Stark Truth

In completing the readings for today’s class I was struck by Ida B. Wells-Barnett’s examination of the facts and stories surrounding the lynchings in the south during the post-civil war period. In combining the sheer number of lynchings and the inconsistency of the treatment based on color, I found the stories horrifying to read. It was also shocking to see the variety of “crimes” for which capital punishment could be applied, or to which hanging was the result of a mob that would settle for no less, including murder for alleged, attempted, or self-defense crimes, not to mention those with no proof whatsoever. I was also shocked by the lack of names in lines such as “three unknown negros” which only add to what appears to be a complete lack of law and order in the south, both formal and moral.

This reading was brought into context our second reading by Saidiya Hartman which while dense, helped to discuss the idea that in the post-war era the freedom of slaves was actually worth less than their lives during slavery. This idea, as manifested in the law, actions and words of society, is exemplified in the examples presented by Wells-Barnett where law if nothing else appears to turn its back on the now free slave community. The combination of these works brings to light the human suffering, immorality and violence that seems unimaginably fierce today; although perhaps it will help us to better look at some of the residues in law, speech and action that may still exist in our lives and society today.

On a final note, I wanted to mention how impressed I was with Lawrence Hill. Not only did I feel like he answered our questions very effectively, but he also brought to life the story of “Someone Knows My Name” in a way that helped to give more meaning to the discussions within it. What an awesome class!