Born enslaved in 1847, John Lynch fled from slavery to serve in the Civil War. Afterwards, he turned to politics and was elected to Mississippi’s House of Representatives at 22 years old.
At 25 he became Speaker of the House.
White politicians were furious.
As a Congressman Lynch’s time was split between passing bills, like the Civil Rights Act of 1875, and warning Congress that extreme white violence was approaching.
Many ignored him, but soon, they’d come to regret it.
Throughout 1875 hundreds of politicians, Black and white, and their supporters, were violently killed for their pro-Black initiatives. Finally, people began listening to Lynch. He was even re-elected.
But his Congressional experience was fraught with racism, even from white congressmen claiming to support him. Lynch endured, knowing Black voices were needed in Congress.
After his term ended, Lynch didn’t quit. He was bothered by blatant whitewashed depictions of Black people in historical texts. He knew our narratives would be lost if solely white writers documented history. He became a historical author, publishing until he died in 1939.
Lynch’s legacy reminds us that WE’RE in control of our narrative, not white supremacy.
Ask yourself, “What do I want to do within MY life?”
Chase your dreams and document them so our future generations know liberation is possible.