AFRICAN AMERICAN JEHOVAH’S WITNESS CHICAGO - DECADES LONG JAIL SENTENCE LETTERS FAMILY PHOTOS 1955-2011
Item #1221
There are photo albums and letters in this collection of an African American mother and son, Betty and Joseph, who were Jehovah Witnesses. The son was also in prison for several years, I believe for armed robbery, and the letters were mostly written to him while he was incarcerated. I am withholding their last name.
This collection houses over 150 handwritten letters received by the incarcerated man between the years 2000-2011, during his stay at several correctional facilities in Illinois: Cook County Department of Corrections (2000-2003), Pinckneyville Correctional Center (2004-2005), and Illinois River Corrections Center. There are about 225 photographs, most of which were formerly the property of his mother, Betty. While there are few letters from Betty, she is mentioned often by friends and family.
There are two photo albums, one measures 10” x 11 1/2” and the other 5 5/8” x 7 7/8”. The majority of photographs depict family occasions, child rearing, and the day-to-day experience of this Black African American family in Illinois. There is a yearbook from Martin Luther King, Jr. High School from 1983 with writing and marks. It is not clear to whom this yearbook belonged, though I assume Joseph. There is also a year book from Wendell Phillips High School’s graduating class of 1959. This belonged to Betty. There are also elementary school photos from Hinton School in Chicago, 1973-1976.
The earliest letter is dated October 2000 from Joseph’s wife, Jai. Jai writes regularly for eight years. Letters from his wife disclose the tribulation of having a loved one who is imprisoned, raising their children, yearning for affection and partnership in raising their two children. Ultimately, this difficulty leads to their divorce. A small selection of excerpts are transcribed here.
In 2005, Jai recounted: “I had a dream about us the other night and it was so sensual - In the dream you were so romantic and loving as you always have been, but there was a difference and I could only feel it was because you seemed to think I didn’t feel the same for you. Please don’t come home thinking this! I really couldn’t take it after not seeing you for over 5 years.“ Also from 2005: “This the third time Ive written to you in 4-5 months but still haven’t heard from you I’m pissed off I can’t have a life with my husband, celebrate our anniversary and Christmas, and just hold you. I miss holding you.” And finally, in June 2008: Hey Babe, This will be the most difficult letter I’ve written to you. I must ask you for a divorce and I’m hoping you will understand and realize why I must do this./
At this point in my life I have held out waiting for you for the past 7 1/2 to 8 years and I will soon be 48 years old and I would like the ability to live my life again without feeling as though I am also in jail. I can’t do this any longer…. I apologize for this because I’m not trying to hurt you but I believe you knew this day was going to come and also this type of letter. I promised you that if ever there was someone else in the picture I would tell you. So at this point I have met someone else. No, I do not love this person and I’ve currently been seeing this person for approximately 3 months. Not sure if we will have a long term relationship but I do realize that I don’t want to be with someone else and still be married — this is not good and so I’m asking that you please fill out whatever paperwork that needs to be completed in order for us to get a divorce…. I’ll always love you no matter what. Love, Jai.”
Enclosed in one letter from 2004 from Jai, is a note from his son A.J., part of which reads: “I just wish you were home. I don’t ever want you to think I don’t love you or miss you because I do. There are times when I see people with their dads and I wish I had mine. I love u and miss u.”
Letters pour in from Rose (Tillman) Taylor. She often quotes the Bibles, prays to Jah, pioneers in the community, and expresses contentment with Joey’s dedication to the teachings and his receiving baptism while incarcerated. A few excerpts follow:
- “I understand how you feel when you say you don’t want to let Jehovah down. I have done that before and I tell you it is truly the worst feeling in the world”
- In a letter from 2008, Rose writes in reference to the recent Assembly address: “Christ’s Kingdom is no part of this world by Brother Joseph Mazacek … he mentioned the change that was the presidential race in 2008 and said there’s nothing inappropriate in wanting a new government. There’s a universal outcry for a new government for this world. He cited Proverbs 29:2… Human rulership has ravaged mankind as mentioned at Eccles 4:1. He asked why the Bible uses beasts as symbols of human government. It’s because they’re beastly rulership. God’s kingdom is so superior that it couldn’t come from a human source. God’s kingdom cannot be shaken because Jah is the foundation, while a king will reign for righteousness itself.”
- And in relation to her pioneering on behalf of Jah, this letter from 2011 explains: “A couple of weeks ago we had the police called on us once in Northfield and twice in Wilmette — all in a five day period. In Willmette, we were told not to ring the bells with the No Solicitors signs — that’s most of the houses in Wilmette. We can continue to make calls with those we have established a relationship with until the Legal Dept. gets back to us with further information. Even though we’re not selling anything or requesting donations (specifically) for the magazines, the police officer said we’re “soliciting ideas”. Isn’t Satan busy?
There are frequent letters from his mother which she signs “Guess who” and addresses him affectionately as “Cub”. Letters from his mother tell of her movement to and from new living quarters, the decline of her health, and the letters regularly encourage faith and trust in Jehovah. In one letter from 2008, his mother insists: “Joey, please don’t let anything take you away from Jehovah. Thing[s] are happening so fast - a lot of times we don’t understand what is really taking place. Have the Brothers talked with you about the new arrangement for magazines?”
Other letters from Lula Johnson, Kim McClenton, Sharon Hibbler, Melissa Moore, Belinda Booher, etc. Kim McClenton is an old classmate, thanks to the power of the internets, Kim writes in: “I haven’t heard from you in about 10 years or so. I’m writing because I’m surprised to see that you’re in this place. My girlfriend and I were here at home playing around with the computer and started thinking if people we know when she said for me to look up a guy she knows with your same last name. I was so surprised to see you. What happened?”
Joey and Melissa Moore had a dedicated correspondence from 2009-2010. Joey must have expressed his affections for her because several lengthy letters from Moore exude compassionate rejections. It is clear she enjoys writing to him and praises his belonging to Jehovah, but she does not reciprocate the feeling of attraction. For one, they have spent very little time together if at all during to his incarceration and when she first started writing to Joey he was a married man. She sees him as a “Big Brother” and nothing more. The letters are loving, appreciative, and thoughtful.
There is one letter that was returned to sender in which we are able to read Joey’s own words. Dated February 7th 2004, he writes to Belinda, an excerpt: “I know a lot of people use the words “love” and “black queen” a lot and yet they have [not] the slightest clue as to what they mean or what they are. Let me start with “love”. It’s an easy word to say but it has some very deep meanings. the Bible says a lot about what love is, but if you can’t take those qualities that it says and apply it to yourself, then all those qualities are just words on paper… I’m not trying to get all holy and stuff :) but do me a favor, read Corinthians 13:4-8 and look deep into yourself…. I’m about to ask you something strange here, but I want you to trust me and try what I say, O.K.? When you’re [sic] getting out of the bath or shower, before you dry off, look at yourself in the mirror. Take a long look (I know I’m a pervert! :)) and as you look at yourself think of how far you have come in life… There is so much I want to say […] I’m forced to hold back. But I’m not afraid to say I need you. I believe (for some crazy reason) we were meant to [?] hold on to each other right now… Always. Love, Joe”
Beside this material, there are certifications Joseph received while incarcerated. Including, a business management certificate in 2006 through Rend Lake College, and a certificate in Food Service Technologies from Spoon River College in 2010. There are notes from his time studying through Spoon River College and report cards.
Other ephemera include court documents from Cook County, a hearing notice from his lawyers at Brookins & Wilson Law Offices, and death notices of several loved ones.
Letters are not in chronological order. Some letters are provided with their corresponding envelope, while others are not. Some letters have worn and torn edges, while others are in good condition. Overall good condition.
Price: $2,000.00