Hemings-Jefferson family

When I started doing our geneology, it was hard finding the pieces of our history.  For any black American trying to do your genealogy and find your family records, it’s hard.  You run into holes.  Because they were people of color, records were far and few between.

Knowing the white Jeffersons to me was incidental.  I was more interested in knowing my great-grandmother’s background.  It always ends up going back to some unnamed African woman who started this portion of the family tree.  And to the indignity of that unknown African woman who was put in this position.

When I first got involved with this, I said that part of me resents having to continue talking about the Hemings/Jefferson thing – it’s only because it was Thomas Jefferson that it continues to be worthy of an event.  On the other hand, I think this event is a good way to start acknowledging racism and the legacy of slavery.  The legacy of slavery is insidious.  The threads are like a tapestry – they are everywhere.

Coming to the Table has taken the notion of the legacy of slavery beyond blame and pointing the finger – it’s involved healing the rift, discussing it, getting it out in the open, and then establishing meaningful relationships.  We all have come to appreciate the richness of our stories and our lives, and to recognize those folks who have been forgotten. 

I keep coming back to the legacy of Martin Luther King and his “I have a dream” speech – the notion of families coming to the table.  That’s such a powerful, vibrant vision.  The type of activity is like a ripple effect that will continue to make change.  In one or two generations from now, things won’t be the same.