1975 Notes on Yolanda Crawford
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[Editor’s note: Minor spelling errors have been retained.]
Yolanda Crawford
SF
Revelation 6/11/75 T
– Youlanda is going to UC Berkeley and wants to go to another SF college this summer to take an organic chemistry class.
Fear letter 9/74
– afraid of pre-med class in school, physics and chemistry
– fears enlonged persecution
– fears rats, spiders, snakes, snails, dragon flies and bees
– afraid of being left behind when we get ready to go
– fears concentration camps
– fears walking alone in this world
– fears of not being completely liberated and free of racism
– competition in that implanted in the school ats students against students against professors
Revelation to SB [Sandy Bradshaw] Obs 5/9/73
– she has a turquoise wallet
Revelation to LA OV 3/2/72
– 2 cards 3×5
1) Charlesetta Sec. Sunday School, 620 Mt Vernon Ave. SF 334-6327, Class 5 (attached)
2) Raley J. Fioreman (writing on this card hard to read) – 567-4171, 1981 McAllister, SF Class #8
– Charlesetta Freeman (Sec. Sunday School)
OBS.6-13-73-LA (J GONE)
– Ron Crawford sitting onguard in the balcony he was chewing his nails nervously/he was slow to stand at first, but he was standing later.
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Undated letter from Yolanda Crawford about leaving Jonestown.
A] Why I want to leave Guyana From Yolanda Crawford.
- At this point I am very hostile and rebellious and I refuse to stay.
- because I hate Jonestown:
- I feel the discipline is to hard (ex Kenny was made to jack off with a hot pepper & also put it up his butt.) (ex. if a child has a bowel movement in his pants he must wear them on his/her head.)
- It’s really not what I expected I am sure it is because of the beogiose life that I have had.
- I just can’t stand it people are always afraid they are going to get in trouble.
- I hate Georgetown
- People walking streets w/ no shoes on or clothing living in shacks of course it happens in the States but this is suppose to be a socialist country.
- There is nothing to do as far as excitement in this country. The Prime Minister seems to be living well though & enjoying life.
- I don’t like not having a dime in my pocket while others do.
B] What would I do if I went home (to the U.S.)
- For discipline for Father using it to send me here.
- I’ll work for 2 wks. nite & day doing anything asked w/ 3 hours sleep/nite (maximum)
- I will take on a job and as soon as I do in a matter of 3 months pay back the expenditure for our flight & phone calls. I’ll also work on procurring items there w/ all my spare time.
- I will spend at least 2 hours after work/nite helping in any way.
- I will not discuss any negativity, not even to Harry [Williams].
- I will sign any papers you want me to upon leaving Guyana.
(OVER) —>
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I ask Father to please let me come home and I swear I will not breed any negativity. I will encourage others to come. If I ever want to come here again i will pay for my own way. Please let me go back.
Innerspeculation:
I’ve had life to easy, I am a black narsacistic bitch. I am selfish and I indulge in myself. But I cannot make it here, please send me home. I will not be a negative influence to any one. If you let me come home I’ll work my ass off and not let Father down when he says I came back to do work.
I will not do like Mae Harris and run off. I know I am copping out but someone should respect my honesty and let me go even if upon that alone.
I know the revelation Father gave me and when it happen I shall never blame Father but only say he was right. Father I ask you to please do me this service of letting me go back to the capitalist States.
Yulanda
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Dear Denzil;
I hope this letter finds you in the best of health. Both Nyoki & I are doing fine, but we haven’t heard from you in quite some time so we’re very anxious to hear what’s happening. How is your son doing? Fine I hope.
Well as you already know I am in South America, Georgetown, Guyana, and the country is celebrating its 11th Independence Anniversary and wow have they been doing it up, with alot of festivals & Music Jam Sessions. The best one I’ve been to as the Guyanese National Service Steel [Illegible word] Bands. It was really live they played jazz, soul, pop music and even Dr. Wooten’s kind of music. Tell that ole square face I said “hi” and be sure to tell Pam I said “hi” and to write soon. I am going to try and get a recording of the band and send both you and my brother one. I know you both will really dig the music they play. The way it’s set up is with old oil barrells and each barrell have various notes when hit in various spots. When the whole band plays it sounds like electric guitars
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xylophones, and drums. The group ranges from ages 16-22 yrs old with two women included. It only takes them 1-2 hours to learn a new song all done by ear.
When I first got here I was more [or] less on my own but it took my time but I decided to join in with the People’s Temple Agricultural Project in the Northwest District. I know I never got to explain to you my existance and the loss of my time that I couldn’t account for when you asked me about it, but I will now. I was told you I was a total atheist at heart where religion was concerned this I still hold to be true. But I am and was a member of Peoples Temple why? Because they are and were doing things for people, not just members but strangers, not just San Franciscans but foreigners, not just American citizens but other nationalities as well. And the character of Jim Jones founder and leader who legally adopted eight children (including a black son named after himself Jim Jones Jr.). They didn’t preach about
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heaven, hell and damnation. Those were just myths that were not reality. I never knew how you would have accepted this but I should of at least given you a chance and thought positively about the situation. But you always said I had to believe in something and I do believe America has been built on the bloodshed of mine and your people and there is no hope for a just society there for any self-respecting person of our color (We’ve all been persecuted at some time or other). And a man of your age, character and strength and intelligence deserves more than that country has to offer you and here there is hope in this black self-built country.
I just wrote a paper from San Francisco, our Peoples Forum about how the racists were out to get a nigger and Jews. Also how the young children are being programmed and an early age to hate all niggers and Jews.
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Now you are probably wondering where the money is going to come from but don’t worry about that it can and could be taken care of. Even the job market is no problem. There are plenty of jobs and excellent doctors. Mom’s has been doing excellent and she hasn’t had any reoccurrence of her back ailment. Denzil even if you come here and decide you don’t want to make a family setting around me that’s cool too. But at least consider the choice and even consider visiting Peoples Temple 1859 Geary. The invitation is extended and Jim Jones is interested in meeting the man I have been concerned about, you should phone # 922-6418 ask for Lee Ingram & please identify yourself that you are a friend of mine.
Denzil it’s so beautiful to see black children and children of color to be able to walk the streets without fear of being mugged or degraded by name-calling. The main thing I want to do is maintain our contacts and to be sure you are safe. I more or less flew into your life, altered your lifestyle somewhat and mine and I cannot
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just walk away and don’t look back. But now I’ll have to ask you to fly 5000 files if we [illegible word] to meet in-flight.
Everyone must change, nothing stays the same! You always said that there is nothing that you can ever be sure of, but you can be sure that this move was best for the both of us. Not because I wanted us to depart because times are getting harder and I could make a way for you to get here to see opportunities like you never before knew existed.
I’ll be sending you some pictures because it’s hard to visualize without seeing.
So tell me how have things been going on with you, what have you been doing to preoccupy yourself? Nyoki is sleeping right now but she has become a very determined independent child, and is always saying “no.” She has gotten alot bigger if you try to lift her now or even hug her, you would know that she has really grown and has a good appetite. Yesterday I made some BBQued chicken, Greens, Fried Bread, and Rice. I must say it was real good.
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Who’s been taking care of the house for you in my absence or have you been managing. You know I appreciate the truth even if it hurts. I haven’t seen you for so long. Why don’t you send me a picture of you in your next letter. Are you still upset about the car? How is it running now, anyway? When’s the last time you saw Ronald? I am relieved that I heard from Anjolla, she is doing better I hope, I know my letters’ full of questions but it’s been a long time.
Tell Solomon, Larry, Pam, Dr. White, Dr. Anderson, Robert [illegible last name], and San Francisco I said, “hi.” You still making it with two jobs? The mail comes slow here, so if I move gave you the address already it takes at least 5 days for me to receive a letter so if you wrote and answered some of my questions just ignore them and, just write me. Thank you for the going away present. Oh, and how is your back and cold doing? Fine I hope. I’ll be sending you some snapshots of all of us as soon as I get through with the roll and have it developed.
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I love you and miss you very much. Take care until I see you again.
Loving you always,
Lan Lan
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Note from Yolanda Crawford’s mother, Rosemary Williams
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[illegible address]
Georgetown, Guyana
So. America
May 12, 1977
Arrived here Sunday night at 1145. Everybody here is okay. Nyoki is a big girl and talking very well. Yolanda sends her love.
How did you make out with the [illegible word] and doctors. Hoping all right.
The Guyanese people is very friendly. The weather is very warm.
Rose said hello, and tell Wesley Johnson hello for her.
Yolanda is working hard she is a [illegible word] now, and doing very good. She is writing out recipes now.
Please take care yourself
Rosemary