10/09/2015

Historical sterotypes

I was touring Montpelier Saturday with a Midwestern group.

Tourist:  Why should Dolly Madison be considered the first "First Lady" when Abigail Adams preceded her in the White House?

Guide: Abigail Adams hung her laundry to dry in the White House parlor!

Tourist: Well, she was a New Englander!

[Oh, the soft prejudice of lower expectations...]