Primary Source Assignment 8
One of the most pronounced and infamous acts of hate against black men and women began in the late 1800s, and that act is known as lynching. Though an act of extreme hate, lynching embodied a number of complexities for its motives, as well as the cultural significance adopted within the concept. Lynching represented the underlying struggle of power with the state, gender roles, and a social communion with the intent of reestablishing old racial norms.
Ida B. Wells writes in her book “On Lynchings: Southern Horrors, A Red Record, Mob Rule in New Orleans”, of the elements of hypocrisy that exist in regards to lynching and a major motive: protection of the white woman. Amy Louise Woods writes in Lynching and Spectacle: …show more content…
One of the main points that Woods highlights is that lynching is viewed as a spectacle and social gathering for participants and observers (3). Lynching was a way for participants and observers to extract God’s vengeance and wrath, and punish the sinner for their crimes according to some (36, 48). This source is interesting as there is a statement made by a participant that seems to have a link to Wood’s writings. One participant notes that they are not Christians, but Americans, and as such, they are not confined to the moral rules that they would normally follow as Southern Christians (Ellison, 176). This is a vital statement because it indicates the various complexities and intricacies for how lynching was perceived by the perpetrators. While Woods highlights the interpretation of lynching having underlying Christian motives, this statement made in Ellison’s writings directly challenges that motive by the denial of Christianity. This is important for establishing that lynching had several different perspectives and underneath the surface, lynching has various symbolic and very complex messages that varied for each person. Additionally, Ellison’s account goes hand in hand for the community element that went into enacting
One of the most pronounced and infamous acts of hate against black men and women began in the late 1800s, and that act is known as lynching. Though an act of extreme hate, lynching embodied a number of complexities for its motives, as well as the cultural significance adopted within the concept. Lynching represented the underlying struggle of power with the state, gender roles, and a social communion with the intent of reestablishing old racial norms.
Ida B. Wells writes in her book “On Lynchings: Southern Horrors, A Red Record, Mob Rule in New Orleans”, of the elements of hypocrisy that exist in regards to lynching and a major motive: protection of the white woman. Amy Louise Woods writes in Lynching and Spectacle: …show more content…
One of the main points that Woods highlights is that lynching is viewed as a spectacle and social gathering for participants and observers (3). Lynching was a way for participants and observers to extract God’s vengeance and wrath, and punish the sinner for their crimes according to some (36, 48). This source is interesting as there is a statement made by a participant that seems to have a link to Wood’s writings. One participant notes that they are not Christians, but Americans, and as such, they are not confined to the moral rules that they would normally follow as Southern Christians (Ellison, 176). This is a vital statement because it indicates the various complexities and intricacies for how lynching was perceived by the perpetrators. While Woods highlights the interpretation of lynching having underlying Christian motives, this statement made in Ellison’s writings directly challenges that motive by the denial of Christianity. This is important for establishing that lynching had several different perspectives and underneath the surface, lynching has various symbolic and very complex messages that varied for each person. Additionally, Ellison’s account goes hand in hand for the community element that went into enacting