Monday, June 27, 2011

Tuesday with VBS.tv: Drunk History: Ona Judge

Yeah, I couldn't resist it. I really dig this series alot, so I decided to post the whole darn thing. We will eventually get back to the more idealistic and human interest aspects of the Vice library, but for now, why not have some chuckles? This week's installment covers one of the more controversial sides of the first US President, George Tiberius Washington. No, I don't think "Tiberius" was his real middle name, but you have to admit that the sound has a nice ring to it. I digress...

It has often been noted that there was a special irony amongst some of the Founding Fathers™ and their decision to keep slaves. These were people who were supposedly creating the world's first truly free nation, and yet they held ownership to human beings. Even my personal favorite, Thomas Jefferson had slaves working his land, and this was the guy who got drunk one night and wrote the greatest "Dear John" letter to a monarch since the Magna Carta. That of course was the Declaration of Independence.

This week's installment centers around a clever and passionate young slave owned by Washington named Ona Judge. She had the courage to escape to the more liberal states and away from Ol' Wooden Teeth's servitude. This caused a bit of a scandal to unfold as Ona remained defiant despite threats and public admonishment. The story is told by a historian who has consumed one and a half bottles of wine before making the attempt...enjoy!!




14 comments:

Zombie said...

Oh boy I love history!! :D

Astronomy Pirate said...

Funny when you're drunk, but still pretty messed up. Though I think there was a prevalent view with American leaders to have Africa Americans/Blacks settle the Caribbean and Central America areas because they wouldn't work out in 'traditional American society.' Well, it's been doing a lot better on the past half century, so go us.

Melanie said...

Wow. Is that ever me after I have had some wine too. Excellent post!

The Angry Lurker said...

These are good.

Anonymous said...

wahhhh hate my job. cant watch videos again. good thing i only have two more days left here.

T. Banacek said...

Why didn't they teach us this stuff in school?

Unknown said...

ditto to banacek... but I would prefer if they have other drunk historians corroborate the story as well. It would be like the use of deductive reasoning!

jamjar919 said...

Fun history :)

Anonymous said...

Actual history is much more entertaining than the factual history we learn in school :/

duffboi said...

That portrayal of an historic story is soo.. i dunno, I really enjoyed it. Sucks about Washington having slaves. But what a story, hiccups and all!

Unknown said...

i just watched this for the 2nd time... I never knew how good of an actor Danny McBride was until now... his facial expressions in mimicking the inebriated narration... it's too good!

Marlene said...

I don't think I could stay awake after consuming that much alcohol - to narrate anything!

Shera "The Expatriate" said...

What a hilarious idea, who knew historians could be so funny - so depressing about Washington having slaves though, dang history.

braumaman said...

Haha, i agree somewhat.