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According to an essay appearing in "Brother Man- The Odyssey of Black Men in America- An Anthology" Lynch was a British slave owner in the West Indies who came to the United States to tell American slave owners how to keep their slaves under control. The term "lynching" is derived from Lynch's name. Because of the interest, Mr. Farrakhan's presentation has aroused, the AFRO has gone to its own archives to reprint the document.
A WORD TO OUR READERS:
With that said, read on with caution...
Gentlemen, I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First, I shall thank you, the gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia, for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me on my modest plantation in the West Indies where I have experimented with some of the newest and still the oldest methods of control of slaves. Ancient Rome would envy us if my program were implemented. As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious King, whose version of the Bible we cherish. I saw enough to know that your problem is not unique. While Rome used cords of woods as crosses for standing human bodies along its highways in great numbers you are here using the tree and the rope on occasion.
I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree a couple of miles back.
You are not only losing a valuable stock by hangings, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the fields too long for maximum profit, you suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed. Gentlemen, you know what your problems are: I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them.
In my bag here, I have a fool proof method for controlling your Black slaves. I guarantee everyone of you that if installed correctly it will control the slaves for at least 300 hundred years. My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it.
I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves: and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use fear, distrust, and envy for control purposes. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences, and think about them. On top of my list is "Age", but it is there only because it starts with an "A": the second is "Color" or shade, there is intelligence, size, sex, size of plantations, status on plantation, attitude of owners, whether the slave live in the valley, on hill, East, West, North, South, have fine hair, coarse hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences. I shall give you an outline of action-but before that I shall assure you that distrust is stronger than trust and envy is stronger than adulation, respect, or admiration.
The Black slave after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self re-fueling and self generating for hundreds of years, maybe thousands. Don't forget you must pitch the old Black male vs. the young Black male, and the young Black male against the old Black male. You must use the dark skin slaves vs. the light skin slaves and the light skin slaves vs. the dark skin slaves. You must use the female vs. the male, and the male vs. the female. You must also have your white servants and overseers distrust all Blacks, but it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. They must love, respect and trust only us. Gentlemen, these kits are your keys to control. Use them. Have your wives and children use them, never miss an opportunity. If used intensely for one year, the slaves themselves will remain perpetually distrustful. Thank you, gentlemen.
FROM: Nstignld@gnn.comHello Sisters and Brothers! I read most of the Willie Lynch story before the Million Man March. The document that was given to me had at least 3 missing pages. But, I got the gest right away, it comfirms the problems that we as a people have experienced and still are experiencing within our own communities. From that day of 1712 at the James River forward our people are lost and confused. It's a shame that Blacks will turn their heads and look off into space rather than speak and greet one another with smile or just a friendly hell'o! We have very little respect for each other. Black on Black crime!!! What about drug??? Single parent homes? Poor health..Diet??? All part of Lynch's plans!!! The list is .......ENDLESS!!! Yes!!! Willie Lynch successfully reached his goals!!! Willie reached into his fool proof BAG OF TRICKS and method for controlling Black slaves, that is programming our people successfully worked. TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR YEARS and counting!!! As a people sad to say, many of us have forgotten what it was like for our people just 4 decades ago. Sure we have made strides and some have reached the so called American Dream! Whatever that is! SOMEONE OUT THERE IN CYBERSPACE SAID FORGET THE PAST! WE CAN NOT! MUST NOT! SHALL NOT EVER FORGET THE PAST WE MUST REMEMBER THE PAST AND MOVE FORWARD AND LEARN FROM IT. TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A MUCH BETTER FUTURE BY LEARNING THE LESSIONS FROM THE PAST. WHO KNOWS MAYBE JUST MAYBE THIS NET LOCATION IS A START FOR US ALL! IF THE STORY IS FACT OR MERE FICTION. THE RESULTS ARE WHAT FACES US AS WE APPROACH 300 YEARS! THINK ABOUT THIS! HOW FAR BACK CAN YOU TRACE YOUR ROOTS? IN MOST CASES IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT TASK. WILLIE LYNCH TRAINED HIS SLAVE OWNERS WELL!!! I CHALLENGE EACH OF YOU TO SHARE THE STORY, ORGANIZE AND WORK TOWARDS DEPROGRAMMING EACH OTHER.
FROM: Tommy Webb (Tommy.Webb@Ascensionet.Com)
Considering the state of our people today, if the letter were not authentic, then something, and someone else got into the conscieniousness of these "slavers" that made a mark then and has taken it toll toady... We doubt the authenticity of the Jews in Germany during WWII. There will be someone to doubt/oppose anything!
I feel that a Lynch letter, a Lynch speech could have been very real. Certainly we need to pick up from some point and begin to turn around that thinking.
Tommy WebbFROM: KTubbs9806@aol.com
I do believe the Willie Lynch letter is very much real, as the message that was given by Mr. Lynch is still being used TODAY. I have a more detailed letter that was written by Mr. Lynch from the Revolutionary Times-Chicago, Illinois also in the article Let"s Make a Sabe by the Black Arcade Liberation Library 1970.
Maybe you could find these article and print it in as it is written . This article compares us with the breaking of horses, that is how we were broke.FROM: GPEK02A@prodigy.com (MRS BRENDA J HENDERSON)
It does not matter the source of this letter. The important thing is the matters that it talks about. The fact that this is still happing to out black people. This is very relavent to us and until we erase these inner lines that "Mr. Lynch" has drawn and we have kept defined we will never unite.FROM: GBurchell@aol.com
What is the big deal? If the article is true are not true!! It was said in a time when most African-Americans were slaves, who were owned by whites. What was said 100 yrs ago by one man, in his attempts to get whites to place or control their niggahs better, does not have any bearing on a free people and or the white people of today!!! Stop listening to "NUTS" like Farrakan who claim to be Jesus ( and he does) and stop looking in the past for the answers for today. Stop looking at the white man as an excuse for black america's problems. later for now!!!FROM: Gail Corum (pancakes@worldnet.att.net)
Any information that stirs as much controversy as the Willie Lynch story must be BASED upon fact. Please forward me any information as to the authenticity of this document. Why? Because I feel Blacks, whether because of Willie Lynch or another, are extra critical of controversial information received from other Blacks (excluding Pastor/Ministers), so credability must be substantiated. I would like to draft an outline for TRUST, RESPECT and ADMIRATION for young Black children to counter the fear, distrust and envy that permeates the Black community. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. Send EMail to: pancakes@worldnet.att.netFROM: Ira Camp (whizkid@interserv.com)
I shared your information about Willie Lynch with a few workmates. Some were not aware of this man's existance. All believe this man was real. His plan would explain some of the destructive behavior exhibited by several Blacks towards each other. Is Willie's poison is still making us sick? If so, how do we get it out of our system?FROM: Jerrell Wilson Baker (jwbaker@freenet.scri.fsu.edu)
I'd like to address some points I'm hearing hear. One gentleman says something to the affect that we are at fault if we dont stop the cycle now as if we have nothing against us in the same way of mental slavery. They are the ones over the majority of the education. Africa is skipped unless its briefly or cosmetically studied periodically. Of course they leave much out. Many wont even admit it happened. On the other hand though I can name every European Country, had read the play, see the movie and then act out McBeth, Ann Franks Diary ect. Then I was tested on the books of Oedipus Rex, Virgil, Dante ect. How many African countries could you name in school or better yet how much African Folklore do you know? Tend not to excel in studies that are opposite you with no balance. Many drop out. Many people have little or no knowledge of this letter in spite of the March. The majority of the 35 million Africans here did'nt even see the entire March. Many that did dont remember in debt about certain parts. Cant cure what you dont know ya have! I myself did'nt realize he said the entire thing and I was there. For the gentleman who considers high positions in the military to be an honor. Of what religion are you. Muhammed Ali didn't go to Vietnam because of his religion right. Well, why did my own father go(he's Christian). It's against his religion too. HELLO, THOU SHALL NOT KILL. But because this mighty white man told him to go and kill for him, he sold his soul. He's a Colonel with three Degrees and still got fooled along with many highschool drop out that dont know any better than to follow for money. Who is your allegiance to? God or the White man that tells you to KILL for your country? Who do you most fear? God or Him? It's very clear but many of us are still fooled arent we! It's even deeper know that then. Tens of thousands die in Bosnia and they went and helped. Millions died in Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Sudan, Zimbabwe ect. for many many years and we still do nothing. African Amer. troops are even helping in Bosnia before our own and we see it as an honor. Would you agree that they have us a lot deeper than many think? If we told little kids the truth from the begining they would be intellectual geniuses again. My own family thinks I'm crazy for wanting to live in Africa. They think theres nothing there. Then why did'nt those Dutch want to give it back to the South Africans????? They killed greatly for it as did Portugal, France, Britan, Italy, ect, ect. We need to teach everyone how to think verses what to think!!!!!FROM: Gerald Brown (gerald_brown@eee.org)
Is it true? Is is myth? Did George Washington chop down his father's cherry tree? Did Icarus really fly too close to the sun?
I looked up the word "parable," and this is what I found: "A story illustrating a moral or religious lesson." So let us call Willie Lynch a parable and end the debate.
The moral of the Legend of Willie Lynch is this: If we are going to mitigate the effects of slavery, we must first acknowledge that the very institution created some unnatural behaviors in us. We did not deserve for this to happen to us, but here we are several generations removed from state sanctioned slavery and much of the trauma of that era still afflicts us. However, understanding the affliction gives rise to alternatives for remedy. Knowing that mistrust was beaten in to us should cause us to work to trust. I see signs everyday that we are gaining the confidence to trust one another.
No need to debate, let us simply heed the lesson and continue on our path of recovery.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerald Brown
San Bernardino, CAminty101@ix.netcom.com
A coworker of mine has given me a copy( bits and pieces) of the actual letter(that's all he had) What I've seen so far in your page as is the case anywhere else I've searched on the net was just an outline of the letter.The actual letter gives all the info on how to achieve the white slaveowners goals in regards to their slaves.For example the letter describes the importance of the breaking process of the African woman.According to Mr Lynch by whipping the male"nigger"to the point of death in the presence of the woman she will feel unprotected,and with the male image as protector destroyed,she will raise her young male offspring(psychologically)to be mentally weak and dependent but physcially strong.This was done by her for fear for his life.The female offspring would be raised to be psychologically independent.The end results according to Lynch was "you've got the nigger woman out front and the nigger man behind and scared.This is a perfect situation for sound sleep and economics" The copy that I have isn't very legible nor is it complete. I was wondering if someone else may know where on the net or elsewhere it may be found.One page of the copy that I have has the name the Revolutionary Times printed on the top of the page as though it's the name of a newspaper.My coworker has had this for some time and can't really remember who he got it from.FROM: MAN_IN_CHRIST@GOD.NET.COM
One of the biggest barriers between whites and blacks are the sterotypes that we set upon one another. Willie Lynch sterotypes all blacks as ignorant and untrustworthy. It is people like "Willie Lynch" that build up this barrier between the races. The strength and ignorance of his own message sticks in our minds, so that we believe that this is the way that all white men think. This is the barrier. The problem is that there are so many ignorant whites out there, for example the skinheads, the kkk, and a majority of the government, that we, in our anger, can not look past these ignorant swine. We sterotype all whites as posessing these qualities, and believe that all whites posess some degree of this hatred called racism. It is this attitude that will hold us back in gaining what should be rightfully ours. For if we refuse to look beyond those who are ignorant, and we refuse to break down the barrier, then how can we expect to move forward? How can we expect to live as one in a society when we live with these barriers between us? Willie Lynch lived in 1712 and wouldn't last a minute in this day and age.FROM: Techcenter@d2.ccusd.k12.CA.US
This speech was first read to me four years ago. Immediately I was enlightened about enslavement. Regardless whether a white man "Willie Lynch" organized this essay or not, it is so true today. Let us examine our selves. Are we always exploiting differences. Do we put color against color, style of clothing against other stlyes ? We are a people who pride ourselves on exposing others differences. Now are we willing to admit that the problem with slavery today rest with us? Can we truthfully admit that we can not trust one another and that we aren't willing to trust or to be trustful. Many of us would sell each other out in a minute because of insecurity, for the right price. It doesn't help to blame the white man. Because he longer has control of our mind. If anything this is a mirror to the black community at large. Theoretically all William did was to sow a seed of destruction and allow us to destroy ourselves perpetually, in other words he didn't have to lift one finger. According to the essay he didn't force any of us to think as he did, we just did. To set it planely we have screwed up our own selves. So what are we going to do to change, let us set our houses in order. The white man is not responsible for all that is going wrong and if he is it is completely intellectual, and we are all rational ,aware people we fall victum to are own deceit. Therefore it is my conclusion that whether it was a white man or black man who penned this wonderful portrayl of destruction it rings great truth forever, To be honest it warning rest in so much of our lives. Let us examine ourselves. God Bless and keep all of us.FROM: Tommy Webb (Tommy.Webb@Ascensionet.Com)
It's good for us to know that things like "The Lynch Letter" does exist. It's good to be prepared..... Here we are TODAY! On the Internet from schools all over the country. People at almost any level of government, and in the military... No person, or people could ever again have that much of an impact on Black Folks again, ever!
I'm of the thinking these days that "the man" exists, in part, in the imagination. Sure there are folks that won't hire this, won't recognize that, and all that, that goes on in racist society, I think, is real. But killing the spirit? Killing my concern about my folks! That's up to me! and me alone.
I came across the Lynch letter in the NBC (NY) News computer system some months ago and have been thinking about ever since. Yes, it could very well be real, no doubt. "To know your History is to know your strength!"
If most of us are aware of that technique, we must make others aware of what they are doing to contribute to the destruction of a people.. That's not that easy. (We would have to have a large meeting somewhere with leaders that we could trust, to give us their assessment of what is happening to our people. I got it, "The Million Man March"!!!)FROM: W. Telle (wtelle@dbtech.net)
The SHORT ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY OF MODERN ENGLISH says this about the origin of the word "lynch": "Lynch's Law (1782) 'named after Captain William Lynch (1742-1820) of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and later of Pendleton District, North Carolina': a compact drawn up in 1760 by Lynch and his neighbors, to enable them to deal summarily, orig(inally) not necessarily by hanging, with such lawless characters as were-or seemed to be-beyond the reach of the law"
You will note that Lynch was born 30 years after this alleged speech was made and that there is no reference made to slaves or negroes of any sort in the reference to this term.FROM: Sherry Sherrill (ba882@FreeNet.Buffalo.EDU)
I heard this piece for the 1st time on C-Span the day of the M3. I cried, and raged during Min. F.'s delivery of it. Is it believable? YES. Do I believe that a White man would utter such trash? YES. Do I believe that he received a standing ovation afterwards? YES. Unlike some of your cyberguests I feel that this type of historical illumination is important because we can learn alot about Racism by studying the ideas and rhetoric of the men and women who introduced and facilitated its practice. The truly ironic thing is that thepiece rings so "true" when you look at the distrust, envy, self-hatred, and intra-racial discord so prevalent throughout our c###FROM: Christine Cheryl Charity (CCharity@ix.netcom.com)
I don't buy it---it's too political---sounds like something Farakkhan conjured up--besides, I don't think whites back then really saw any differences among black people--to them a ni--er was a ni--er.FROM: FrankieLou@aol.com
Whether the Willie Lynch speech is authentic or not is not important. What is important today is to prevent people from adopting a Willie Lynch attitude toward us. Everytime someone steps on our racial toes we must yell and scream. Far too many of us are willing to endure harsh treatment like the bowing and scrapping House nigs... We must remember that only the squeaking wheels gets respect.FROM: Anna Kalinina (uakalinina@MSUVX1.MEMPHIS.EDU)
It doesn't matter if Willie Lynch really existed, it does matter if we contiune with self destruction. We should look at the message and stop that cycle as outlined in the speech.FROM: Michael J. Adams (73412.663@compuserve.com)
This speech attributed to Willie Lynch is pure food for thought. At issue is not the authenticity of Willie Lynch, the speech, nor is it Mr. Farrakhan's credibility in telling the story. I could care less. I believe it is whether you or I, as humans, will relinquish our GOD given power to another being.
In today's world, African Americans would be wise to broaden their perspective of self identity. Sadly, on a global scale we are first seen for the color of our skin. Only then, the question of nationality comes into question. National boundaries are becoming less important for the sake of big business. North American, Asian, and European regional alliances are already a fact. Once we accept this global phenomenon, we can begin to recognize and appreciate the similarities of all peoples (especially, peoples of color). We can free our thoughts of being a "minority" and inferior--self empowering. We can allow ourselves to return to our true spiritual being; where our faith is rested with no worldly man and we are at peace with nature--self empowering. We can free ourselves to return to our natural (tribal) sense of community, with no need for envy--self empowering. History reveals the original man was one of us!
Even with the knowledge of wrongs perpetrated by peoples of color against one another; there are so many more achievements to build upon and to be proud of. Any human, of African descent, living in America who claims to be beat down or limited by the white man has only enslaved himself.FROM: William H. Smith (74404.461@compuserve.com)
I just read the speech. What difference does it make? There is too much spent on the past and not enough on the present. History is to be used to help make decision in the present. If you dwell on history, you do not advance to the future. If you dwell on history it becomes your master. What you think is what enslaves you, not the past, present, or other no matter their color.
FROM: Linda Fletcher (ljf10@columbia.edu)
I recently read the article about Willie Lynch and I started to search to find information regarding this subject. I searched the internet and did find a few discussions on the matter. What I did find out from looking in a dictionary under the word lynch I found Lynch Law and Charles Lynch. The dictionary stated that it is believed that the word lynch comes from Charles Lynch. But what was interesting is when you realize that the word lynch is a verb that was created from someones name. It shows that (white society) historically has been so violent in their treatment of us that a new verb came into existence.
FROM: Craig Anthony Robinson (craigar@umich.edu)
I am a high school Social Studies teacher who uses the Willie Lynch Speech in class. I instruct the students to take it as food for thought and grounds for further research. We don't dismiss is outright because whether or not the document is authentic, it is still "real." Could you please forward whatever comments/arguements you have received regarding the authenticity of the speech as it may assist me with my instruction.
Sankofa,
Craig RobinsonFROM: Manigault Gentile (bags1@gramercy.ios.com)
I think that what Willie Lynch passed out after his speech is far more interesting then his speech and had a much more devastating effect on us till this day. The physiology used to break the African Male and the African Female in 1712 was so refined, that it not only broke the slave but it broke the slave owner, because they had to give up being human beings. They had to separate themselves from the human family and thats why their desendents don't have the ability to look in the mirror. The Planter's Manaul is much more horrific and much more enlighten then that stupid speech. You can find the complete text of what Willie brought to the table on Netnoir on America on Line. On the message board under the Million Man March heading . Look for Willie Lynch Revisted in 3 parts. The truth will set you free.
FROM: Reginald Farris (blkgriot@earthlink.net)
I intuitively feel that this is a fairly accurate statement of this white man, as evidenced by the fact that it is still in practice to this very day!!!
FROM: Jimmy D. Kelly (kelly64@ix.netcom.com)>
Unfortunately, Mr. Farrakhan's speech was not the first time I had heard the Willie Lynch story, and based what is reported to have been said by Lynch, and the history of the atrocities done to our people; it is believable. Additionally, the source of my first hearing of this account is in my opinion well versed in various aspects of African American History, and I do believe it is a credible account. It cuts right to the heart of why we are where we are as a people right now. Until we know all of our history, the good, the bad and in this case the horrifying, we cannot combat and break free of the shackles society has bound us by in the United State of America. The United States of America is a country where the founding fathers had a vision for freedom and liberty that did not include us, but was built upon our backs with our toil and sweat.
FROM: Duran C. Johnson (johnson@daugherty.com)
In my humble opinion, it doesn't really matter whether Willie Lynch existed or not. What does matter is the principle associated with this story. If people want to debate on that which is irrelevant, let them do so. I, personally, will not get involved in quibbling on whether he existed or not. I will, however, challenge anyone to say that the principle is debatable. I am sure that some are wondering, "what principle is this man talking about?". I am glad you asked. The principle that rings loud and clear is:
Africans were brainwashed into hating each other and hating themselves by the slave masters. This was done by design, not happen stance. The fact of the matter is, evidence is all around us. Look at Black-on-Black crime, look at the Black family structure, look at drug abuse. Willie Lynch, real or not, was right - 284 years have passed and we (African-Americans) are, indeed, keeping ourselves enslaved without the slave masters' help. We are doing it to ourselves!
Jesus Christ used parables to explain principles to his disciples throughout the bible. For those who question whether Willie Lynch is real, I suggest that you consider this a parable and get with the program. Don't lose sight of the forest because of the trees.
Later.FROM: BARRYH2894@aol.com
First and foremost, it is irelevant whether or not a "willie lynch" actually ever existed.
Whites of that time period and of THIS time 1996 still adhere to lynch's ideas that he spoke of in his speech. The fact that this speech is so profound says alot about how things have not changed over 200yrs.FROM: Clipper075@aol.com
Just read the Lynch piece at your web site. Pretty sick stuff but just reading it and seeing how it was written made me wonder about its authenticity. It doesn't "sound" like writings from the early 18th century.
I'm not suggesting that the subject matter was not written about but that the words used and how they are used suggest a more modern writing style.
It also figures that Farakhan would bring this up. It amazes me that people look up to this guy who has once claimed to have seen Allah on a spaceship - give me a break!FROM: CHARLES MURPHY (CHADMURPHY@msn.com)
I can't don't wnat doubt anything the Minister has to say, for instance the challenge to congress and willing to name congressional members that are honarary members of the Knneset. Now we have a spokseman that is not hand picked by them.
FROM: James Parish (JPARISH@softwint.com)
I not sure of the authenticity of the letter, but it gives great insite on the differences that we allow people of different color and of the same color to enforce on us. I believe we allow these chains of bondage to still be put on us by NOW fellow peers of the same color. If we continue to put up with the foolish beliefs of others and we allow people to dictate how we should feel, act, believe without throughly investigating the issues for ourselves then we deserve NOWDAY SLAVERY.
I hope I don't sound crule or rude that is not my intentions. I only want to say that if you as a person don't search for the truth and continue to believe whatever people decide to tell you then you will continue to live your life for others. I not saying don't listen to what others say but verify that what you receive is TRUTH.FROM: Jay Ento (jento@eecs.berkeley.edu)
Let them eat cake!
Check out George Frasier's book, "Success Runs in our Race" . not only does the author explain Willie Lynch but goes one step further and reveals the 1978 "infamous memo" from Mr. Brezizinski, a memberof former President Jimmy Carter's admionistration discussing in detail how to make the Black race in America perpetually distrustful of each other.
By the way the memo was confiscated by a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Jay Ento
Director
Jr. SouthernHeirs' Club (black history club for kids)
Oakland CAFROM: Jake Lang (lang9447@uidaho.edu)
I have no idea hoe anyone could get upset at this article, or any of the information. For any organization or mind set to exsist as long as it did , their has to be sucess stories. Control is a fun thing.I think more information of this type should be released for public knowledge. Please find me any information on America Slave shipping ports. After slavery was found unacceptable most areas with a rich slave heritage conceled all of the best information from the public.
FROM: student@csufresno.edu
Dear Sirs -
Aside from the obvious implications raised by Louis Farrakhan's reference to the unsubstantiated words of "Willie Lynch," many have ignored or shucked aside the issue of the validity of Farrakhan's speech in this regard. Some claim that the idea or message embodied in this story lies at the heart of this debate, and thus the truthfulness of Farrakhan's accounts are of no concern or consequence.
Yet, this line of thinking is dangerous. If Farrakhan stands before the black community and demands moral behavior and personal responsibility, is it then unreasonable to expect Mr. Farrakhan to "practice what he preaches." Owing to the fact that Farrakhan is a self appointed leader and role model for many in the black community, one would assume that he would act ethically and refrain from inventing stories in the hope of bolstering his message. In light of the fact that Mr. Farrakhan was condemned this week by the U.S. State Department for his recent actions in Libya and Iran, the issue of Mr. Farrakhan's moral and ethical principles become all the more relevant.FROM: Terrence Thomas (tethomas@dubois.fisk.edu)
As a history major at Fisk University, I had not heard of a man by the name of Willie Lynch. I can see where a debate would rise over this document since there have been several letters given to African Americans by other Blacks under the guise that the KKK wrote them. This letter or speech hits to close to home to not really be questioned. Futhermore if something of this magnitude would acutally have occured wouldn't white superimists have already glorified it? The name of the man LYNCH, makes you wonder if it isn't just an analogy that black people need to look at. Lastly, to say that this occured is giving white people too much credit. They are underhanded not smart.
FROM: Norman J Scott (carlin@in.net)
Who cares whether it's authentic or not. It's being and has been practiced by white americans for hundreds of years. Who ever criticized the authenticity of such a document should be [willie]lynched.
FROM: Kdjt1@aol.com
Dear AFRO, I have just read the "willie lynch speech of 1712" on your web page. I have also witnessed this "demonic spirit", having lived in maryland, and virginia in the early 70's. At that time, I attended high school and lived in neighborhoods of mostly white predominancy. Although it was an excellent chance for me to prove that I wasn't the "so called" stereotypical black person that most white kid's from well-to-do-neighborhood's learn, the years were good. They were good because I decided, after a brief observance, to ignore the attacks of "Fear, Distrust, and Envy" brought on unfortunately by the "Ignorance, Doubt, and Fear" of whites who were & are responsible. The Bible says; "There is nothing hidden, that shall not be revealed". Or brought out from the darkness. At one time or another, history has tried to burn, bury, or bribe the thuth from being told. But it has and always will manage to surface. So Help Us GOD ! kdjt1@aol.com
FROM: Brian Harvey
Dear Sir or Madame: I tried to reply via the network homepage. I, like the librarian also looked for a reference on Willie Lynch and couldn't find one. I contribute this to who is writing the books and reference material. My comment is that I can't find the ship or ship log to prove that a Harvey or an African that was later named Harvey came to this country but I am living proof that one did. Reflect back to the days preceeding the MMM and remember all of the rationale that we were presented for not attending. Too numerous to list here but frightenly similar to the advice of Willie Lynch. Willie Lynch is alive and well and living __(_your town here_)____.
FROM: student@lib.siu.edu
I found this piece to be very hard to believe, yet believable. It drives into the spirit of every person who stumbles across its words.
Gary X (garyxpo@cybernw.com)
Certainly there has been alot of excitement and controversey over the authenticity of Mr. Lynch's speech, and leading the way in the controversy are black americans who always seem to question what a black man has to say when speaking on subject matter unknown to the listeners at the time they hear it. We fell right back into the Willie Lynch syndrome by distrusting the message from a black man. If our people had the same reaction toward their pastors (generally speaking), there would never have been a need for a million man march. Food for thought.
FROM: Julian R. Meade (JandCMeade@aol.com)
I found your "Willie Lynch" piece incredible and yet frightening. Whether "Willie Lynch" existed or not is irrelevant. What is important is that the issues used by "Willie Lynch" to control the black slave are apparent to this day--nearly 300 years later! Although we don't like to talk about it publicly, we African Americans have been brainwashed to a large extent in believing that some African Americans are better (or perceived to be better) based on certain physical characteristics. Too many of us, unfortunately, are the "crabs in the barrel" when it comes to supporting our own. Until we decide to treat each other with dignity and respect, we will not be able to fight the "Willie Lynches'" of the world.
FROM: Ezzell, Joline (jre@mail.lib.duke.edu)
I am a librarian. Soon after the Million Man March, a library patron wanted to locate the document by Willie Lynch that was referenced by Minister Farrakhan during his speech at the march. I did extensive checking without success. I called the Nation of Islam and asked where the document was located. The gentleman with whom I spoke said that it was in a book. When I asked the title, he went away from the phone for a few minutes, came back and said he didn't know. I have since found the text of the document through several Internet sites, including yours. What I am looking for, though, is the location of the original text. I have not yet been successful, and would appreciate any leads you or anyone else can give.
What I have found is the following, from the National Cyclopedia of American Biography (1901), volume 11, p. 231-232 and p. 511. Charles Lynch, born in Galway, Ireland, in 1699, sailed for Virginia about 1718. The owner of the vessel on which he sailed sold him at auction when they arrived, to raise the amount of his passage. His owner treated him as a member of the family, and Lynch married the owner's daughter. They had two sons, John and Charles. John inherited the property, the site of what is now Lynchburg, which was named for him (John Lynch). Charles was an ardent Whig and a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. During the Revolutionary War, (in which he did not serve due to his Quaker background) he achieved notoriety for, with some of his neighbors, arresting suspected lawbreakers (mainly Tories, desperadoes, horse-stealers and other thieves) and holding a court in his home, to which the suspects could bring witnesses and defend themselves. Lynch and his neighbors served as the judges. Quoting from the NCAB, "If acquitted, he was allowed to go; if convicted, he was sentenced to received thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, and if he did not then shout 'Liberty forever' he was hanged up by the thumbs until he gave utterance to that patriotic sentiment. The offender was tied to a large walnut tree, which still stands on the lawn of the old Lynch house and the whipping administered without delay. This circumstance, which afterwards gave him the name of 'Judge Lynch,' was the origin of the terms 'lynch-law' and 'lynching.' " Towards the end of the revolutionary war Lynch raised a regiment of riflemen, and was present at the Battle of Guilford Court House in North Carolina. He died in 1796.
So, as you can see, Lynchburg was named for John Lynch, and the terms lynch- law and lynching came from the actions of John's brother, Charles. Nowhere was Willie mentioned, nor slaves, though both John and Charles may have had them.
Can anyone help with locating the original text?
Thanks.FROM: Charles W. Sharpe, Sr.
I went to elementary and high school in Suffolk, Va. where Willie Lynch was no stranger. Funny, all of a sudden, he does not play an important role! Yes, there was a Willie Lynch. More importantly, there is a Willie Lynch. Ask the thousands of blacks who have been "lynched", one way of the other! Ask the historians of Lynchburg, Va. Those who deny the existence and spirit of Willie Lynch are in the mode of those who say that slavery never existed as we now know it, of that, even it did take place, blacks were happy to have white protectors. Willie Lynch may be dead, but his spirit is alive and well!
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