Final answer:
Benjamin Banneker refuted Jefferson's racial theories, advocating for equality and highlighting the contradiction between Jefferson's words and actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benjamin Banneker challenged Thomas Jefferson's views on race, countering Jefferson's theories of Black inferiority. In 1791, Banneker wrote a letter to Jefferson that critiqued his positions and advocated for racial equality. Banneker, a free African American and a self-taught scientist and surveyor argued against Jefferson's idea that Blacks were inherently intellectually inferior to Whites. He highlighted the contradiction between Jefferson's promotion of liberty in the Declaration of Independence and his practice of slaveholding. He pointed out the contradiction in Jefferson's advocacy for liberty while owning slaves.
Banneker also emphasized African-American contributions to society, showcasing the fallacy of racial stereotypes. Through his critique, Banneker sought to undermine prevailing notions about race and intelligence, advocating for a more just and egalitarian society, even in the face of racial prejudices prevalent during his time.