A Need for Information in the "Iron House"

Some time ago we began getting mail from residents of our nation's "correctional" institutions, also known as the "Iron House". Since we have no office staff it has been difficult to keep up with the correspondence.

Why are we telling you this?

All the letters had several characteristics in common:

• They expressed a sincere desire for any information about Red-Black history and culture.
• None of the writers had Internet access, something many of us take for granted in this day and age.
• They are anxious to connect with others for whom Red-Black history & culture are important.
• They are extremely grateful for any response.

It is not at all surprising that issues of identity are important to those from whom freedom and other basic rights have been taken, and many of whom have been imprisoned unjustly. Self-identification is central to our work in this organization, after all, and the reason the Weyanoke Association exists. How much more important it must be to those identified mostly by a number by those around them.

What can you do?

You can help by:

• Writing a short note or a long letter about what you have learned in your search for your family's Red-Black past.
• Making a copy of anything relating to Red-Black issues, history or culture that you find interesting - a web page, a magazine or newspaper article, part of a book - and mailing it. Since neither you nor the recipients will be selling the information, it's "fair use".
• Letting them know we're thinking about them.

Worried?

If you are uncomfortable writing to someone you don't already know, here are a few suggestions.

• Use this return address:
  [Your Initials]
  c/o Weyanoke Association
  P.O. Box 121
  Charles City, VA 23030
  
  If you choose this option, let us know so we can forward any return mail.

Or...

• Don't include a return address.

Or...

• Send photocopies without a note or return address.

But please remember that we are trying to build a Red-Black community that reflects us all, and that welcomes others of us trying to learn as much as possible about our history and culture.

Who are they?

Here are the names so far. Others will be added as they come in.