DEATH OF THE WILLIE LYNCH SPEECH (part 1)

DEATH  OF  THE WILLIE  LYNCH  SPEECH (Part I)

By Prof. Manu Ampim

Since 1995 there has been much attention given to a speech claimed to be delivered by a "William Lynch" in 1712.  This speech has been promoted widely throughout African American and Black British circles.  It is re-printed on numerous websites, discussed in chat rooms, forwarded as a "did you know" email to friends and family members, assigned as required readings in college and high school courses, promoted at conferences, and there are several books published with the title of "Willie Lynch."[1]  In addition, new terminology called the "Willie Lynch Syndrome" has been devised to explain the psychological problems and the disunity among Black people. 

 

Further, it is naively assumed by a large number of Willie Lynch believers that this single and isolated speech, allegedly given almost 300 years ago, completely explains the internal problems and divisions within the African American community.  They assume that the "Willie Lynch Syndrome" explains Black disunity and the psychological trauma of slavery. While some have questioned and even dismissed this speech from the outset, it is fair to say that most African Americans who are aware of the speech have not questioned its authenticity, and assume it to be a legitimate and very crucial historical document which explains what has happened to African Americans.

 

However, when we examine the details of the "Willie Lynch Speech" and its assumed influence, then it becomes clear that the belief in its authenticity and widespread adoption during the slavery era is nothing more than a modern myth.  In this brief examination, I will show that the only known "William Lynch" was born three decades after the alleged speech, that the only known "William Lynch" did not own a plantation in the West Indies, that the "speech" was not mentioned by anyone in the 18^th or 19^th centuries, and that the "speech" itself clearly indicates that it was composed in the late 20^th century. 

                      

SILENCE ON  LYNCH  SPEECH

The "Willie Lynch Speech" is not mentioned by any 18^th or 19^th century slave-masters or anti-slavery activists.  There is a large body of written materials from the slavery era, yet there is not one reference to a William Lynch speech given in 1712. This is very curious because both free and enslaved African Americans  wrote and spoke about the tactics and practices of white slave-masters.  Frederick Douglass, Nat Turner, Olaudah Equino, David Walker, Maria Stewart, Martin Delaney, Henry Highland Garnet, Richard Allen, Absolom Jones , Frances Harper, William Wells Brown, and Robert Purvis were African Americans who initiated various efforts to rise up against the slave system, yet none cited the alleged Lynch speech.  Also, there is not a single reference to the Lynch speech by any white abolitionists, including John Brown, William Lloyd Garrison, and Wendell Phillips.  Similarly, there has been no evidence found of slave-masters or pro-slavery advocates referring to (not to mention utilizing) the specific divide and rule information given in the Lynch speech.  

Likewise, none of the most credible historians on the enslavement of African Americans have ever mentioned the Lynch speech in any of their writings.  A reference to the Lynch speech and its alleged divide and rule tactics are completely missing in the works of Benjamin Quarles, John Hope Franklin, John Henrik Clarke, William E.B. Du Bois, Herbert Aptheker, Kenneth Stampp, John Blassingame, Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Darlene Clark-Hine, and Lerone Bennett. These authors have studied the details and dynamics of Black social life and relations during slavery, as well as the "machinery of control" by the slave-masters, yet none made a single reference to a Lynch speech. 

Since the Willie Lynch speech was not mentioned by any slave-masters, pro-slavery advocates, abolitionists, or historians studying the slavery era, the question of course is when did it appear?  

 

FIRST REFERENCE TO LYNCH  SPEECH

The first reference to the Willie Lynch speech was in a late 1993 on-line listing of sources, posted by Anne Taylor, who was then the reference librarian at the University of Missouri at St. Louis (UMSL).[2]  She posted ten sources to the UMSL library database and the Lynch speech was the last item in the listing.  Taylor in her 1995 email exchanges with the late Dr. William Piersen (Professor of History, Fisk University) and others interested in the origin of the Lynch speech indicated that she keep the source from where she received the  speech anonymous upon request, because he was unable to establish the authenticity of the document.  On October 31, 1995, Taylor wrote:

 

"Enough butt-covering, now it's time to talk about where I got it.  The publisher who gave me this [speech] wanted to remain anonymous...because he couldn't trace it, either, and until now I've honored his wishes.  It was printed in a local, widely-distributed, free publication called The St. Louis Black Pages, 9^th anniversary edition, 1994*, page 8."

 

[* Taylor notes: "At risk of talking down to you, it's not unusual for printed materials to be 'post-dated' - the 1994 edition came out in 1993].[3]

 

The Lynch speech was distributed in the Black community in 1993 and 1994, and in fact I came across it during this time period, but as an historian trained in Africana Studies and primary research I never took it serious.  I simply read it and put it in a file somewhere.

  However, the Lynch speech was popularized at the Million Man March (held in Washington , DC ) on October 16, 1995, when it was referred to by Min. Louis Farrakhan.  He stated:

 

We, as a people who have been fractured, divided and destroyed because of our division, now must move toward a perfect union.  Let's look at a speech, delivered by a white slave holder on the banks of the James River in 1712...  Listen to what he said.  He said, 'In my bag, I have a foolproof method of controlling Black slaves.  I guarantee everyone of you, if installed correctly, it will control the slaves for at least 300 years'...So spoke Willie Lynch 283 years ago."  

 

The 1995 Million Man March was broadcast live on C-Span television and thus millions of people throughout the U.S. and the world heard about the alleged Willie Lynch speech for the first time.  Now, ten years later, the speech has become extremely popular, although many historians and critical thinkers questioned this strange and unique document from the outset.

 

Full Text of the alleged Willie Lynch Speech, 1712:

"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 [sic]. 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."

 

WHO  WAS  WILLIE  LYNCH ?

The only known "William Lynch" who could have authorized a 1712 speech in Virginia was born 30 years after the alleged speech was given.  The only known "William Lynch" lived from 1742-1820 and was from Pittsylvania , Virginia . It is obvious that "William Lynch" could not have authored a document 30 years before he was born!  This "William Lynch" never owned a plantation in the West Indies, and he did not own a slave plantation in Virginia . 

DIVIDE & RULE 

The Lynch speech lists a number of divide and rule tactics that were not important concerns to slaveholders in the early 1700s, and they certainly were not adopted.  The anonymous writer of the Lynch speech states, "I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves: and I take these differences and make them bigger."  Here is the list provided in the Lynch speech: age, color, intelligence, fine hair vs. coarse hair, tall vs. short, male vs. female.

However, none of these "tactics" were concerns to slaveholders in the early 1700s in the West Indies or colonial America .  No credible historian has indicated that any of the items on the Lynch list were a part of a divide and rule strategy in the early 18^th century.  These are current 20^th century divisions and concerns.   Here are the Lynch speech tactics versus the real divide and rule tactics that were actually used in the early 18^th century:

                         

DIVIDE  &  RULE  TACTICS

 

   LYNCH  SPEECH vs HISTORICAL  FACTS

 

Age                                         Ethnic origin & language

Color (light vs. dark skin)         African born vs. American born

Intelligence                                Occupation (house vs. field slave)

Fine hair vs. coarse hair            Reward system for "good"              behavior

Tall vs. short                                          Class status

Male vs. female                    Outlawed social gatherings

 

It is certain that "Willie Lynch" did not use his divide and rule tactics on his "modest plantation in the West Indies ."

20^th CENTURY  TERMS IN LYNCH  SPEECH

There are a number of terms in the alleged 1712 Lynch speech that are undoubtedly anachronisms (i.e. words that are out of their proper historical time period).  Here are a few of the words in the speech that were not used until the 20^th century:

 

Lynch speech: "In my bag here, I have a fool proof method for controlling your Black slaves."

 

Anachronisms: "Fool proof" and "Black" with an upper-case "B" to refer to people of African descent are of 20^th century origin.  Capitalizing "Black" did not become a standard from of writing until the late 1960s.

 

Lynch speech: "The Black slave after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self re-fueling and self generating for hundreds of years."

 

Anachronism:  "Re-fueling" is a 20^th century term which refers to transportation.

 

OTHER  STRANGE  FEATURES

• William Lynch is invited from the " West Indies " (with no specific country indicated) to give only a short eight-paragraph speech.  The cost of such a trip would have been considerable, and for the invited speaker to give only general remarks would have been highly unlikely.

 

• Lynch never thanked the specific host of his speech, he only thanked "the gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia, for bringing me here."  Here, he is rude and shows a lack of etiquette.  Also, no specific location for the speech was stated, only that he was speaking "on the bank [sic] of the James River ."

 

• Lynch claims that on his journey to give the speech he saw "a dead slave hanging from a tree."  This is highly unlikely because lynching African Americans from trees did not become common until the late 19^th century.

 

• Lynch claims that his method of control will work for "at least 300 hundred years [sic]."   First, it has gone unnoticed that the modern writer of the "speech" wrote three hundred twice ("300 hundred years"), which makes no grammatical sense.  It should be "300 years" or "three hundred years."  Second, the arbitrary choice of 300 years is interesting because it happens to conveniently bring us to the present time.

 

• Lynch claims that his method of control "will work throughout the South."  This statement clearly shows the modern writer's historical ignorance.  In 1712, there was no region in the current-day U.S. identified as the "South." The geographical region of the "South" did not become distinct until a century after the alleged speech.  Before the American Revolutionary War vs. Britain (1775-1783) the 13 original U.S. colonies were all slave-holding regions, and most of these colonies were in what later became the North, not the "South."  In fact, the region with the second largest slave population during the time of the alleged William Lynch speech was the northern city of  New York , where there were a significant number of slave revolts including the rebellion in 1712.

 

• Lynch fails to give "an outline of action" for control as he promised in his speech.  He only gives a "simple little list of differences" among "Black slaves."

 

• Lynch lists his differences by alphabetical order, he states: "On top of my list is 'Age', but it is there only because it starts with an 'A'. "  Yet, after the first two differences ("age" and "color"), Lynch's list is anything but alphabetical.

 

• Lynch spells "color" in the American form instead of the British form ("colour").  We are led to believe that Lynch was a British slave-owner in the " West Indies ," yet he does not write in British style.

 

• Lastly, the name Willie Lynch is interesting, as it may be a simple play on words: "Will Lynch," or "Will he Lynch."  This may be a modern psychological game being played on unsuspecting believers?

 

WHO WROTE THE LYNCH SPEECH?

It is clear that the "Willie Lynch Speech" is a late 20^th century invention because of the numerous reasons outlined in this essay.  I would advance that the likely candidate for such a superficial speech is an African American male in the 20s-30s age range, who probably minored in Black Studies in college. He had a limited knowledge of 18^th century America , but unfortunately he fooled many uncritical Black people. 

 

Some people argue that it doesn't matter if the speech is fact or fiction, because white people did use tactics to divide us.  Of course tactics were used but what advocates of this argument don't understand is that African people will not solve our problems and address the real issues confronting us by adopting half-baked urban myths.  If there are people who know that the Lynch speech is fictional, yet continue to promote it in order to "wake us up," then we should be very suspicious of these people, who lack integrity and will openly violate trust and willingly lie to our community. 

 

Even if the Willie Lynch mythology were true, the speech is focused on what white slaveholders were doing, and there is no plan, program, or any agenda items for Black people to implement.  It is ludicrous to give god-like powers to one white man who allegedly gave a single speech almost 300 years ago, and claim that this is the main reason why Black people have problems among ourselves today!  Unfortunately, too often Black people would rather believe a simple and convenient myth, rather than spend the time studying and understanding a situation.  Too many of our people want a one-page, simplified Ripley's Believe It or Not explanation of "what happened."

WILLIE  LYNCH  DISTRACTION

While we are distracted by the Willie Lynch urban mythology, the real issues go ignored.  There are a number of authentic first-hand written accounts by enslaved Africans, who wrote specifically about the slave conditions and the slavemasters' system of control.  For example, writers such as Olaudah Equiano, Mahommah Baquaqua, and Frederick Douglass wrote penetrating accounts about the tactics of slave control. 

Frederick Douglass, for instance, wrote in his autobiography, Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, that one of the most diabolical tactics of the American slaveholders was to force the slave workers during their six days off for the Christmas holiday to drink themselves into a drunken stupor and forget about the pain of slavery. Douglass wrote, "It was deemed a disgrace not to get drunk at Christmas; and he was regarded as lazy indeed, who had not provided himself with the necessary means, during the year, to get whiskey enough to last him through Christmas.  From what I know of the effects of these holidays upon the slave, I believe them to be the most effective means in the hands of the slaveholder in keeping down the spirit of insurrection.  Were the slaveholders at once to abandon this practice, I have not the slightest doubt it would lead to an immediate insurrection among the slaves.... The holidays are part and parcel of the gross fraud, wrong, and inhumanity of slavery."[4]

Also, many 19th century Black writers discussed the specific tactics of the white slave-owners and how they used Christianity to teach the enslaved Africans how to be docile and accept their slave status.  The problem with African American and Black British revelry during the Christmas holidays and the blind acceptance of the master's version of Christianity are no doubt major issues among Black people today.  It is certain that both of these problems were initiated and perpetuated during slavery, and they require our immediate attention.          

Many people who embrace the Willie Lynch myth have not studied the period of slavery, and have not read the major works or first-hand documents on this issue of African American slavery.  Further, as indicated above, the Lynch hoax is so widespread that this fictional speech is amazingly used as required reading by some college instructors.  While we are being misled by this fantasy, the real historical data is being ignored. For example, Kenneth Stampp in his important work on slavery in the American South, The Peculiar Institution (1956), uses the historical records to outline the 5 rules for making a slave:

 

1. Maintain strict discipline.
2. Instill belief of personal inferiority.
3. Develop awe of master's power ( instill fear).
4. Accept master's standards of "good conduct."
5. Develop a habit of perfect dependence.[5] 
 

Primary (first-hand) research is the most effective weapon against the distortion of African history and culture.  Primary research training is the best defense against urban legends and modern myths.  It is now time for critical thinkers to bury the decade-old mythology of "William Lynch."
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To hell with Willie Lynch, why everybody concentrate on Willie Lynch instead of the content in the letter known as Willie Lynch.

How Black people are described in the way we behave in the world and toward each other and the reason why, it fit Black people without a doubt, so why not concentrate on changing the spirit described to be Black people in the letter, instead of wasting time trying to prove the writer whose handle is Willie Lynch that has presented a vivid account of Black people spirit of the Time during and after Chattel Slavery, is no more than a phantom.

In other word, we Black people act exactly as the Willie Lynch describe us to be and we can accept it or lie about it, the truth of our behavior reveal such a Willie Lynch description of black people, yesterday and today.

Hoteph

Osiris

Chief Elder

... Part 2 Tomorrow

The Conscious Rasta 08 2012

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here WE'VE HEADED TO NEW HORIZONS   Greetings!    Many of you have been inquiring as to what to expect after out closing out 9 1/2 years of Internet webcast on LIBRadio and LIBtv. Well the exciting news is we're ready to launch some of these new endeavors. I hope you are as excited as am! ECONOMIC FAULTLINE: End of the Mercantile Age DVD Lecture Workshop Keidi Awadu and Keith Swanson, from LIBRadio's Falcon Forum, have put together a powerful discussion of the state of global economics, the impact of structural adjustment and austerity on the average household, major shifts that is taking place in the world and the most practical steps we can take to make sure we do not get crushed by these rapid changes. This 2-hour discussion is way ahead of what most people will currently understand about the global economics outlook. Watch and discuss this DVD with your empowerment circle. DVD $15 (LIBDVD189)  Click here to add this DVD to cart THE NEW CONSCIOUS RASTA REPORT This subscription is LOADED with book releases, white papers, research articles and tips on improving one's healthy lifestyle, all from Keidi, aka The Conscious Rasta. Membership includes access to exclusive broadcasts, free teleconference calls, discounts on our catalog items and notification of events which will be of particular importance to our members.   To get full access to these benefits you need to be a subscribing member. For new members the first month is half off the $10 subscription. Click here to subscribe to the new Conscious Rasta Report OFF-THE-WEIGHT PROGRAM - Learn how Venus Williams reset her biological clock with raw food WOW! Always a symbol of beauty, athleticism and dedication, Venus Williams has now rejuvenated her body with her new raw food nutritional lifestyle. I have similarly restored my own physique to my mid-20's with over 2 years of Living Superfood nutrition. Check out Venus's transforming journey at the following link and then imagine just what your own body transformation could turn into with our own OFF-THE-WEIGHT 30-Day Program (daily updates free with your Conscious Rasta Report 2012 monthly subscription). http://www.veglov.com/2012/01/venus-williams-switch-to-raw-vegan.html   Or if you prefer, you can get today's powerful Lesson 1 (of 30) for just $3, available as an instant download from our PayLoadz archives. KINDLE USERS - You can now get access to the best selling titles from the Conscious Rasta Report series by going to Amazon.com.  We've got some great titles at great prices including: LIVING SUPERFOOD RECIPES, THE ROAD TO POWER and other titles.   Sincerely,   Keidi Awadu  Black Star Media Group              323-902-2919       Visit Living In Black at: http://livinginblack.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network   To control which emails you receive on Living In Black, click here

Putting yourself on the path to healthy loss - Chris Otto

This post includes information from outside of the African diaspora intended to be used for health improvement.

Putting yourself on the path to healthy loss - Chris Otto

http://funfamilyfreedom.blogspot.com/2012/07/putting-yourself-on-path-to-healthy.html

Dear FREEdom Seeker,

Did you know that most folks make a HUGE dieting mistake whenever they try and lose fat? In fact, this mistake is part of the reason most people have trouble losing fat in the first place. Today, you'll discover what this mistake is and how to correct it -- putting yourself on the path to healthy loss....... Guest post by Health Expert Chris Otto: Be Fit, Chris OttoBody RescYou Virginia Beach Health & Fitness Expert.

Your world is in your hands........
Avoid This Common Diet Mistake You hear it all the time ... "To eat healthy, you need to stay away from fat." This couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, if you want to lose weight, keep it off, and look great year-round, you've got to eat fat. The truth is your body NEEDS fat to survive (About 66% of your brain is made up of fat!). But there is a catch -- You can't just eat any kind of fat. You've got to eat more healthy fats. See, there are "good" fats and "bad" fats. Bad fats make you sick. Good fats heal your body, protect your heart, reduce inflammation and boost your metabolism. So what foods contain good fats? Mainly, it's any food that's rich in omega-3 fatty acids and oleic acid. Here are a few you can start putting into your diet today:

Almonds -- great to snack on and good source of omega 3. Avocados -- high in heart-healthy oleic acid. Egg yolks -- despite what you've heard, eggs (including the yolk) are good for you! They're rich in omega-3's, contain the full spectrum of amino acids, and have plenty of vitamins your body needs. Grass-fed beef - Beef that's been grass-fed is very high on omega 3 fats, which are incredibly good for you. Fish -- make sure it's wild-caught, to avoid mercury contamination, among other things. Wild-caught salmon is a great choice. Walnuts -- another great choice for snacking. In addition to these, use healthy oils as salad dressings whenever possible. Good choices include extra virgin olive oil and Sacha Inchi oil. So there you go. You have permission to eat more fat. But make sure it's the good stuff. And as with everything, don't over do it. Even though good fats are healthy, they're still high in calories. Aim for 50 - 80 grams of good fat per day, depending on your calorie requirements.

Quote Corner "Let food be your medicine..." - Hippocrates

Eat Yourself Thin: Beef Bulgogi (Serves Four) 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced 5 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 2 packets of stevia 1/4 cup chopped green onion 2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1. Place the beef in a shallow dish. Combine soy sauce, sugar, green onion, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Pour over beef. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. 2. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil the grate. 3. Quickly grill beef on hot grill until slightly charred and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Prep: 10mins Cook: 5mins Ready: 1hr 15mins Amount Per Serving - Calories: 232 / Total Fat: 13.2g / Cholesterol: 27mg / Sodium: 957mg / Total Carbs: 12.4g / Dietary Fiber: 1g / Protein 16.2g

Do you have any other health info' related to this post ? Please share your comment by visiting:
http://funfamilyfreedom.blogspot.com/2012/07/putting-yourself-on-path-to-healthy.html.

This post includes information from outside of the African diaspora intended to be used for health improvement.
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Let's be improved ! Seko Varner is the lead recruiter for Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agent. This team began in 2010 and is coached by WFG's Team Unstoppable. Seko also has ownership in and works with Positive Vibes DJs and the event marketing service Happily Ever After.Be. Seko has a background in counseling and special education. He was employed for 14 years with Portsmouth City Public Schools (Virginia) as a counselor and as a teacher. Seko has also worked as an Intensive In-Home Counselor for over 10 years and has years of experience in commercial and residential real estate. In addition to his business ventures Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television media. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be for more details.

JOHN HENRIK CLARKE TRIBUTE 7/29/2012 IN BROOKLYN

TRIBUTE TO JOHN HENRIK CLARKE

Sunday, July 29, 2012

3:30pm until 6:30pm in EDT

On Sunday July 29th at 3:30 PM , B.E.P.A.A.,The Board For the Education of People of African Ancestry will host its 14th Annual Tribute to Dr. John Henrik Clarke. "The Keynote Address "Our African Compass in 2012" will be delivered by African Cultural Scientist, Runoko Rashidi. The title is a reference to Dr. Clarkes often quoted remark that "History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of the day. It is also a compass that people use to find themselves on the map of human geography."

Rashidi will be joined by Master Educator Adelaide Sanford and Political Warrior NYC Councilman Charles Barron and Political Prisoner/ POW activist Dequi Kioni Sadiki. Sadiki with Mani Gilyard co-chairs the The Malcolm X Commemoration Committee. Veteran Broadcaster Bernard White will MC the program. The Event will be held at Nazarene Congregational Church UCC pastored by Reverend Conrad Tillard and located at 506 McDonough St. Brooklyn New York 11233.

Admission is Free.

For further information call 347-907-0629

Nazarene Congregational Church
506 MacDonough Street, Brooklyn, New York 11233

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nazarene-Congregational-1968-1976/318858021460628

ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

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Open Letter to Our Community: Save Sistas Place by Bob Law

An abbreviated version of Bob Law's letter in the  

NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS July19- July 25, 2012

Open Letter To Our Community:Save Sistas' Place

by Bob Law
niapean@yahoo.com

 

It is called Sistas' Place, but in realty, it has always been our place. For 17 years, Sistas' Place has remained one of the most courageous, significant, independent, stand-alone cultural institutions serving the Black Community.

This is one cultural and political institution that truly belongs to us, and as such we will sustain it. Sistas' Place has no corporate sponsors, wealthy guardian angels, but Sistas' Place has you and I. And the good news is that 's enough.

 

To address their critical financial challenge, we are launching a Sistas' Place

membership drive . We need 400 people in the next 20 days to become sustaining members of Sistas' Place by buying a $30 membership. Please

become a sustaining member by sending your membership fee of $30 to

Sistas' Place, 456 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn 11216. Make checks, money orders payable to the Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hammer Woman's Coalition

 

I Respect You

Bob Law

The Renaissance Men for Sistas' Place
Sistasplace <niapean@yahoo.com>;

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Rich is Cool - Herman Cain

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Please Donate Today .... July 23, 2012

Rich is Cool By Herman Cain If the polls are any indication, it hasn't worked, but the Obama campaign spent big money over the past month attacking Mitt Romney for what they apparently believe is the worst sin imaginable: He is rich. And as we know now (not that it was a big surprise), President Obama's disdain for those who have earned substantial wealth runs deep. He doesn't like you having all that money (unless you contribute it to his campaign), and he really doesn't like you taking credit for having earned it. That's why he said the following: "Look, if you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You didn't get there on your own. I'm always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something — there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there. "If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business — you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet." As far as Obama is concerned, anyone who is successful got that way because of the system, by which he means the government. Democrats sometimes refer to the rich as "the winners in life's lottery," which is to say they merely got lucky in a game of chance – and that's why they need to fork over so much of their wealth in taxes, so Democrats can "spread the wealth around" to all those other smart, hardworking people, who just didn't happen to win life's lottery. What a load of crap. To listen to these people, you'd think being rich was the worst thing anyone could do. Well I've got news for them: Being rich is cool. Not only that, but when someone has become rich, others should endeavor to learn as much as they can about how he or she did it, instead of resenting it and dismissing it as merely lucking out because of all the help the government provided. The best example I can give you is my dad. He started his adult life in the 1940 with nothing but the clothes on his back. At one point he worked three jobs at the same time. I suppose wealth is relative to everyone's situation, but my dad had a goal of getting rich as he defined it – and he achieved his goal. Did the government deserve any credit for his success? When he walked off that small dirt farm in Tennessee, the road wasn't even paved. I'm not saying there were no government functions that worked well and benefited him. Of course there were. But they were the same ones that benefited everybody else. My dad achieved his particular goals because of his particular dedication, his good plan and his hard work. And yes, he was perfectly within his rights to be proud of himself for being so smart and working so hard. And let's be honest: It was true then, and it's even truer today, that when you get rich you largely do it in spite of the government – its rules, its regulations, its confiscatory tax policies . . . and now the tendency of certain leaders to assail you for your success. The coolest thing about rich people is that, in order to get rich, you have to make your skill and your capital work for other people. Instead of ripping Bain Capital for its success, the Obama Administration and the media should study what Bain did and how it did it. Bain created thousands of jobs – many more on a net basis than it eliminated via strategic layoffs – because it made smart business decisions and built successful enterprises. I'll take that any day over what Obama does, which is to flush money down the toilet in the form of stimulus that doesn't stimulate, "green energy" investments that lead straight to bankruptcy and tax and regulatory policies that stifle capital formation and entrepreneurial innovation. Mitt Romney got rich because he is smart and he works hard. That makes him pretty darn cool in my book. Those of you who resent the rich, get over it and study how they did it. Along the way, you'll discover that the rich not only pay most of the taxes, but in all likelihood they pay your paycheck too. And you'd better study them while you can, because there's no telling how many of them will be left once Obama gets finished with them. 9-9-9 An Army of Davids offers fresh and unique solutions to our current economic crisis. It goes beyond the first steps—un-electing President Obama and repealing his dangerous laws and executive  orders—and focuses on fundamental reforms that will make our economy soar as it did in the 80s and 90s. 9-9-9 An Army of Davids shows why the country needs Herman Cain's signature 9-9-9 tax plan and the elimination of a tax code that holds us back, robs us of our initiative, discourages jobs, and swamps our economy with imports.

Momentum Trumps Talent... Mickey Nguyen

Momentum Trumps Talent... Mickey Nguyen

I'm a bit spoiled....
I'm trained by the best....
I'm getting to truly value the gifts that I've been given access to......

During a workshop I attended recently a giant in the financial services business, Mickey Nguyen, stated "Momentum trumps talent." Mickey later explained in his message that a professional with talent who doesn't develop any momentum will always be behind the professional with momentum. He then described how remaining in momentum will build skills which will appear as talent to the outside world. While I listened carefully to the remainder of the message. and engaged in the taking of "copious notes" I couldn't shake the importance of the lesson in those three words. Even as he focused on the magnitude of "building habits that serve you" I couldn't help but relate the "building of habits" to the development of momentum.

As a financial service provider I am reminded daily about the strength in Momentum. As I assist clients in investing in themselves by saving very meager amounts of money and placing those funds into a financial product that has the momentum to grow their money into something substantial. My DJ partner and fitness coach, Walter "DJ Vibe" Varner, has recently been on my back since I lost my fitness-regiment momentum. Getting that momentum back has proved difficult and he recently advised me to research the martial art Krav Maga as it's study may provide me with the sparring and physical fitness that I need. I can still kick a fools butt.... but, I can't kick as many butts as I used to.

Whatever your field of endevaor seek to build momentum. With momentum we will defeat White-Supremacy and African-Inferiority Complex.

Gotta' get this momentum going! Praises-up for Mickey, Praises-up for Walter. May the momentum blessing come down ! As I've heard my firms senior partner John Epting state on numerous occasions..."Pray like it's up to the Almighty; Work like it's up to you." Ashee, Ashee, Ashee.

Let's be improved ! What are your thoughts on Momentum ? What do you think about Mickey's message ? Holla' at cha' boy by leaving a comment !

Click here to leave a comment.

Seko "DJ Seko" B. Varner
www.HappilyEverAfter.Be



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African Refugee to compete under Olympic flag

Refugee without a country to compete under Olympic flag in London

By Armando Botello II | Fourth-Place Medal – 20 hours ago

Associated Press

Yesterday, Guor Marial was a gifted athlete. Today, Marial is an Olympian with less than a week to prepare for his just confirmed trip to London.

The South-Sudanese refugee qualified for the Olympics last October after meeting the Olympic "A" standard with a run of 2 hours, 14 minutes and 32 seconds at the 2011 Twin Cities Marathon. All that was missing after that display of talent was a country to represent in the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) requires athletes to be full citizens of the countries they represent. Though Marial has lived in the U.S. for 11 years, he has yet to gain full citizenship and his status as a permanent resident isn't enough to allow him to wear red, white and blue at the games.

"Technically, I was supposed to be a citizen last June, because I did everything, I did my citizen test, I did my interview, I did my fingerprints, and everything was all set. All I needed to do was to go to their office and get my passport and do the ceremony. That was in June 2011, but there has been a security background check...and that's what took everything longer," Marial said this week in an interview with Runner's World.

 

Marial was born in what is now the Republic of South Sudan, a newly independent country without a National Olympic Committee, an IOC requirement for nations to be able to compete in the games.

With no country to represent, Marial began petitioning the IOC to run as an independent participant under the Olympic flag.

"It would be great for the people of South Sudan for me to run as an independent," Marial told the New York Times last week. "And the U.S. because that's where I discovered running. It would be great for the whole world."

 

Many others saw his plight the same way.

A change.org petition titled "Allow South Sudanese runner Guor Marial to compete in the Olympics Marathon" was set up and received nearly 3,500 signatures. And in a letter to IOC President Jacques Rogge requesting that Marial be allowed to compete in the London Games as an independent participant, Refugee International President Michel Gabaudan wrote, "At its 123rd session in July of last year, the IOC granted independent status to athletes from the Netherlands Antilles after its National Olympic Committee was dissolved, in order to "preserve as much as possible the interests of the athletes." Qualified athletes from South Sudan, including Mr. Marial, deserve equal treatment, and the IOC should act to grant him an Olympic berth without delay."

Early this morning, Marial found out the IOC will allow him to run in the Olympic marathon as an independent participant under the Olympic flag.

"The voice of South Sudan has been heard," Marial told The Associated Press. "The South Sudan has finally got a spot in the world community. Even though I will not carry their flag in this Olympic Games, the country itself is there.

"The dream has come true. The hope of South Sudan is alive."

Let’s Declare A Holiday from MEN ! - Linda Goss

Ladies, Let's Declare A Holiday from MEN!

Posted on July 12, 2012

lindagoss

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Let me begin with this disclaimer.  This Post is not for those of you who are/have been happily married/involved for 5/10/ 15/20 or more years. Hopefully, you have found the person of your dreams who makes your toes tingle, your palms sweat, and your bank account jingle. But more importantly, hopefully, you are equally yoked. You may read on with the assurance that this is not directed at you.

Nor, is this one of those man-hating maryjblige generated discussions (no offense mary, I have bought many of your cds and attended One of your concerts) where I spend 800 plus precious words engaging in male bashing (not a sport I am noted for…tennis is my game).

However, some events of the past few weeks have completely perplexed and disturbed me.  And naturally, the writer in me needs to write about it.  Perhaps I can act as the narrator did in those well known Shakespearean tales and provide you with the words/actions and you the audience can offer me some words of wisdom (via your comments) so that this state of perplexion (not a real word) will no longer cloud my horizon.

In all fairness, I must admit there was a period about 4 years ago when I absented myself from the day to day hubbub as a result of an ill-timed physical illness for well nigh a period of 8 mos.  Perhaps, it was during that time that I missed the Bulletin/latebreakingnews/Memorandum/Email/Textmsg/Tweet that went out stating:  It is okay for men to use women as receptacles for their garbage.  Reader, there is another word I could substitute for garbage …shorter…more direct…begins with an "s", but I have taken the Blogger's oath that this will be a PG rated post..so I leave the semantics to you.

What is she talking about…what bulletin..everybody knows that women rule the world..hasn't she heard Beyonce's latest cd..Every since women's lib, y'all been wearing the pants..talking 'bout you can buy the bacon and come home and fry it up in a pan..I mean my daddy told me a long time ago..the woman chooses and the man…..

It all started when I decided to reread Zora Neale Hurston…Their Eyes Were Watching God while enjoying a blistering 100 degree afternoon at the beach.  The black woman is de mule uh de world…Janie's grandmother laments…but Ah been prayin" fuh it tuh be different wid you. This line is by far one of the most often quoted lines from this well known literary work. It captures not only the frustration of Nanny, but echoes the frustration many women (all colors) have felt throughout the years (pre and post bra-burning). The irony of this is Their Eyes is a love story replete with all the romanticism, shared longing, sexual tension/quest for identity/self discovery/journey/cougar vs. young man/old man vs. young woman themes one could hope to find in a 1937 novel written by an anthropologist (one of her many titles).

What? What does this have to do with the receptacle/garbage thing? Patience reader..I'm getting there.

In the novel, Nanny arranges a marriage for Janie to the well-to-do Logan Killicks and his oft mentioned sixty acres. Janie soon realizes that she does not love the older Mr. Killicks with his long/flat head and dat pone uh fat back uh his neck…with the too big belly and his toe nails that look lak mule foots. She wants things sweet wid her marriage lak when you sit under a pear tree and think.  Alas, Mr. Killicks never mentions nothing pretty.

Sherley Anne Williams opines in her Forward that Zora was unable to satisfactorily define herself in a continuing relationship with a man (did Zora tell her that?). And Janie's romantic vision and its ultimate fulfillment provided the plot of the novel. But in their desire and eventual insistence that their men accord them treatment due equals, they are one. On this, Ms. Williams, I can agree. Hence my state of confusion when I found myself the object of unequal treatment by a fellow human (who happened to be a man).

In my quest to understand the treatment that I received at the hands of this fellow human, I sought answers from a dear male friend….Why? Why am I being treated this way by someone I have offered my friendship/companionship/shoulder/to..especially after so many years.

It's all about selection my dear. The personae that we project to others must be the correct one if we are to expect to be treated fairly.

Hmm…I'm not sure that answered my question but perhaps he has something there.  I mean, after all, we teach people how to treat us. I think I heard Dr. Phil say that one time. I'm no angel, but I did learn the golden rule and how to play fair on the playground. By nature, I am a lover of all things human and non-human. I seek balance. I seek harmony. I seek peace. I seek understanding. I (on occasion) seek love. So what did I do to incur this type of treatment, I ask?

Maybe, he's just frustrated and immature…you know men don't mature as fast as we do..even if they're ten years older than us.

Maybe, he was always like that and just never showed you that side of him.

Maybe, he has issues with women and this is how he deals with.

Maybe, he's going through male menopause…you know they have it too.

Maybe some other women treated him bad..you said he was married before..maybe he still hasn't got over that…and on and on this supposition went as I conferred with various women in the 50-60something bracket.

You still haven't told us what happened.  All this talk about Zora neale and what your friends, said… blah, blah, blah..could you just get to the point.

As this is a PG rated post, I am not at liberty to repeat those words (from him) which sparked this state of confusion within me. However, prior to the utterance of those words (by him) there was some discussion about the latest ny times best seller shades of gray (which I have not read) and the fact that it is getting so much press (probably  because it is soft porn that can be found on the library shelves). That led to a discussion (by him) about the repressed nature of women. And I being a woman was included in those numbers. And that what I really needed to do was to unrepress (not a word) myself and commit some shades of gray acts with him. Which of course would lead me to a state of pure ecstacy, eyeball rolling pleasure, mind numbing, uncontrollable joy, and by the way, cure once and for all that darn insomnia!

How dare he?  I mean what makes him think just because he is a man, I want to be the object of his desire? We are friends.  I have always considered him a friend and Nothing more. We talk for hours on the phone. Sharing tidbits of our day, our interests, our likes, our dislikes, latest politics, local gossip. You  name it.. the friend thang. Usually reserved for female to female, but in his case (and several others like him) a male friend. Purely Platonic.

Girl, what's the problem? The man came on to you.  He's just being a man…that's what they do..you know most of them are bow wows…why are you so offended? At your age, you should be glad somebody is giving you some play.  Get over it.

No, Reader, I will not get over it.  I am offended. I am offended that someone I shared many hours conversing with has reduced me to an act. I am offended that someone I entrusted with my secrets/hopes/fears/dreams would reduce me to an act. I am offended that someone I thought viewed me as an equal/an intellectual sparring partner/ a fellow entrepreneur/creative thinker/spirited member of the world would reduce me to an act.

I am a woman, like Zora Neale, who insists that men accord me treatment due their equals.

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lindagoss

Musings/adventures of African Amer writer looking for Herstory

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