Without Sanctuary: Lynching in America
Studying these photos has engendered in me feelings of deep disgust. The pictures showcase a nation that persecuted an entire race for being "savage" on one day and brutally murdered their own citizens on the next. A nation so deeply entrenched in unfounded racism that it was able to block out the horror of their own acts to such a degree that lynchings were enjoyed and celebrated as social gatherings. Worse than that, though, these photographs reminded me of the way that same nation has turned its back, even today, on its own actions. This nation that prizes equality and freedom above all else has yet to officially recognize or atone for the sins of its past. Such hypocrisy and conscious ignorance flies in the faces of the unjustly dead as well as the ideals of our founding fathers.
I think what upsets me most about these pictures is the very fact that they're necessary. To some people novels like Beloved would seem to be enough to get people to recognize their horrific history, but that is sadly not the case. These works are too complex, too intelligent, too "preachy" for most people to simply read out of their own accord. No, most people these days need to be hit over the head with these shocking images to confront these atrocities. Viewing these images will not allow people to forget the past, not allow them to pretend that everything is OK now. With any luck, these images will also inspire people to look further into their history and possibly get them to read poetry by Hughes or a novel by Wright where the issues can be explored in far greater detail. The prose and poetry are what will truly make the difference in someone's life, what will give them a deeper understanding as well as empathy for those who suffered. In a perfect world these works (stories, poems, pictures) would cause people to even take a closer look at their own society and realize that we are far from perfect. In a country that became the most powerful in the world on the backs of its "lower class" this humility is imperative.
I think what upsets me most about these pictures is the very fact that they're necessary. To some people novels like Beloved would seem to be enough to get people to recognize their horrific history, but that is sadly not the case. These works are too complex, too intelligent, too "preachy" for most people to simply read out of their own accord. No, most people these days need to be hit over the head with these shocking images to confront these atrocities. Viewing these images will not allow people to forget the past, not allow them to pretend that everything is OK now. With any luck, these images will also inspire people to look further into their history and possibly get them to read poetry by Hughes or a novel by Wright where the issues can be explored in far greater detail. The prose and poetry are what will truly make the difference in someone's life, what will give them a deeper understanding as well as empathy for those who suffered. In a perfect world these works (stories, poems, pictures) would cause people to even take a closer look at their own society and realize that we are far from perfect. In a country that became the most powerful in the world on the backs of its "lower class" this humility is imperative.
posted by Chris @ 5:49 PM
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