to it from the work of Gordon-Reed, the Scholars Commission, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation report, and so forth. Where is Hyland strong, where weak? What is your "final answer" regarding the efficacy of the point? (Edward Gallagher)
2) Walker confronts such charges as political correctness and multiculturalism of the "post-DNA critics" who refuse to accept the Jefferson-Hemings relationship. (For an interesting and relevant point of reference, see section IV of David Mayer's statement in episode 13's Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society "Scholars Commission" report.) Walker's idea is that accepting that our "founding parents" are "Jefferson and Hemings, as a mixed-race couple, rather than George and Martha Washington" will help to make visible the heretofore invisible truth that America has always been a mixed-race nation, a "mongrel nation." It's a monster-sized claim -- what do you think? Does the claim do his position any good? Or is it just grand-standing aimed to appeal to his "base"? (Edward Gallagher)
