The Reflector

Issue Number:21

Date: 12/23/1933

p. 02, c. 02-03

Dear Editor,

I picked up a Race weekly a short while ago and read an interesting article. The sum total of it was: "A closed season is provided for most birds and animals, in which no killing is allowed. There should be a closed season for lynching Negroes in order to insure posterity. Since lynching has become a National Sport, the government will have to do for Negroes what it has done for other game such as buffaloes. All Negroes should at least be put under the jurisdiction of state game wardens who will decide for their states just at what time during the year lynch-parties may be held. This will give prolific Negro women and stalwart Negro males time to replenish the stock which may then, after being nurtured and ripened, may be turned loose as prey for blood-thirsty lynchers."

This article though a bit exaggerated is truly representative. A man is no longer safe. The "Land of the free and the home of the brave" has become a sporting ground for marauders, who seemingly have chosen human beings as their prey. And the sad part of it is that we can do nothing about it. Governor Ritchie, in his attempt at upholding law and order will probably lose his position at the next election. I am weary of picking up papers and reading about mob violence.

Word was received here about three weeks ago that a white man was arrested charged with attempted rape on a young woman of our race, somewhere near your city or Albemarle county, and the case was dismissed. Oh well-we aren't supposed to be human anyway. If a car kills a Negro, it is "the poor devil, pity he didn't watch his step." If it kills a white man it is, "Oh the poor man, I know he suffered." Why am I angry? I don't know. I only feel terribly bad about the degeneration of American civilization, I guess, and I must make some one else feel bad.

Just now, I wish I could shout my horrors from the top of the world's highest building and let my voice be heard around the world! No, I don't want to talk over the radio as the mobsters, the majority of them, aren't intelligent enough to have such an animal as a radio in their homes-and they couldn't hear me anyway.

Brotherhood of man! Ugh! I'd rather exemplify the herd on the plains.

Mrs. Agnes Lawrence, Richmond, Va.