By Sir Roy G. Biv
What if Thomas Jefferson had been captured, sold into chattel slavery, and forced into hard labor in West Africa—only later to be recognized as an intellectual and one of the architects of the American Revolution—it would create an extraordinary reversal of historical roles. Sounds crazy, right, well, this is exactly what happened to many wealthy elites, scholars, merchants, and even royals. In fact, despite owning a Qur’an, even with knowledge of the wealthiest individual to ever live, Mansa Musa of the powerful Mali Empire from several centuries before his time, and familiarity with the role African advisors played throughout Europe before, during, and even after the Middle Ages, even acknowledging that many, if not most, of the important Hebrews and contemporary figures in the Old and New Testament were black, he was shocked when he saw enslaved black men writing in Arabic. So, let’s take a closer look at how this counterfactual scenario might unfold.
Reversal of Fortune
1. Jefferson’s Initial Experience as a Slave
Captured by Loyalist slave catchers, Jefferson is shackled and transported to a West African slave port. Stripped of status, wealth, and influence, he endures the brutal reality of slavery: the dehumanization, the forced marches, the branding, and the sale at an open-air market.
Once sold to a wealthy African merchant or plantation owner, Jefferson, unaccustomed to physical labor, would be forced into agricultural work—perhaps cultivating palm oil, kola nuts, or cotton under the whip of an overseer. His soft hands would blister, his body would weaken, and he would experience firsthand the horrors of the very system he once defended in America.
2. Psychological and Philosophical Transformation
At first, Jefferson might resist the idea that he—a man of letters, a statesman—could be reduced to mere property. He may try to reason with his captors, appeal to their sense of justice, or cite natural law and Enlightenment principles. But those arguments would fall on deaf ears, as the realities of chattel slavery were not dictated by reason but by brute power.
Would he, after years of suffering, rethink his views on liberty and race? Would he finally grasp the hypocrisy of his own words in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed that "all men are created equal," even as he had once owned enslaved people himself?
3. The Discovery of His True Identity
Years later, perhaps a traveling European trader or diplomat—someone familiar with Jefferson’s writings—recognizes him. Shocked that the intellectual author of the American Revolution is now a slave, this individual spreads the news to African elites.
Alternatively, a literate African scholar or Islamic cleric, upon seeing Jefferson writing in English or French, might realize that he is no ordinary slave. If he had managed to secretly record his thoughts or preserve knowledge of architecture, law, and governance, he might have been identified as someone valuable.
4. A Shift in Status—But Not Immediate Freedom
Upon discovery, Jefferson could be taken out of the fields and reassigned to a position of intellectual labor. He might be ordered to draft letters for his enslaver, construct buildings, or even advise on matters of state. However, recognition of his intellect would not necessarily mean freedom—his value as property would only increase.
Some African rulers, especially in Islamic states, historically valued enslaved scholars and administrators. He might be given a role similar to other enslaved intellectuals in history, such as Job Ben Solomon, who was enslaved in America but regained his status upon proving his literacy in Arabic.
5. The Prospect of Escape or Redemption
Depending on the political climate, Jefferson might become a pawn in African-European diplomacy. A European power sympathetic to American rebels (such as France) might negotiate for his release. Alternatively, abolitionist movements, upon hearing of his fate, might advocate for his freedom, framing his enslavement as an ironic example of the injustices of slavery.
If freed, would Jefferson return to America, forever changed by his experiences? Would he write a searing indictment of slavery, having lived it himself? Or would he remain in Africa, attempting to shape governance based on what he learned in the West?
6. The Impact on History
This reversal of fate could have massive repercussions:
The American Revolution’s Course Could Change: Without Jefferson’s leadership, the ideological foundation of the revolution might have been weaker or delayed.
A Different Perspective on Slavery in America: If Jefferson had returned, his writings could have accelerated abolition in the U.S. Imagine if the author of the Declaration of Independence had firsthand testimony of slavery’s brutality.
A New Political Landscape in Africa: Jefferson’s intellect, if recognized and leveraged by African leaders, might have contributed to new forms of governance, influencing African states before European colonization.
A Tragic Irony of History
This scenario forces a reconsideration of history’s ironies—how the architects of liberty could so easily have been victims of the same oppression they perpetuated. Would Jefferson, after years in bondage, have seen the full horror of slavery and dedicated his life to eradicating it? Or would he have rationalized his own suffering in a way that justified the system’s existence?
Ultimately, this alternate history underscores the sheer contingency of fate—how the enslaved intellectuals Jefferson himself overlooked, like Omar ibn Said, were not so different from him, except for the circumstances of their birth.
The Unpredictability of Power and Status
History is filled with ironies—moments when the powerful become powerless, the wealthy are reduced to beggars, and the architects of great empires find themselves at the mercy of those they once ruled. Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, was a champion of liberty who also owned enslaved people. So, let’s look even deeper if history had reversed his fate: if, during the American Revolution, he had been captured by Loyalists, sold into slavery, and transported to West Africa, where he toiled as chattel property before his intellectual prowess was recognized.
This counterfactual scenario may seem like a historical thought experiment, but it is more relevant today than we might think. In an era of economic decline in the West and rising economic opportunities in Africa, the possibility of Westerners finding themselves at the mercy of African economies, legal systems, and even coercive structures is not far-fetched.
The reversal of status, fortunes, and political dominance is happening in real time. This article explores how such a fate could befall someone today and the broader implications of shifting global power.
1. Historical Context: The Reversal of Fortunes in Human History
History has a way of humbling even the mightiest. Civilizations rise and fall, and the oppressed of one era can become the rulers of another. Consider a few historical examples:
The Mongols and China: The Mongols, once seen as barbarians, conquered China and established the Yuan Dynasty, ruling over the very civilization that had viewed them as inferior.
The Fall of Rome: The Roman Empire, at its height, enslaved and ruled over vast populations. But in its decline, Rome itself was sacked by “barbarians” such as the Visigoths and Vandals, who turned the tables on their former oppressors.
The European Colonization of Africa—and Its Aftermath: European powers divided Africa among themselves in the 19th and 20th centuries, subjugating its people. Today, as Western economies struggle and African nations rise, some Westerners are finding themselves seeking opportunities—or even facing persecution—in a continent they once exploited.
This pattern—dominance giving way to subjugation—is a fundamental truth of history. The Thomas Jefferson reversal scenario could easily manifest in modern times, albeit under different conditions.
2. A Modern Equivalent: A European Expatriate in Africa Falls from Grace
Meet David Richardson: A Modern Jefferson in Reverse
David Richardson is a British entrepreneur who, like many Westerners, sees Africa as the "next frontier" of global business. With Europe facing economic stagnation, David relocates to Lagos, Nigeria, hoping to take advantage of Africa’s growing tech ecosystem. He secures investment in a fintech startup and enjoys the privileges that many Western expatriates take for granted—residing in elite neighborhoods, rubbing shoulders with influential African politicians, and living a life of luxury compared to many locals.
But fate is unpredictable.
A Sudden Political Shift
A new Nigerian administration, keen on reducing foreign influence in its economy, enacts strict financial regulations. Western entrepreneurs are targeted under anti-corruption laws that claim they are exploiting Africa’s resources unfairly. David’s company is accused of violating financial regulations, and he is arrested.
From Entrepreneur to Prisoner
Despite his connections, David is imprisoned. His wealth is frozen. He is no longer an influential businessman but a powerless detainee at the mercy of a legal system he does not understand. Stripped of his status, he is held in a crowded prison, subjected to brutal conditions. His pleas for diplomatic intervention go unanswered as African nations, now geopolitically stronger, refuse to bend to Western pressure.
Forced Labor and Recognition
With no resources left, David is assigned to forced labor—perhaps working in agricultural fields under harsh conditions. He, like Jefferson in our alternate history, experiences firsthand what it means to be property in a foreign land.
Only years later is his past life rediscovered. A journalist uncovers his story, revealing that he was once a wealthy fintech entrepreneur. But by then, he is broken—physically and mentally. The world moves on. His fate becomes a cautionary tale, a symbol of how easily status can be reversed.
3. How This Scenario Is Already Happening in Small Ways
David’s story is fictional but not implausible. There are already real-world cases where Westerners have found themselves on the receiving end of historical ironies:
Westerners Detained in African Prisons: Several cases exist of European and American nationals imprisoned in African nations under laws that they underestimated or didn’t fully understand. Some have been detained for years without trial, subject to forced labor.
Economic Dependency on Africa: China’s growing economic influence in Africa has shifted the dynamic of power. Many Westerners now seek jobs in Africa, reversing a historical trend where Africans sought opportunities in Europe.
Africans Owning Western Assets: Increasingly, African billionaires are buying up properties in Europe and the U.S., reversing a long history of Western economic dominance in Africa.
These examples suggest that the traditional global order is not as immutable as many believe. The West no longer has a monopoly on power.
4. The Fragility of Power and Status
What can we learn from these reversals?
Power is Temporary: No civilization, empire, or individual holds power forever. The mighty fall, and the oppressed rise.
Economic Migration is Shifting: While Westerners once controlled Africa’s resources, many now seek opportunities in African nations.
Legal Systems are Not Universal: Just as Jefferson would have been powerless under African rule, today’s Western expatriates are often at the mercy of unfamiliar legal systems.
Wealth and Privilege Are Conditional: The things that shield people from suffering—money, connections, citizenship—can be stripped away in an instant.
The reversal of Thomas Jefferson’s fate in our thought experiment is not just a lesson in historical irony—it is a reminder that today’s privileged can become tomorrow’s dispossessed.
Fleeting Power, Enduring Knowledge: A Reflection on History and Progress
Historical Lesson: Enslaved Scholars and a Founding Father's Surprise
One striking historical anecdote involves Thomas Jefferson—principal author of the American Revolution—confronting an unexpected reality. Jefferson, who owned a copy of the Qur’an in his libraryshed to learn of enslaved Black men in his time who could read and write Arabic, a level of scholarly ability he did not anticipate from those in bondage .
Enslavlims like Omar ibn Said and Ayuba Suleiman Diallo (also known as Job Ben Solomon) exemplified this erudition. Omar ibn Said, an educated Muslim scholar held in North Carolina, even penned works of history and theology in Arabic while enslaved . Likewise, Ayuba Diallowrite in Arabic so impressed his 18th-century captors that they immediately realized he was no “common slave” but a man of learning and status .
These examples reveal a deeper trlooked: many who were enslaved were not illiterate laborers at all—they had been scholars, merchants, and leaders in Africa before their capture. Such knowledge and intellect survived even under oppression, quietly challenging the false narratives of inferiority.
But this story is not unique to modern history—it has happened before, most notably in the biblical story of Joseph, the son of Jacob.
The Story of Joseph: A Testament to the Reversal of Power
The story of Joseph, recorded in Genesis, is an ancient reminder that the reversal of fortunes is a recurring theme in history, particularly for Black men of status who found themselves enslaved.
Joseph, beloved by his father but despised by his envious brothers, was betrayed and sold into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37:28). Once a young man of privilege, wearing a coat of many colors as a sign of his father’s favor, Joseph was suddenly reduced to servitude, forced to labor in a foreign land.
Yet, like the enslaved African scholars centuries later, his wisdom, intellect, and faith could not be erased. Even as a slave in the house of Potiphar, Joseph’s talents set him apart. He quickly rose in status, managing the household and gaining trust—only to be falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39:20).
But history did not end there. Joseph’s knowledge became his redemption. Through his ability to interpret dreams—a skill that aligned with Egypt’s intellectual traditions—Joseph was eventually recognized by Pharaoh himself. He was elevated from a prisoner to the second most powerful man in Egypt, overseeing the land’s economy and saving nations from famine (Genesis 41:39-44).
This cycle of oppression, recognition, and elevation mirrors the fate of many Black men throughout history, from Ayuba Suleiman Diallo to Frederick Douglass. Stripped of their freedom but not their wisdom, their intellect became a force that could not be ignored. Just as Joseph’s foresight saved Egypt, many of these enslaved men shaped the economic and cultural landscapes of the places they were taken.
The story of Joseph is a divine reminder that power is transient, but knowledge endures. Just as Joseph was once a foreigner in chains but rose to a position of authority, many who were enslaved in America, the Caribbean, and across the globe have contributed immensely to the advancement of society, even under oppression.
The Fleeting Nature of Power
History shows that power and worldly glory are fleeting. Once-mighty figures and empires can fall, and those long oppressed can rise in their stead. The story of Jefferson’s stunned reaction is a reminder that the dominance of his social order was neither absolute nor permanent.
This theme echoes through time and scripture alike—King Solomon concluded in Ecclesiastes that material wealth and power are ultimately ephemeral, “vanity” in the grand scheme. Indeed, forces that seem invincible in one era may become footnotes in the next.
This understanding calls for a “Great Awakening” in our perspective: a humble recognition that fortunes reverse and new voices emerge. The oppressed of yesterday can become the drivers of tomorrow’s change. Such an awakening is a timeless message for societies everywhere, urging us to treat power with humility and to remain alert to the winds of change.
Modern Shifts and the Quest for Empowerment
Even within living memory, we have witnessed dramatic shifts in global fortunes. A compelling modern example comes from the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates, a country that was essentially impoverished and politically insignificant just a few generations ago, has transformed into a hub of wealth and innovation.
In Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, a cutting-edge Quantum Research Center now rises near the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque—a scene almost unimaginable in the mid-20th century. Meanwhile, in our own community, there are initiatives to secure our proverbial “40 acres and a mule” in the new high-tech economy.
One such effort is the proposed Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago, envisioned as an emerging “Silicon Valley” on the city’s South Side. Anchored by leading quantum computing firms and forward-looking investment, this project aims to empower historically marginalized communities with access to advanced industries.
These developments, both abroad and at home, illustrate how quickly the tables can turn. Places and people once considered peripheral are now taking center stage. The rise of a tech oasis on former industrial land, or a desert nation’s leap into technological prominence, underscores that change can arrive swiftly—and with it, an opportunity for those previously left behind to leap forward.
Ensuring Continuity of Knowledge for Future Generations
Amid these lessons of history and signs of progress, one principle stands out: the continuity of knowledge is key to lasting empowerment.
If there is one great awakening to heed, it is that education and the transmission of experience are the true engines of liberation.
We must reach our people—especially the young, and particularly young Black men who hold the key to our future—and equip them with the wisdom of the past and the skills of the present. Just as the written words of Joseph and the enslaved scholars of history survived to enlighten later generations, so must our knowledge and experiences be passed down and amplified.
By preserving our stories and lessons, and ensuring each generation builds upon them, we create an unbroken chain of empowerment that no shift in power can erase.
Unity Through Knowledge and Reflection
In reflecting on the arc of history—from Joseph’s captivity to Jefferson’s surprise to our modern struggles—we see the fragile nature of power and the enduring strength of knowledge.
The past teaches us that dominance can be temporary, but wisdom, once shared, can endure. Our task now is to act on this insight. That means working together across generations to educate, uplift, and prepare those who come after us.
If we commit to preserving our collective knowledge and investing in each other’s growth, we honor the legacy of those forgotten scholars and ensure that their light never dims.
In unity and understanding, we will find the power to transform our story, knowing that while power may shift and fade, the light of knowledge is everlasting.
Conclusion: Could You Be the Next Thomas Jefferson in Reverse?
This thought experiment is not just about Jefferson—it is about all of us. The world is changing, and those who assume that their status, nationality, or wealth will always protect them may be in for a rude awakening.
Just as a young Thomas Jefferson could have found himself bound in chains, laboring under the scorching African sun, today’s Westerners could face economic, political, or social reversals they never imagined.
The lesson? Power is fleeting, and history is never as fixed as it seems. Those who recognize this reality will adapt. Those who do not may one day wake up to find themselves in a world where they, too, are at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
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