Lynching! Forgotten History 1870s-1955

This exhibition was inspired by James Cone’s book The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Cone says that one can not understand the cross unless they understand the lynching tree. This focuses on the humanity of those suffering; the humanity remains after torture or murder. Most of the works in this exhibition were shown in New York City in 1935 in two separate exhibitions. At that time the organizers hoped to put an end to lynching. Eighty three years later many in this country have forgotten the more than 4000 lynchings that took place all over United States. With so many Black Americans in prison, living in poverty and having their voting rights stripped away, it is useful to revisit some of the suffering experienced. Knowledge is the first step toward healing.