1792: Construction of the symbol of American liberty, the White House, begins. The people who place the bricks are enslaved Africans. From morning to evening they moved heavy materials, cut stone, cut down trees and carved pillars. No freedom, no pay, no names on the records, just two words written where their names should be. employ blacks. In the 18th century, the White House was built and ready to become the home of the first president. President John Adams and his wife Abigail enter. Enslaved laborers were sent back to the plantations. No praise, no recognition. The situation will continue for the next 65 years. Jefferson brings his slaves. Madison brings his. Jackson brings his. They cook, they clean, they serve the American leaders who spoke of freedom while millions of black people remained enslaved. In 1865 slavery was abolished. Most of the builders are already dead. Their descendants face racial discrimination, segregation under Jim Crow laws, denying them opportunities and rights for generations, allowing them to enter only as servants, janitors and cooks. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement forces the door open. The Canadian administration opened regular tours of the White House to the public. Black Americans are allowed to visit the building their ancestors built with bloody hands. 170 years later, in 2009, Barack Obama became the first black president of the United States to walk through the doors. 2016: Michelle Obama stands inside and tells the truth: the building was hidden for two centuries. I wake up every morning in a house built by slaves. History has not forgotten them. The walls have stood for centuries with truth written on them, waiting to be recognized even when America refused to do so.

1792: Construction of the symbol of American liberty, the White House, begins. The people who place the bricks are enslaved Africans. From morning to evening they moved heavy materials, cut stone, cut down trees and carved pillars. No freedom, no pay, no names on the records, just two words written where their names should be. employ blacks. In the 18th century, the White House was built and ready to become the home of the first president. President John Adams and his wife Abigail enter. Enslaved laborers were sent back to the plantations. No praise, no recognition. The situation will continue for the next 65 years. Jefferson brings his slaves. Madison brings his. Jackson brings his. They cook, they clean, they serve the American leaders who spoke of freedom while millions of black people remained enslaved. In 1865 slavery was abolished. Most of the builders are already dead. Their descendants face racial discrimination, segregation under Jim Crow laws, denying them opportunities and rights for generations, allowing them to enter only as servants, janitors and cooks. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement forces the door open. The Canadian administration opened regular tours of the White House to the public. Black Americans are allowed to visit the building their ancestors built with bloody hands. 170 years later, in 2009, Barack Obama became the first black president of the United States to walk through the doors. 2016: Michelle Obama stands inside and tells the truth: the building was hidden for two centuries. I wake up every morning in a house built by slaves. History has not forgotten them. The walls have stood for centuries with truth written on them, waiting to be recognized even when America refused to do so.