The ‘Legacy’ of Willie Lynch

From the time that Blacks were brought to this country, the primary purpose was economic growth and development. As we were stolen away from our native countries, bits or our souls and essence was stolen as well. Our value was not that of a human, but we were valued less than animals. Our strength was realized as an asset, an asset that White men saw as a commodity to be owned and sold like currency. In this time of unrest, I have committed to relearn the history of my people. As I was reading “The Willie Lynch Letter: and The Making of a Slave” I had a revelation that had alluded me before. This book was a body work written in the 1800s that resonated with my spirit. Willie Lynch was the architect of the blue print that has been used to create the system of racism in the United States. This system has caused oppression and demise to Black people for centuries. Mr. Lynch realized and saw all of the good within us and knew the only way to control us was to destroy all of it. The most valuable asset of our men was their strong physical prowess, so Mr. Lynch realized that the mind and sold had to be subdued and ultimately destroyed in order for this to be a successful institution. Willie Lynch found a way to monetize these learning and sold this formula to slave owners all over the colonies that would eventually become the United States of America. Mr. Lynch even promised that if these owners followed his instruction exactly they were guaranteed to maintain control of their slaves for centuries. The formula he proposed was quite simple, beat the men (killing if necessary) in front of other men, women and children so that the men would submit to the will of their master. The destruction of the males self worth was used to demoralize and promote fear in all slaves. The exhibition of these savage acts destroyed the male psyche so that they would not fight, run or rebel. This process was likened to breaking in horses. When a wild horse was desired to be made into a domestic animal, the animal would have to have all natural instincts removed from it. The same was done for slaves, the history of their heritage and culture was stolen. Husbands were often separated from their wives and children to further destroy. Mothers were forced to raise children alone while the men worked the fields to turn a profit for their master. Does this sound familiar? The are so many Black woman raising children alone, because the fathers have been stolen by prison, drugs or death. Are you still not convinced that history is repeating itself? Let’s continue to another example. The more submissive the male slave was, the higher he was valued. He could be controlled and would not pose a threat. The owners made sure to provide the ‘necessities’, posed in the guise of help. Slaves were given the scraps of their masters’ tables, the rags they no longer wanted for clothes and slave quarters for shelter. The Jedi mind tricks played upon the slaves convinced the male slaves that they were unable to survive without their “Massa”. The foundation of how value was determined for Black people was based upon how much profit they could make for their owner. Applied to modern times this looks like this, many young Black men make their goals and aspirations centered around their athletic ability or entertainment abilities. Once these abilities are recognized by the powers that be, they are groomed to become money generators for huge franchises and corporations. Some of these young men, are passed through high school and college barely literate. But if they have the ability to make a profit, their education and ability to thrive without the help of the master does not matter. They have expensive carrots dangled before them to run harder and faster and to perform show after show. The contracts they sign often lock them into terrible conditions, which is why many end up broke and destitute before they are thirty years of age. These are examples of the Lynch formula hard at work, even today. The masters have moved from the big house to the boardroom. The ‘what’ may look different today, but the ‘how’ is exactly the same, take the mind and the body will follow. Today the majority of the NBA and NFL are Black men. There are very few team owners that look like the players, yet the players believe that they are free. There are some that will have good teams around them to prevent them for being enslaved, but there are far more that will be taken and used up until their value has been depleted. As time has gone on, the Lynch blueprint has been passed along like ancient folklore. But today we know the secret, it is up to us to break the cycle. We see that the auction block has been traded in for the drafts and combines. The cottonfields are now basketball courts and concert stages. The subtly of this new Lynch way should make every Black American sensitized to the methods and tactics being used to enslave us. Just because we are paid for it today, does not mean that we are free. We must be intentional in what we accept into our lives and the things that we will say yes to. We should now be thinking if this will positively impact my life, not just monetary gain. We have to be proud enough to say no when our best interests are not at heart. All money is not good money and if getting a check means compromising your morals and values, then you are no different than our ancestors as slaves. If they have your mind, your body will follow. Today we see woman on reality television fighting and disrespecting themselves and others all for two minutes of fame. Our choices and decisions should be based upon long term thinking instead of short term gratification. We must stop others from profiting from our greatness. It is time to steal back our heritage and culture that is filled with regal and noble men and women. It is time to continue to dismantle the system that Mr. Lynch brought to this nation. We have the ability to think for ourselves and must not get distracted or enamored by shiny objects. Recognize when others are attempting to play mind tricks with you. The concept of “free” must be modified. Being enslaved is not the historical definition of being shackled and chained, living on a plantation, being enslaved is when your belief of yourself and your people is limited and small. If you are convinced that if you don’t have athletic abilities or can rap a song that you will amount to nothing, you are enslaved. If you believe that you must rely on government benefits and be better off than working for what you want, you are enslaved. If your thoughts about yourself and the world can be controlled by the narrative of someone else, you are enslaved. Mental enslavement is far more dangerous than physical and further reaching. It is the mental enslavement that we see as evidence that the Lynch formula is alive and well.