In 1800, the White House was built mainly by African-American slaves.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

And now, we will have an African-American living in that house built by such a dubious, dark and embarassing distinction.

Kind of makes you think, doesn't it? Things have a way of righting themselves in the end....

[global1]

1. Think Of It This Way ......

these African-American slaves that built the White House were building it with hopes that someday a Barack Obama would come along and live in their house.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. I love that take on it. nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. I've watched documentaries on the folks who staff...

the White House. Most are AA and many have been there for decades, serving President after President. I was thinking about them last night, wondering what their feelings will be like when the new First Family comes home. I would love to be a fly on the wall to witness that! :)

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Me too

Since President Elect Obama and the future First Lady are such 'plain folk' - I'm imagining two first daughters that aren't going to be allowed to treat the staff like crap. And they will probably be told to refer to them all as Mr or Mrs. or Ms so and so. :-)

[Jacobin]

4. The British burned it down in the war of 1812

No doubt slaves rebuilt it after the fire.

[kittykitty]

5. The "John Adams" series on HBO had a great segment on building the earliest White House

It was a swampy, muddy building site with black people lugging stuff around. I thought it was a good representation of what it was probably accurate. John and Abigail had to sit in an empty room with smoky fires burning in the fireplace to dry the plaster.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. That was a great scene.

I remember Abagail Adams being disgusted that the President's house was being built on the backs of slaves.