We know history is the record of what has

gone before and revisionist history is another version of what has gone before. And since the victors write the history, maybe most history we see and hear is revisionist. I've encountered another type recently: fantasy history. I suppose it's another way of being revisionist, but since this was an old TV series and made for the mass market many years ago, I think it's just fantasy.

I watched the entire Backstairs at the White House TV mini-series over a period of weeks with DVD's from Netflix. While I was and still am interested in learning about the experiences of elected officials and staff in the White House, I do not believe that the depiction in this series is really accurate. Admittedly, I have not read the book on which the series is based and cannot address what the author actually experienced or what she spoke of.

I'm just wondering if the mostly black staff working in the attic, kitchen, basement, tending to the needs and demands of elected officials were all so pleased to be there. The story begins with the Taft administration and continues up to the Kennedy administration; that's many years of public service and our history.

The political and economic variations affected everyone working and living in the executive mansion; the benefit of regular employment should not be diminished and being a witness to history from inside was no doubt a significant experience. But life in domestic service was not easy; and these hard-working folk had to keep at it, keep their mouths shut and hope each administration would keep them employed.

THEN I watched the first part of a two-part about Sally Hemmings, the black woman who was a slave to Thomas Jefferson and became his mistress. Mr. Jefferson was intelligent, skillful, creative, ingenious, patriotic and conflicted. He spoke of ending slavery in this country, yet would not, or could not, give up his own slaves. It was a hideous part of our history, and whether this version is inaccurate, fair or not, we have much to be ashamed of and regretful for.

I was born and raised in Virginia, as Mr. Jefferson was. He was landed gentry and a critical part of our earliest history as a nation. I was just a not-yet-middle class native. I am proud of many things about my home state, but not about our part in and continuation of the practice of enslaving human beings.

I had family members I loved very much who held throughout their lifetimes the view that blacks are inferior and should not be treated equally. I do not understand that; I was taught differently by parents who were tolerant and had a sense of fairness.

Frankly, I wish we were no longer having conversations about equality and fairness; I wish it was settled. Why should someone who doesn't look like me, who doesn't have the orientation I do, or doesn't believe as I do be treated with disdain?  I'm not a good-two-shoes; I just don't get it.