No one I know is watching the John Adams mini-series on HBO. Not one friend, family member, work mate. I was, however, able to chat up the checkout lady at Borders this weekend. She’s the only person that’s been watching the series.
I was still looking for the Abigail and John Adams letters (‘My Dearest Friend’) that they wrote to each other while he was away working on stuff like founding this country and convincing Thomas Jefferson that he should do the first draft of the Declaration of Independence (alot of local bookstores aren’t carrying it). So far from the movie, Abigail is depicted as deeply influential in John Adams’ speeches, his early law practice, thoughts on abolition and women’s rights.
Particularly fascinating is the dialogue that played out during the first draft that Jefferson showed to Franklin and Adams. And the discussion about the freedom of Blacks, which needed to take a back seat to declaring independence from England, if states like South Carolina were going to sign it (one of the states/colonies originally against succession describing it as “folly”). It was just a technicality that they were going to get back to us-as soon as they could get the whole document passed. I don’t even consider myself a history buff. But there’s something about this time and the process which seemed really inspiring. Something about what I previously learned in textbooks which seem to jump off the page.
But then there’s the guilt of being a desendant of slaves. On some level why am I enjoying this movie so damn much. The only inspiring thing about slavery is what I find to be a symbolic homage or a thank you when I and others do our best work. When I think big and try and excecute great things.
I’m thankful for our own Declaration of Independence that’s never really been signed by us (Black folk). Some of us walk around still thinking we ain’t free. We live like slaves, think like slaves, work like slaves, dream like slaves.
Perhaps it’s all relative. A Black life in 2308 may be so free that my life which I’m thankful for in all of its goodness and potential greatness (race consciousness and all) would seem oppressive. Something that would make the futuristic Black proud to have gotten over. (note to self -get time capsule done and buried).
Yes. I remember that. If you also recall Adams teeth are REALLY REALLY bad, was because the floride issue –because remember in one scene where he talks to Abagail he is actually brushing his teeth.
Thank you for responding to this post. I thought I was the only person who watched this series.
I was watching the HBO series John Adams tonight and there was a nod at George Washington’s false teeth. It made me laugh because I remembered that those teeth are on display in Baltimore at The National Museum of Dentistry. Not only that, the map that the American delegation in France used to identify the United States of America at the Treaty of Paris, the actual map from George III’s library, is on display at the Maps exhibitions running at The Walters Art Museum. Check it out http://www.visitmybaltimore.com/video/438/
Good words.