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Home Front: Culture Wars
Who Is Willie Lynch?
2005-08-23
New York Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel says many blacks' woes can be traced back to an 18th century Englishman, insisting, "In 1712, British slave owner Willie Lynch ... [came to] Virginia to teach his methods of keeping slaves under control ... Almost 300 years later, the techniques that he prescribed seem to have not only been successful in controlling slaves, but lasting as a means of weakening and destroying the black family."

Thing is, Willie Lynch never existed according to a history professor at Spelman College, an historically black school in Atlanta. Professor Jelani Cobb, quoted by the Washington Times, says Willie is an urban legend, which first "appeared" on the Internet a few years ago.

Posted by:Captain America

#10  This just in....a second source has surfaced to collaborate Congressman Charlie Rangel's speech about Willie Lynch. The source remains in secret behind a white sheet.
Posted by: Captain America   2005-08-23 14:36  

#9  It's true in a greater sense.
Posted by: John Efing Kerry   2005-08-23 13:18  

#8  Um... Fake but accurate.
Posted by: Dan Rather   2005-08-23 12:40  

#7  Since Willie Lynch's speech seems to have originated in the early 1990s from someone's imagination, there's no reason not to believe that the term "lynching" originated during the Revolutionary War. Which is probably more evidence that the supposed 1712 speech is a hoax and the name "Lynch" was chosen to further provoke the black community.
Posted by: GK   2005-08-23 12:17  

#6  I always thought the term originated during the Revolution and lynching was originally applied to Tories. "LYNCH, Charles, soldier, born in Virginia; died near Staunton, Campbell County, Virginia, about 1785. He was the colonel of a regiment of riflemen that behaved with gallantry at Guilford. The term "lynch law" is said to have been derived from his practice of executing without trial the members of a band of Tory marauders that infested the newly settled country. Another account derives the term from the summary methods taken by a planter named John Lynch to rid the region of outlaws and escaped slaves who took refuge in the Dismal Swamp. This may have been Colonel Charles's brother John, who founded the town of Lynchburg. Va., and who is said by some authorities to have been the original 'Judge Lynch': while others trace the phrase back to one Lynch who was sent to America to punish pirates about 1687, or to the mayor of Galway, Ireland, who in 1493 executed his own son for murder. A tradition of the Drake family of North Carolina ascribes the phrase to the precipitate hanging, to prevent a rescue, of a Tory named Major Beard on Lynch creek in Franklin county, North Carolina When it was found that the Tories were not in pursuit, the captors went through the forms of a court-martial, and hanged the lifeless body in execution of its decree.--His son, Charles, born in Virginia; died near Natchez, Mississippi, 16 February, 1853, was governor of Mississippi from 1835 till 1837."- Edited Appletons Encyclopedia, Copyright © 2001 VirtualologyTM
Posted by: imoyaro   2005-08-23 11:14  

#5  Since when does it have to be true?

WILL HE LYNCH teaching "his methods of keeping slaves under control"
Posted by: Captain America   2005-08-23 10:46  

#4  fake, but true in a sense, even if there are no facts to corroborate. Who are you to judge?
Posted by: Charlie Rangel   2005-08-23 09:37  

#3  Charlie is about 10 years behind Farrakhan. Louie told his audience of 1500 people at the 1995 Million Man March of the Willie Lynch speech.
Professor Jelani Cobb's assessment of the veracity of the Willie Lynch speech is here. There are many problems with this document — not the least of which is the fact that it is absolutely fake.


Posted by: GK   2005-08-23 09:00  

#2  Who is Charlie if not a usually bigotted, loud- mouthed and largely ignorant politician who never lets the truth get in the way of his ambition and agenda? This one is him at his best.
Posted by: MunkarKat   2005-08-23 08:41  

#1  Charlie Rangel is another one of those prime examples of why the Democrats cannot be trusted. He's David Duke in blackface.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2005-08-23 07:41  

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