The crowd jeers as he strides to the center of the podium. Simultaneously powerful and vulnerable, the Black man begins to address the crowd. A young White woman approaches, extending both middle fingers to the delight of nearby onlookers. Catcalls and shouted obscenities rain down upon the speaker. Their derision is cleansing and primal, justified, redeeming.
Not all of the assemblage hurls invective. Some are shaken by it, disturbed by the succession of young speakers, each attempting to surpass the previous interlocutor’s righteous indignation, displacing the legitimate anger of those who had more reason to feel rage at the perceived wrongdoing. The crowd cheers each expression of that rage.
If not for the bodies hanging from the trees, the photograph could have been taken at an ice cream social. Children ran about, slipping in and out of the crowd, youthful joy at odds with the circumstances. Young girls looked at boys, giggled, looked down in feigned embarrassment then back up to smile at the camera. Some saw the seriousness of the event, pointed fingers and stern looks indicating what the wages of sin had wrought. Grinning louts peered about, Adam’s Apples prominent, jutting.
Another Black speaker unsuccessfully attempts to sway a congregation which is not there to be swayed, the attractive moderator gracefully orchestrates the kabuki, the crowd’s adoration guarantees the success of the dance.
Faces in the throng grow furtive, cunning, their features misshapen. The attractive moderator is now knitting quietly, a rose pinned to her head-dress. Young children run about, slipping in and out of the crowd. Young girls look at boys and giggle, looking about for cameras to preen in front of. Some in the crowd brook no foolishness,gazing about sternly and pointing upwards at the wages of sin. Grinning louts peer about. Directing his gaze at the ground, the viewer turns and follows his shadow out of the park.
The voices have receded to a low buzz. Stepping off the curb, the viewer turns to look back. The crowd has regained its urban mien. No strange fruit hung from trees.
A chill wind blows dry leaves along the street. He follows along.
Exquisite painting by Oliver Lutz.
As I was dragged out from the Grant County courthouse to met my fate, I saw the bodies of my friends hanging from the tree. Bloody from the many blows of the crowbars, axe handles, and stones thrown. My mind cleared as the rope was placed upon my neck. I accepted the inevitable and gazed down upon the hatred of the chanting mob. I began praying as my mother had taught me when facing things beyond my control. Suddenly a voice cried out.. an angels voice.. and the crowd went silent. “He is not guilty!”, the voice cried.Miraculously, the crowd parted and allowed me to be freed. The voice again yelled.. “He is not guilty” and those sweet musical notes fell upon me like the finest spring rain.
I hope you didn’t mind me putting that part in my comment, Oso. The picture that you used for your post is a iconic part of history. 3 men were arrested in Grant County. 2 of them had already been lynched, 1 after he was already dead from repeatedly being beaten and stabbed in the chest with a crowbar.
James Cameron was the 3rd black to be lynched and was at the point of having the rope around his neck, he was saved by that voice. He went on to be an activist and civil rights leader. He also started the Black Holocaust museum in Milwaukee. Later he would serve as Indiana’s State Director of the Office of Civil Liberties.
He is the only known person ever to survive a lynching and lived to be 92 years old. He always had the rope scar around his neck.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this post, Oso. I wish I had the words or talent as you then perhaps I could.
Thank you man. I didn’t know any of that, I’d seen the photo before but hadn’t known about the man who’d been saved – thanks so much for this info.
That makes it even more impressive. To be able to capture so well that horror of the moment without knowing any of the facts of that particular incident. Great post, Oso.
For those that may be interested in the historical facts behind the picture the Oso used.
http://archive.suite101.com/article.cfm/african_american_literature_ret/33971
Amen!
Thanks Peggy!
You know someone is a gifted artist when the story is beautiful despite the disturbing subject matter. What a talent you have!
Morgalla that is very kind, thank you!
Of course, Morgan says it all.
I can’t help but remember the old b/w movie, Henry Fonda on a horse gathered with others who are about to hang a man. He says, “HEY YOU PEOPLE! THIS ISN’T RIGHT, AND YOU KNOW IT.” Oso, you DO have a gift for examplifying HOW we must respond to all the insanity as it breaks out around us. Thank you for doing your job. It’s the real job you came here to do… Now. At this time, at this place. I really think so.
Ox Bow incident! Great movie, thank you Gwen!
If given the chance, there are some among us would no doubt still be that crowd socializing at the tree. That I typed that and truly believe it from my gut, depresses the shit out of me. When are you writing that book papi?
thanks vk, nice to hear from you. How is your leg? Hope you are better.
Got the cast off a little over a week ago and started phys therapy with the torturer in chief of the Spanish Inquisition last week. Well that’s what I told him he was anyway, and if they ever reopen the position I will gladly give him references should he apply for it. He’s a sports med guy, so I’ll be up and around here soon enough causing much trouble, if they don’t make me want to die before then.
I’m around OO a lot, working with decolonize oakland and occupy the hood. We’re working with the clergy to fight the city paying millions each year to Goldman Sachs, working on encuentros (gatherings, like the Zapatista listening campaign) in the community, first one March10, working with immigrant rights groups on a ‘dignity and resistance’ anti racism march for Mayday. Yet there is criticism of our work, some say we’re cowards,my reply is your typical struggling single parent is more concerned with daycare services than a fuck the pigs march. We can do more putting cutting ties with Goldman Sachs as an agenda item with the city council and maybe keeping a library open than being in jail. Ay I’m on a rant again!
Hey rant on, it’s how shit gets changed isn’t it? I’m doing voter registration in east San Jose this weekend.
thank you for this. beautifully written. truth is spoken here.
much appreciated.