Slaves Were Used to Build the White House

I just skimmed Obama headlines (are there any other on this day?) and found myself recalling the fact that slave labor helped build the White House.

When I Googled it I found a reliable source, the White House Historical Association. And yes, slave labor was used to fill gaps when European workers failed to show at the soggy, hot work site. Slave labor, as well as free helped make a new home for the leader of this new land. They also helped build the Capitol Building and many other buildings as well.

Yesterday I found myself thinking about what an 80 year old MLK would think about our new president. But can you imagine what these men and women, slave, indentured and free, would have to say about this astonishing accomplishment?

I am very critical of our democratic experiement. But at this moment, as I type the words, I get the feeling that at times it actually works.