addemup9001 OP t1_jaaodor wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:43 AM

Reply to comment by ty_kanye_vcool in TIL that the first woman to serve in the United States Senate was also the last member of Congress to be a slaveowner. by addemup9001

You're right. IDK why I posted this

jfjacobc t1_jabl4mj wrote on February 28, 2023 at 6:30 AM

Because she was still the first woman senator of the US. Her racism and slaveholding past doesn't change that.

If anything, it makes it all the more important, as she reflected a large portion of society's views at the time. She was appointed as a political move to win points for a Democrat's re-election. Understanding the ugly parts of our past helps us avoid them in our present and future. If we ignore or disregard all the things that don't conform to our modern social standards, how can we critically analyze and grow from them?

HPmoni t1_jadyykg wrote on February 28, 2023 at 7:19 PM

Yeah, everyone was pretty racist back then. A lot of Democrats supported slavery.