Thanks again for the nice review of the Stonewall film. I thought it might be appropriate, however, to respond to the following remarks:

“My only criticism, the video seemed to go out of its way to show Jackson as a ‘friend’ to slaves and blacks, via his Sunday School activities with blacks. This is indeed important, and only needed mentioning once–not over again. I understand the issue here, but feel it was not needed to emphasize this to the point that it was.”

I would disagree. If anything, this aspect, at least in regards to Jackson’s black Sunday school class, has not been emphasized enough. It is important to keep in mind that Jackson taught this class for almost 6 years – 3 times longer than he fought for the Confederacy. Why shouldn’t this be discussed in great detail? Furthermore, the class continued to operate until 1887 – 24 years after Jackson’s death. Yet, for what is Jackson most remembered? In my mind, the SS class is a legacy worth exploring, given the times in which Jackson lived and the class operated (in Virginia while slavery was legal and after the War during reconstruction). The term “black man’s friend” came from three documented historical references. Jackson was called that by his pastor, Dr. William Spottswood White, also by one of his staff and early biographers, Robert Lewis Dabney, as well as a later local historian, Henry Boley. Moreover, Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. went even further and said of Jackson: “He became a spiritual teacher for scores of slaves and freedmen as well as the best friend many of them ever had.”

The movie was based on my book, so, naturally, this was going to be a central theme of the movie. But for those who will take the time to read the book, they will see that the friendship was 2 ways and that it was the slaves in Jackson’s boyhood who first befriended him. It is my belief that he never forgot that and this was part of the inspiration for his class. Thus, the early seeds of kindness which these slaves planted in Jackson’s life later benefited other slaves and free blacks, as Colonel Keith Gibson of VMI points out in his comments.

The overall theme of the book, and to some extent, the film, is that friendships, even in difficult and unjust circumstances, can have a dramatic impact on history and last for generations.

Again, thank you for taking the time to view the film and write about it. I do appreciate your input.

Best Regards,

Richard Williams