The murders of their grandfathers link Herbert Lee and Louis Allen's grandsons

Louis Allen and Toriano Lee
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

My research at the National Archives led me to find an Associated Press article about a family of five kidnapped and sold to a family in Fluker, Louisiana for twenty dollars after they were kidnapped from Amite County, Mississippi. "You read that right, a family of five sold for twenty dollars. The family of Crawford Allen, his wife, and three children. One of the three children was Louis Allen a Civil Rights Leader who was murdered in 1964 for speaking out about the murder of Herbert Lee who was shot and killed by E. H. Hurst at the cotton gin in Liberty, Mississippi.  Hurst was a member of the Mississippi state legislature. 

The murder of Herbert Lee in 1961 occurred during a time of intense racial tensions and civil rights activism in the United States. Lee's death, as well as the subsequent murder of Louis Allen for speaking out about it, shed light on the systemic racism and violence that African Americans faced in the segregated South. These tragic events served as catalysts for the civil rights movement, further fueling the fight for equality and justice.

A few years back, I received a call from Louis Allen's grandson, Louis. My heart swelled when I received the phone call from Louis Allen's grandson Louis, his namesake.  Finally, I identified the people who were illegally sold. Slavery was supposed to be abolished in 1863. The illegal sale of Crawford Allen and his family for a mere twenty dollars is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted systemic racism that persisted long after the abolition of slavery. The system of peonage and involuntary servitude was the new name for slavery. Under peonage, individuals were typically bound to their employers through debt or labor contracts, 

Herbert Lee

Fast forward sixty years. Earl Richardson, Jr., informed me about his brother Toriano Lee's family history. I immediately wanted to discuss his family history with him. From that day forward I kept his story on my desk and in my heart.  I received an email from Dr. Marcia Chatelain, an author and historian at the University of Pennsylvania, regarding an article I wrote and published about Toriano's grandmother Prince Melson Lee.  Chatelain was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History for her book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, for which she also won the James Beard Award for Writing in 2022.  During the 1963 March on Washington, D.C., Prince was recognized with Rosa Parks, Diane Nash, Gloria Richardson, Myrlie Evers-Williams, and Daisy Bates. Prince was the wife of NAACP activist Herbert Lee. 

During a conversation with Toriano I asked him if I could arrange for him to meet with Louis Allen. They both agreed and I made arrangements for the grandsons of Louis and Herbert to meet each other for the first time. The meeting between the grandsons of Louis and Herbert is a powerful symbol of reconciliation and healing. It brings together two families that have been deeply affected by racial violence and injustice, bridging the gap between past and present, and fostering understanding and unity. This meeting not only honors the legacies of Louis and Herbert but also serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of those who continue to fight for equality and justice. It was emotional for me to sit and listen to Louis share information Toriano heard for the very first time. 

Louis Allen

As I observed their faces, I saw expressions of pain, hurt, and loss resulting from their grandfathers' murders. The weight of their grief seemed unbearable to say the least. It was a haunting reminder of the profound emotional scars left by such unimaginable acts of violence, forever shaping their lives and their understanding of what it means to be Black in America. The two emphasize the importance of educating their sons about racial injustice in the United States. Moreover, Toriano expressed his gratitude to Louis for the courage his grandfather Louis showed when others who witnessed the murder remained silent.

Amite County, Mississippi, has a long history of racial tension and violence, particularly during the Civil Rights era. This context adds even more significance to the brotherhood formed by Louis and Toriano, as their shared tragedy represents a powerful bond in the face of a troubled past. I walked away feeling emotionally exhausted and drained after listening to their stories.  Listening to personal stories is emotionally taxing as it requires me to empathize with the experiences and emotions of others. It can also bring up unresolved emotions or trigger traumatic memories, leading to feelings of exhaustion and depletion. Nevertheless, most of the time it can't be avoided.