Michelle Obama Notes That Slaves Built The White House In Her Speech At The Democratic National Convention

Michelle Obama: “I Wake Up Every Morning In A House That Was Built By Slaves.” First lady Michelle Obama addressed the Democratic National Convention on its opening night, “arguing for the importance of black and female role models in the White House” and pointing out that “I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves.” From a July 25 Time magazine article:

First Lady Michelle Obama gave an emotional speech at the Democratic national convention Monday night, arguing for the importance of black and female role models in the White House.

“That is the story of this country, the story that has brought me to this stage tonight, the story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves,” she said.

“And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent, black young women playing with their dogs on the White House lawn. And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters and all our sons and daughters now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States.” [Time magazine, 7/25/16]

Bill O’Reilly Attempts to Fact-Check Obama, Says Slaves “Were Well-Fed And Had Decent Lodgings”

Fox's Bill O'Reilly: Slaves Who Built White House Were "Well-Fed And Had Decent Lodgings Provided By The Government.” Fox host Bill O’Reilly responded to Obama’s speech, claiming that the slaves who helped build the White House “were well-fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government” and that, although “Michelle Obama is essentially correct in citing slaves as builders of the White House … there were others working as well.” From the July 26 edition of Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor: ”

BILL O'REILLY (HOST): Finally tonight, Factor Tip of The Day. As we mentioned, Talking Points Memo, Michelle Obama referenced slaves building the White House in referring to the evolution of America in a positive way. It was a positive comment. The history behind her remark is fascinating. George Washington selected the site in 1791, and as president laid the cornerstone in 1792. Washington was then running the country out of Philadelphia.

Slaves did participate in the construction of the White House. Records show about 400 payments made to slave masters between [1795] and 1801. In addition, free blacks, whites, and immigrants also worked on the massive building. There were no illegal immigrants at that time. If you could make it here, you could stay here.

In 1800, President John Adams took up residence in what was then called the Executive Mansion. It was only later on they named it the White House. But Adams was in there with Abigail, and they were still hammering nails, the construction was still going on.

Slaves that worked there were well-fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government, which stopped hiring slave labor in 1802. However, the feds did not forbid subcontractors from using slave labor. So, Michelle Obama is essentially correct in citing slaves as builders of the White House, but there were others working as well. Got it all? There will be a quiz.

[...]

I just can't get rid of that history teacher thing. You know what I'm talking about? [Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor, 7/26/16]

O’Reilly’s “Unreal” Claim Is Roundly Mocked And Condemned

Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Jay Bookman: “We Have An Eyewitness, First Lady Abigail Adams, Who Said Those Slaves Were 'Half Fed, And Destitute Of Clothing.'”

We have an eyewitness, First Lady Abigail Adams, who said those slaves were 'half fed, and destitute of clothing' https://t.co/Xkc74LUBZF

— Jay Bookman AJC (@jaybookmanajc) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Slate’s Isaac Chotiner: Slaves Who Built The White House Were “Like Three Fifths As Well Fed As Non-Slaves.”

Like three fifths as well fed as non-slaves https://t.co/YoIVFaoGPX

— Isaac Chotiner (@IChotiner) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Slate’s Jamelle Bouie: “You Know I Made A Joke About Someone Saying This, But Here We Are, In Real Life.”

You know I made a joke about someone saying this, but here we are, in real life. https://t.co/nO3REpBXpX

— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Historian James Gleick: “Fox News, In 2016, Actually Sticking Up For Slavery.”

Fox News, in 2016, actually speaking up for slavery. https://t.co/EglWgClT8P

— James Gleick (@JamesGleick) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

BuzzFeed’s Adam Serwer: “How Did The Republicans Nominate Trump I Have No Idea.”

How did the republicans nominate trump I have no idea https://t.co/tnEBsgwUqL

— Adam Servianski (@AdamSerwer) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

MSNBC’s Michael Steele: “There Are No Words.”

There are no words. https://t.co/uPa563upar

— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Wash. Post’s Matt O’Brien: “Political Satire Has Never Been Harder.”

Political satire has never been harder https://t.co/irHdhYUmKy pic.twitter.com/kzN9RjDmiS

— Matt O'Brien (@ObsoleteDogma) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

CNN’s Chris Cuomo: “What Is The Value In This?”

What is the value in this? https://t.co/VU0RKRpdqp

— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

HotAir’s Ed Morrissey: “Just Unbelievable that [O’Reilly] Thinks This Is A Rebuttal.”

Just unbelievable that he thinks this is a rebuttal. https://t.co/VLIWUQzcnW

— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/27/16]

NY Times’ Paul Krugman:“Sometimes They're Worse Than You Could Imagine, Even Taking Into Account That They're Worse Than You Can Imagine.”

Sometimes they're worse than you could imagine, even taking into account that they're worse than you can imagine. https://t.co/BoyKKWzWZK

— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

CNN’s Paul Begala: “Delete Your Show, Bill.”

Delete your show, Bill. https://t.co/sLCTMr4TWS

— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

MSNBC’s Joy Reid: “*Headdesk*.”

*headdesk* https://t.co/MaPCcTqWUG

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/16/16]

The Atlantic’s James Fallows: “When Will Responsible, Moderate White People Criticize The Excesses Of Their Extremist Fringe?”

When will responsible, moderate white people criticize the excesses of their extremist fringe? https://t.co/Aw4Q8hi20N

— James Fallows (@JamesFallows) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Huffington Post’s Sam Stein: “Smart Take, Bill.”

smart take, Bill. https://t.co/fBid1SOV4v

— Sam Stein (@samsteinhp) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Huffington Post’s Nick Baumann: “UNREAL.”

UNREAL https://t.co/ja37Ho6VHI

— (((Nick Baumann))) (@NickBaumann) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Wash. Examiner’s Kelly Cohen: “Well Weren't [Those Slaves] Just The Luckiest.”

well weren't they just the luckiest https://t.co/sOJAeAcfhV

— kelly cohen (@politiCOHEN_) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait: “And They Didn't Even Have To Pay For This Sweet Gig? They Got To Do It For Free?”

And they didn't even have to pay for this sweet gig? They got to do it for free? https://t.co/tEd4BBccQ8

— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Forbes’ Brian Solomon: “Come On.”

Come on https://t.co/rlGDteX5LX

— Brian Solomon (@Brian_Solomon) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

RedState’s Leon Wolf: “For His Next Hot Historical Take, Bill O'reilly Will Tell Us About The Free Dental Care At Auschwitz.”

For his next hot historical take, Bill O'Reilly will tell us about the free dental care at Auschwitz https://t.co/WTdwQ1oGAL

— Leon Wolf (@LeonHWolf) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

TV Writer Shonda Rhimes: “Bill: Chat About Cuisine After They Steal Ur Name, Homeland, Family Then Beat U, Breed U And Make U Work For Free.”

Bill: Chat about cuisine after they steal ur name, homeland, family then beat u, breed u and make u work for free. https://t.co/sHSWPljgyd

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

New America Foundation’s Rabia Chaudry: “I Will Provide Decent Lodging And Food To Bill O'Reilly If He Becomes My Slave. Need A Shed Built.”

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

I will provide decent lodging and food to Bill O'Reilly if he becomes my slave. Need a shed built. https://t.co/udmtJKbhse

— rabia chaudry (@rabiasquared) July 27, 2016

Author Ken Jennings: "’Persistent Wage Gap Between Slaves And Non-Slaves Largely A Result Of The Slaves' Lifestyle And Family Choices.’"

“Persistent wage gap between slaves and non-slaves largely a result of the slaves' lifestyle and family choices” https://t.co/ZImvAeYpmw

— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

BuzzFeed’s Anne Helen Petersen: “This Isn’t Just Equivocation; This Is Gaslighting.”

This isn't just equivocation; this is gaslighting https://t.co/BlK0Uf6yqP

— Anne Helen Petersen (@annehelen) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Professor Tressie McMillan Cottom: “When You're Morally Bankrupt You Think Food And Housing Matters More Than Autonomy, Freedom, Safety & Actualization.”

when you're morally bankrupt you think food and housing matters more than autonomy, freedom, safety & actualization https://t.co/Djq6rli45m

— Tressie Mc (@tressiemcphd) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Felonious Munk: “They Were Still...Slaves.”

They were still...slaves. https://t.co/aq4b1MF9xF

— R'asclat Al Ghul (@Felonious_munk) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Chicago Tribune’s Dawn Rhodes: “Even If This Were True, They Were Still SLAVES! Stop Trying To Be All Revisionist And Act Like It Wasn't That Bad.”

Even if this were true, they were still SLAVES! Stop trying to be all revisionist and act like it wasn't that bad. https://t.co/N5OinCT7PO

— Dawn Rhodes (@rhodes_dawn) July 27, 2016

[Twitter, 7/26/16]

Mic: Bill O'Reilly's Claim “Could Be Generously Described As Missing The Point.” Mic’s Tom McKay wrote that O’Reilly's argument “could be generously described as missing the point.” McKay noted that O’Reilly “minimiz[ed] the number of slaves required to work on the structure” and added sarcastically, “the ones who did [build the White House] had it pretty good for the times, right?” From the July 26 article:

Fox News host Bill O'Reilly responded to first lady Michelle Obama's speech Monday at the Democratic National Convention, in which she described what it was like to wake up every morning in a White House built by slaves, with a reply that could be generously described as missing the point.



Extremely generously.

[...]

Mentioning construction on the White House continued into the 19th century, O'Reilly then segued into a point minimizing the number of slaves required to work on the structure — and anyway, the ones who did had it pretty good for the times, right?



[...]

Yeah. So, to recap, Obama does, in fact, wake up every day in a house built by slaves, but before you feel too bad for them remember: These slaves had probably had great benefits. Like food. [Mic, 7/26/16]

Esquire: According To O'Reilly, “Being Deprived Of Your Basic Human Liberty And Dignity Wasn’t So Bad If You Were Put On A Good Project.” Esquire’s Jack Holmes wrote in a July 26 article that “Fox News host Bill O'Reilly couldn't allow a moment that laid bare the ugly reality of America's relationship with race to go unaddressed” and that according to O’Reilly, “being deprived of your basic human liberty and dignity wasn't so bad if you were put on a good project.” [Esquire, 7/26/16]