EE-4-A-J – A-K
[Editor’s note: These letters retain their original spellings.]
12-31-77
(San Francisco)
“Comrade Valarie [Valerie] Jones”
How are you doing fine I do hope? Everything here is wonderful, day by day in every way. I am working to build a better place for all opress [oppressed] and depress [depressed] people of the world. As a black man of today, I have a better insight of American as it is today. People being killed for standing up for not only their rights, but for all poor, and oppress people of the world. My heart goes out to every one of you. You have my respect as a true “comrade.” I have surrendered all hope of happiness for myself in American. For me the word “soul” has yet to be properly defined. I have seen or felt no evidence of its existence. I hope you are doing enough light exercise, each and every day to work up some perspiration. I have been hoping that you would write, and acknowledge my last letter. I hope you will be with the family as soon as you can. This is the life! It brings you close and together to this wonderful family. Their is no racim here. Dad has taught us to live as one. That way you have one big mind to find solutions to all problems. Give my deepest part of my heart to my little girlfriend. Tell her I [am] building a better place for her. Hope to see everyone soon. As I close my letter tears roll down my eyes and on down my face to the end, knowing it’s hell back there.
Peace and Dad Love
“Comrade Calvin Douglas”
—–
12-31-77
(San Francisco)
“Comrade Jerome Simon”
Hi are you fine I hope? Sent [Since] I’ been here in Jonestown, I have change my ways of thinking, as a black person I can see from here, American is unjust. KKK marching each and every day of the week. Different races being shot down or standing up not only for there own rights, but for the oppress people of the world. Like I told “Comrade Alfred,” I didn’t do that much reading back in American, well I guest [guess] because I didn’t understand the system. But now I read books like Che Guevara, George Jackson, and many others. You can see what Jonestown [has] really done for you. When I get off work, sometimes me & Amondo [Griffith] would watch a little TV. Give my regards to the family. And tell them to write, please. Who are our enemies? Who are our friends? This is some question of the first importance for the revolution. We asked the proletariat – meaning working-class. Tell Valarie I wrote her a letter, did she receive it. If not I wrote for another one, to keep [in] touch. Give my love to my dear mom, tell her I know she’s a hard worker of today in these time of needs and togetherness. I have surrendered all hope of happiness for myself in American. I hope you see me as a true “Comrade” of today, my young black oppress brother. Things will change indeed to the best, that I know, because Dad [illegible word] giving us all a new insight to and of life. I close this small letter by saying peace, and Dad Love, “my brother Comrade.”
Yours Truly
“Comrade Calvin Douglas”