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Syphax
and Custis Case
Persons Interviewed by H.E.G.
1. Prof. Charles
S. Syphax and Mrs. Syphax, 315 T. St., City. They have summer
home on tract given by W.P.A. Custis to Maria Syphax. Original
tract, approximately 17 1/2 acres. They claim that the Lee
family have always been friendly toward the Syphax relatives.
Prof. Syphax remembers his grandmother, Maria S[yphax], but does
not recall having heard her mention her father, G.W.P.C. [George
Washington Parke Custis] He has heard his father (her son)
mention frequently the relationship. Prof. S[yphax] was at Hoard
for 46 years -- retired two years ago. Mrs. S[yphax] was the
third woman to graduate from Howard, and later was instructor
there.
They point out that the G.W.P.C. names persist. For example,
three grandsons of Maria S[yphax] are named respectively,
Washington, Parke Custis and Custis.
2. Parke Custis Syphax, 633
South Ode St., Arlington, Va. -- on the original gift tract. He
is the son of Ennis Syphax. The age widow of the latter is at
present very ill, with pneumonia. Parke Custis S[yphax] promised
to inquire of relatives too, and would give any possible further
information, Monday, fenruary 27, by telephone.
3. John E. Syphax, principal,
Birney School. Lives at 1338 Q St., City. he said two pictures
of maria S[yphax], in possession of Mrs. Ennis S[yphax] (at home
of Parke C. S[yphax -- see above), and of Mrs. Carrie Watson,
1320 Q Street., respectively, show marked resemblance to
pictures of George Washington Parke Custis. J.E.S. has heard his
father speak of the relationship.
4. I saw several professors at
Howard. They could give no definite information, but agreed that
the relationship is commonly believed in.
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Other Leads
1. Ennis Syphax, 1306 S. St.
-- son of Ennis, deceased, and brother of PC S[yphax] (see
above). I was told that Mildred Lee, daughter of Robert E. Lee
frequently admitted to him that the Syphaxes were her relatives.
2. Mrs, Carrie Watson, 1320 Q
Street -- has pictures of Maria S[yphax].
3. Mrs. Molly Brewer Honly --
teaches at Dunbar High. Her grandfather, William -- son of Maria
-- put through Congress the act confirming the ownership of the
gift tract.
4. Edward S[yphax] brother of
Prof. Charles S[yphax] teaches at Burrville School. Home at 159
Randolph Place. I have tried three times to see him.
5. Robert E. S[yphax] --
teacher in school, is grandson of Ennis, deceased.
6. Dr. Valaures B. Spatlin --
is or has been recently a professor at Howard.
7. Estrelda Spratlin Burrell (grandaughter
of S[patlin] above, instructor in physical education, Armstrong,
H.S.
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Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in
America
By Melissa V.
Harris-Perry
According to the
author, this society has historically exerted
considerable pressure on black females to fit into one
of a handful of stereotypes, primarily, the Mammy, the
Matriarch or the Jezebel. The selfless
Mammy’s behavior is marked by a slavish devotion to
white folks’ domestic concerns, often at the expense of
those of her own family’s needs. By contrast, the
relatively-hedonistic Jezebel is a sexually-insatiable
temptress. And the Matriarch is generally thought of as
an emasculating figure who denigrates black men, ala the
characters Sapphire and Aunt Esther on the television
shows Amos and Andy and Sanford and Son, respectively.
Professor Perry
points out how the propagation of these harmful myths
have served the mainstream culture well. For instance,
the Mammy suggests that it is almost second nature for
black females to feel a maternal instinct towards
Caucasian babies.
As for the source
of the Jezebel, black women had no control over their
own bodies during slavery given that they were being
auctioned off and bred to maximize profits. Nonetheless,
it was in the interest of plantation owners to propagate
the lie that sisters were sluts inclined to mate
indiscriminately.
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Sex at the Margins
Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry
By Laura María Agustín
This book explodes several myths: that selling sex is completely different from any other kind of work, that migrants who sell sex are passive victims and that the multitude of people out to save them are without self-interest. Laura Agustín makes a passionate case against these stereotypes, arguing that the label 'trafficked' does not accurately describe migrants' lives and that the 'rescue industry' serves to disempower them. Based on extensive research amongst both migrants who sell sex and social helpers, Sex at the Margins provides a radically different analysis. Frequently, says Agustin, migrants make rational choices to travel and work in the sex industry, and although they are treated like a marginalised group they form part of the dynamic global economy. Both powerful and controversial, this book is essential reading for all those who want to understand the increasingly important relationship between sex markets, migration and the desire for social justice. "Sex at the Margins rips apart distinctions between migrants, service work and sexual labour and reveals the utter complexity of the contemporary sex industry. This book is set to be a trailblazer in the study of sexuality."—Lisa Adkins, University of London |
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The White Masters of the
World
From
The World and Africa, 1965
By W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois’
Arraignment and Indictment of White Civilization
(Fletcher)
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Ancient African Nations
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If you like this page consider making a donation
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Negro Digest /
Black World
Browse all issues
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Enjoy!
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The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan
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The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
/
Only a Pawn in Their Game
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Thanks America for
Slavery /
George Jackson /
Hurricane Carter
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The Journal of Negro History issues at Project Gutenberg
The
Haitian Declaration of Independence 1804
/
January 1, 1804 -- The Founding of
Haiti
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ChickenBones Store
(Books, DVDs, Music, and more)
posted 29 June 2008
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