“Willie Lynch Letter” – Part II – “Did Willie Exist; Is The Letter A Hoax?”
Since the writing of the earlier article, “The Willie Lynch Letter… Origin of the ‘N’ Word & ‘lynching’ …” its been discovered that there could possibly be some untruth to the story. I first realized the possbility when I received a comment from a teacher stating that the letter may simply be an ‘internet hoax’ read comment… A simple google search reveals more possiblities, such as this article …
I guess, it would be up to the individual reader, researcher, to make up his, or her on mind in regards to what is, or what is not, true in this matter. I certainly make no claims either way; just simply posted what had been discussed between a few colleagues at work…
First Article is below….
“The Willie Lynch Letter… Origin of the ‘N’ Word & ‘lynching’ …”
The United States Army is an organization, like many others, that tries it’s best to implement an equal opportunity program in-order-to make for a less hostile work environment for it’s troops. Of course, it does not solve each and every problem, but at least, there’s an attempt…
Each unit in the Army is required to have what is called an “Equal Opportunity Representative.” This Soldier is sent to a two week course where he/she learns the basic ins and outs of the concept of equal opportunity as it applies to Soldiers in the Army. At higher levels within the Army there is what’s called an Equal Opportunity Advisor. This Soldier is sent to a 4-month long course in-order-to handle full blown equal opportunity complaints upon graduation. This becomes their full-time job once they graduate.
The equal opportunity ‘representative’ is required to train it’s unit on matters of equal opportunity throughout the year. There are quarterly requirements and anual requirements. There are lecture formats and /or discussion settings as well.
This past week, our unit had a discussion about “disparaging terms.” One of the most well known derogatory, or degrading, terms that comes to mind is the “N” word (I’m not even going to spell it.) When it came to this particular word during the discussion, one of the African American Soldiers gave us a brief history lesson about the origin of that word, and the origin of “lynching” used for hanging someone. He talked about the ‘Willie Lynch Letter’ and shared some of it’s contents with us. This discussion suddenly got very interesting to say the least… I had either forgotten, or never knew, about this man and his infamous (terrible) letter. …
Willie Lynch had called himself the master of a ‘modest plantation.’ He was summoned from the British West Indies to speak to the local slave owners on the James River in Virginia in 1712about the problems they were having managing their slaves. The methods he discribed/advised were some of the most brutal physical, and psychological, methods imaginable. Basically, he advised the slave owners to stop hanging, or ‘lynching’ their troublesome slaves, and instead, start the process of breaking them down. Break them down to the point where all they know to do anymore is work themselves to death for you…
Part of the psychological degredation process was using the “N” word. A word coined by Willie Lynch. A word that, to this day, is still one of the most terrible words ever uttered…
The bottom-line of our discussion about disparaging terms was to be much more aware of what you are saying to others, because your words could have a larger impact than you realize…
More Reading:
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The odds are that more than likely the character Willie Lynch is a fictitious one, however, that is beside the point. The Willie Lynch character can easily serve as a metaphor for slavemasters in general. The point should then be, not whether Willie Lynch actually existed, but whether or not there is any merit to the content or message of the letter.
Whenever, I refer to the Willie Lynch letter I use the term Willie Lynch Syndrome. When one does a research on the making of a slave in other areas the content and message of the letter is highly supported. The Willie Lynch character is insignificant, what is significant is the message that’s being conveyed.
Thank You Mr. Lewis for your comment. I have to say that your comment and Sean’s > http://www.rupperadio.com/people/the-willie-lynch-letter-origin-of-the-n-word/comment-page-1/#comment-103 < have shed some much more needed light on the matter…
Hummm! Read Sean’s comments and can’t help but to be mystified as to what dangers he is alluding to. The Making of a Slave gives a most accurate account as to what blacks were subjected to. It is consistent with information from different sources as to how blacks were broken both physically and mentally to become the consumate slave. Other than being in denial I would be interested in knowing what Sean finds to be so dangerous about the letter.
I’m glad to hear that this topic has/is being debated. I feel as though I should elaborate a bit more on my comments. I was referring to the danger of teaching as fact biased material. I was also referencing the state of the community in which I teach. I am certainly not in denial about the disgusting and inhumane nature of slavery. The danger I spoke of is the danger that can result from misinformation. If a counterfeit letter can be taught as it were true or even debated it is given credibility. Similar “letters” exist making claims that the Holocaust never occurred, that slavery was actually preferred by most blacks and was only changed by liberals and other extremist views. We begin to head down a slippery slope if this is the case. Any powerful document becomes scripture to its believers, true or not. H. Lewis Smith referred to the fact that blacks were broken both physically and mentally. This is very true and should be taught as it happened and with historical accuracy and integrity. Minority students in urban, lower income demographics suffer from extreme lack of motivation and a feeling that they are a marginalized part of society. As a result, this lack of motivation translates into extremely low achievement, low test scores, and hostility towards authority. This, I firmly believe, is a result of a magnified teaching of the challenges that have and still do exist for African Americans. There is no doubt that there is still a long way to go for America to truly have equality, but inequality is negated if basic skills do not exist. After all if after graduation a student can’t read effectively, write properly, or even understand how the nation works, racism becomes a non-issue because they won’t be able to compete in college or get the best jobs. Racism never even has to come in to play at this point. Sadly, these failures will then be attributed to racism by the student taught to expect it at every rejection. Sorry for the long response, I only want to clarify. My intentions are of course only the best and hope that I message is received as one of compassion fueled by realism as I have intended it to be.