Frustrations from Jupiter - Shawn Dye

Dear Tootie,

I’ve been in service of Master Jefferson for quite some time now … nearly all my life. He has treated his slaves well and I am a testament to that. Everyone knows Master Jefferson for his good-natured heart, but something about these Hemingses … Master Jefferson appears to favor them. I never saw Master Jefferson treat any of his slaves the way he does the Hemingses.

I speculate that their fair skin is the root of it. Maybe Master Jefferson sees some part of him and his kin in them. After all, it was said that Betty, herself is a mulatto, had relations with Master Wayles who gave her 6 of her children. No wonder they are so fair! Fair … I never complained about the life that God has given me, which was to serve Master Jefferson. But this life ain’t fair. I got a heart. I got a brain and I got a soul just like Master Jefferson and his kin. It ain’t fair that I can’t put none of it to use. But now, it ain’t fair that I see these Hemingses taking their place in the Big House while the rest of us must make do in our quarters. It ain’t fair that none of the Hemings gals join the rest of us in the field when it comes to pickin’ season. It ain’t fair that they get better clothes and less work cause they got light skin.

I thought to be negro in these parts was enough to make the soul holler. But Master Jefferson is teaching us a valuable lesson. To be a dark negro in these parts was far worse. To bring a dark slave child into this world would be to wish the harshest of life on an innocent babe. I know that should I even get the thought of sowing my oats with a white mistress I would be hanging by neck. But it ain’t no issue at all should Master Jefferson decide to lay down with one of the gals on this here plantation and mix. It ain’t fair.

But I can only speculate on what the products of these mixings go through. Ain’t black enough to be in the fields. Ain’t white enough to go free.

With love,

Jupiter