Happy Presidents’ Day
Shit they leave out of the textbook #4838821
Can I get a citation on this?
I would like a citation on this because this seems like the kind of sh*t tumblr makes up to go “omg white people are trash all their faves are trash smh”
His false teeth were made of ivory, you f–king idiots.
I’d also like to point out Washington inherited his slaves, gained others by marriage, came to OPPOSE slavery but legally could not free his slaves under penalty of law in Virginia and so treated them well, and ordered them freed and paid them a sum and had them taught skills to start a new life with in his will. Learn your dang history.
As was popular in that era, dentures were made of ivory as well as other people’s teeth. Although teeth were harvested (gruesome word to use here) from dead people, it was not uncommon for poor people and slaves to seek monetary compensation for giving up their teeth (see: Les Miserables). George Washington had several sets of dentures. Indeed one set contained teeth from his slaves, but he paid them money for their teeth. In fact, Washington paid his slaves money for doing extra work outside their expected duties which would sometimes allow them to purchase their freedom. History is fun to cite to gain understanding of the world we live in, but only when done correctly. In failing to point out the monetary compensation part of teeth pulling, the OP makes it sound like Washington forcibly took the teeth of his slaves. Editorial history is dangerous.
It’s amazing how swift people are to eat up revisionist history without a second thought. Sad, honestly.
This is why citations are important
