THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 16, 1994 TAG: 9408160313
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: MARC TIBBS
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
A column I wrote last week about a commemoration of the first landing of Africans in the U.S. generated two very divergent letters from readers.
One came from a Norfolk man who signed his name, but whom I won't identify for reasons that soon will appear obvious.
This man writes me often, and whenever I receive a letter from him I open the envelope carefully for fear that his venom might spill out onto my tie.
He writes of the African landing piece:
``Stop your whining about slavery! But as (Joseph) Goebbels said, `Tell the big lie long enough and soon folks will begin to believe it.'
``You should be thankful for slavery, otherwise, you'd probably still be back in Africa lining up for a U.N. handout.
``Still it's nice to see that some black folk are finally recognizing the event (slavery) and appreciate the fact that they are here in the social-welfare state where blacks in government supervisory positions alert `brothers and sisters' to vacancies before white folk even hear about them. Ah yes, the blatant discrimination.''
I don't often refer to letters in this column because I think letters in response to my opinions are more than adequately reflected in the editorial section of the paper. But this letter was in such contrast to another one I received, I felt it imperative that they both be published.
The second letter also came from a Norfolk man who asked that I not identify him. He didn't write the letter, but it came into his possession some 20 years ago, as he describes himself as a modern-day Fred Sanford - a collector of junk.
His letter is a little old and coming apart at the creases, but I'll try to share some portions of it. It was written to a Mr. Griggs. The year was 1841. The subject: slavery.
``Dear Sir, I noticed a letter written by you . . . published in the Congregational Observer giving your views on the subject of slavery. And as mine differed from yours in some respects, I thought I would take the liberty to communicate them.''
The letter went on to take issue with some of the abolitionist movements of the day. The writer maintained that while he was against slavery, he did not support some northern abolitionists whose aim, he said, was ``to get rid of the free blacks because they are troublesome.''
The writer also took to task some Yankee ministers who had not spoken out against slavery.
``We know that there are some ministers, even in New England, that are such moral monsters as to offer that slavery is not sin in all cases, and not only apologize but even justify it.
``You say that (slaveholders) have a legal right to their slaves. Have they a just right?
``We read in the Bible that God came down to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. And it is evident to my mind that he has now come down to deliver those, if I may use the expression, that are held in bondage infinitely more cruel.''
To repel the venom of the first letter, I offer the wisdom of the second. by CNB