Is it possible to reconcile Virginians' political and racial views—their defense of political self-government and their enslavement of a quarter million people?
Were Virginians simply hypocrites?
Or is there a way to intellectually reconcile the two positions?
How about their dedication to refinement and their violent practices and entertainments?
Are these contradictory?
Or are they in some way reconcilable?
Think about the great Virginia leaders: Washington, Jefferson, Madison
Which Virginia do they represent?
Do these men reflect Virginia's racism as well as its political progressivism?