Let’s Address The Elephant In The Room: The Racism Of George Washington
George Washington: First president of the United States, General of the American Army, Slaveholder.
George Washington’s accomplishments are unquestionably impressive: he was the first president of the United States, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, he spearheaded the fight for independence.
Washington is venerated as the Father of America, as a symbol of freedom.
Problem: George Washington owned over three-hundred slaves at his Virginia plantation, and nine slaves at his house in Philadelphia.
Washington founded a country of contradiction: freedom was important — but not for black people.
The racism of Washington is largely ignored, because a stain on George Washington would be a stain on America. This article confronts the racism of America’s first president.
Expelling Black Soldiers from the Army
In 1775, during the Revolutionary Wars, George Washington became a General of the American Army. Washington is revered as a successful, strong and passionate leader.
Upon his appointment as General, Washington banned all African American soldiers from the Army. He idealized an army of white men.
Two years later, in 1777, Washington was forced to overturn his decision due to recruitment shortages. As a thank you (and perhaps as an apology), enlisted black soldiers were promised freedom from slavery.
Nevertheless, the banishment of black soldiers in 1775 manifested stark inequality. [1]
Cruelty to Slaves
George Washington and his wife, Martha, were residents of Virginia. They also owned a second home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In 1780 the Pennsylvania Gradual Abolition Act was enforced; this outlawed importing slaves into Pennsylvania. The Act also stated that slaves belonging to non-resident owners (the Washingtons) could petition for freedom after 6 consecutive months of enslavement in Pennsylvania. Since Washington was a resident of Virginia, his nine slaves in Philadelphia could be free after serving 6 more months of servitude. [3]
Washington contrived a plan to keep his Philadelphia slaves. He took his slaves out of Pennsylvania every 5 months and 29 days; Washington then brought his slaves back to Pennsylvania a day later, resetting their 6-month enslavement period. This prevented his slaves from petitioning for freedom, entrapping them in perpetual slavery. A profound act of cruelty. [2]
Today, racism is entrenched in American society, attested by the powerful Black Lives Matter movement. Although Washington’s slaves were freed after his death, Washington’s actions while alive evince sordid and inhumane traits.
Acknowledgement of Washington’s discrimination and cruelty is important: too often is Mr. Washington glorified to protect his country’s honor. Ideology shadows the Truth.
Generations of black Americans have suffered from starvation, whippings, and murder. We, the white populace of past and present, are complicit — George Washington included.
It’s time for change.
TV and Reading List
I used the sources below to help write this article. However, all opinions expressed in this article are my own.
1.
Revolutionary America, 1763–1815: A Political History. Third Edition, by Francis D. Cogliano. (pages 222–223)
