I think it is very important to know and understand our history. Many people have label this purpose as "critical race theory ". I do not know where this label comes from, but it is now tainted. This is what is important and why.As black woman, I remember growing up reading and learning about the history of our country only from the perspective of the heroic and the patriotic. That is important and necessary. But our country included many different people who came here for many different reason and, unlike others, black slaves have a history that included brutality and inhumane treatment and complicated relationships on the path to freedom. Freedom wasn't instantaneous, neither was it given freely. It was a bloody, hate -riddled journey that many did not survive. As much as those want to include them that chose to endanger many, there are those that have the right to have the truth told whose stories have been erased.You can call it what you will, but no one seeks to annul the other. The past just needs yo been seen for what the present says is now the truth. Then tell it like it was.This book tells the truth about the reality of interracial sexual relations in the Era of slavery among the slaveowners and their slaves. This is the truth that is known, but is not discuss. This is the truth that loomed large over Thomas Jefferson, but was ignored by the staunchest of American historical purist. It was not until scientific proof spoke loud and clear that the historians would acknowledge what was known. Thomas Jefferson did father children by Sally Hemming. He wasn't the first. In fact, it was prevalent.This book is an interesting read. It uses the Jefferson story to explain the culture of thd times and the duplicitous views regarding sexual intimacy and slavery.