On January 20, the Obamas Will Move Into a House That Slaves Built

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Meg White

Tom, Peter, Ben, Harry, and Daniel: These are names that might have gone down in history for constructing one of the most famous buildings in the world. But, because they were not free men, they were forgotten and denied.

Recently the United States has quietly admitted that the White House was built -- and then rebuilt -- thanks to slave labor. But, much like a formal apology for slavery itself, a real recognition of the contributions slaves have made to the future home of President-elect Barack Obama remains an unlikely occurrence.

According to the White House Historical Association, slaves were used to build the presidential residence after an overseas recruitment attempt failed to attract enough paid workers. However, considering the fact that two slave states gave up the land necessary to create the District of Columbia, the building of the U.S. Capitol also utilized slave labor, and slaves were used within the White House after construction, it's unlikely a mere lack of available hands was responsible for the use of forced labor in building the White House.

As a further point of watering down the truth, the White House Historical Association tells students the builders of the White House used "hired slaves" to get the job done. In reality, they were hired out, as their owners were paid $5 a month for the loan.

When construction was almost complete on the White House, John Adams moved in without slaves. His wife Abigail decried the use of slave labor for reconstruction, noting it set an ominous tone for future leaders of the so-called free world. Not that many of Adams' successors took note.

Both White Houses (the second was built after the British set the first one ablaze in 1814) were not only built by slaves, but also staffed by them. According to a recent CNN report, eight U.S. presidents used slaves while in office (and 12 of them owned slaves in their civilian lives). At one point, slaves were even sold on the White House lawn.

Slave labor also helped construct other famous D.C. structures. Just over two years ago, a Congressional task force originally convened in 2005 to look at the significance of slave labor in erecting the Capitol Building helped pass an act renaming the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center "Emancipation Hall." 

Though the act itself does not refer to the reason for this change, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) said she originally put together the task force to "serve as a working memorial to pay tribute to those who made an enormous sacrifice to help construct our nation's greatest symbol of freedom."

Back in 2006, the thought was that there would be an actual memorial of some sort dedicated to the slaves that helped make the Capitol Building what it is today. Perhaps something like, oh I don't know, the "Freedom" statue erected by slaves atop the Capitol itself.

Renaming a hall is a far cry from the appropriate tribute. But at least Congress entered the admission of using slave labor to build their very foundations into public record. They said something, and the first step is admitting you have a problem.

It's almost inconceivable that the "post-racial" Obama would do anything to address the slavery issue in his new home. But perhaps Michelle Obama, a descendant of slaves, could make a few redecorating suggestions. After all, the first lady is the head of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. And a touch of historical reality couldn't play any worse than Nancy Reagan's china set or Mary Todd Lincoln's bed, could it?

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

What do you think would be the best tribute to the slaves that helped build the White House?  Join the discussion by commenting below.

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