Both genders were lynched but black men were more often thevictims. Right, 5 were lynched at the same time.
S
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black body swinging in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.
Pastoral scene from the gallant South
the bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
And the sudden smell of burning flesh.
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop.
***********************************
People were lynched for petty crimes like
shoplifting, or merely for the accusation
of stealing something, or sassing a white
person, being perceived as disrespectful.
****
FOR ARTICLE ON HISTORY OF PRACTISE OF LYNCHING, PURPOSE
GO TO:
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/lynching/lynching.htm
PREVALENCE OF LYNCHING, INDEX BY STATE:
http://www.nathanielturner.com/lynchingindex.htm
Such a shameful history.
ReplyDeleteThose statistics on the lynchings by race, state, etc., were very interesting. Another good post, WA.
Also, just yesterday, I heard something about Billie Holliday (see comment to post above).
WA, have you continued the tradition of writing those stories down? That's fascinating.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did wonder how many of these things went unreported. I remember stories of atrocities from the small towns down around Hell, Missouri, where I grew up.
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