MARION INDIANA PRISON POSTCARD
To be clear, a lynching refers to a hate or racially-motivated crime. It does not just refer to death by hanging. This type of killing is typically perpetuated by a group or mob outside of the rule of law--aka vigilante justice.
"Strange Fruit" is known as the protest song that sparked the Civil Rights Movement.
~ President J. F. Kennedy.
DIRECTIONS:
Have Your Say...your POV.
1. First read the very short chapter posted on Canvas.
2. Second look at the Marian, Indiana, lynching photograph that triggered Mr. Meeropol to write a poem and then the song, Strange Fruit.
3. Next, three links to listen or watch:
Strange Fruit" Anniversary of a Lynching NPR
4. Last. . .
Watch the video of Billie Holiday singing the most popular Protest Song for the Civil Rights Movement about the most infamous lynching in the United States, (Reelin' in the Years, 1959).
Link: The Song "Strange Fruit" by Holiday
QUESTIONS:
Q1. What did you think of the evolution of this incident regarding the variety of different mediums? (Print as in story chapter, the visual photograph, aural stories, and then short film of the song.)
Q2. Which medium had the most profound impact on you and why?
Q3. Find two credible media examples that reflect vigilante justice or a lynching, since 2022. (1- from the USA & 1- from another country.) Briefly explain your choices & include links.
Your point of view (POV) matters here. First person narrative acceptable, (I think... I was...). All other posts, unless asked for, should be in a second-person narrative: One could think... This option for comments is RARE.
This is a film theory class that focuses on ideological issues from the local to the global or global to the local.
You are not critiquing historical content--You are reacting to it.
Some reactions might be similar but individual differences should be unique to each person, as you will see when you read your peer responses. No student will be judged for being honest! This is a learning process re your SLOs.
Write tight & concise. Edit closely. Honest Effort Matters.
DO NOT REPEAT PREVIOUS COMMENTS.
BE UNIQUE & DIG DEEP!
19 comments:
Q.1 I think that each of the different mediums almost gives a different point of view. The photograph is pretty wild, seeing it cropped is one thing. We see a man pointing upwards, and it offers us only to imagine what he was pointing at, but to see the full photo is honestly sad and offers a silent moment of reflection during this time period.
Q.2 The actual artist singing had a profound impact, the lyrics are very vivid and a true representation of violence and injustice, it was very moving and a piece of art in its way. The ending speaking about the “bitter crop”, essentially how the bodies were left to decay tells us the cruelty of lynching as a “harvest” of hate and violence.
Q.3 Rasheem Carter was an African American from Mississippi who went missing, he shared with his mother and police that white men in his community were targeting him and wanted him dead, he was later found decapitated and dismembered. Although there wasn’t an official connection, some were concerned that it was a modern-day form of Lynching.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/rasheem-carters-mother-speaks-1-year-after-disappearance/story?id=103660675
Two men in Yaunde, were brutally attacked by a wild mob after discovering the two had a relationship. They were rescued by the police, but later, when released, the mob found and killed the two. Another form of the same act in a different way.
https://www.news.com.au/world/africa/horror-as-men-attacked-in-africa-for-alleged-homosexual-acts/news-story/5f381c2dfe9492b45c4fe53a81952493
These are cases that highlight race and sexuality and the simple act that other people are taking matters into their own hands and dealing with them, which is just wrong and taking away their human rights regardless of their race; we are all human.
1. The evolution of the "Strange Fruit" incident across different mediums was powerful and impactful. The poem by Abel Meeropol started as a written protest. The photograph by Lawrence Beitler provided a stark visual reality. Billie Holiday's song performance added an emotional, aural dimension, reaching a wider audience and becoming a significant protest anthem.
2. The musical performance of "Strange Fruit" had the most profound impact. Holiday's haunting delivery combined with the jarring lyrics created a powerful experience that confronted listeners with the brutal reality of lynching. The song's influence extended beyond artistic circles, inspiring anti-lynching campaigns and proposed legislation.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYXP0XrWI_E
In New York City, a man was choked to death on the subway by another passenger claiming self-defense, sparking debates about vigilantism and its impact on marginalized communities.
At the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, armed militia groups have been patrolling and attempting to stop migrants from crossing, raising concerns about intimidation and potential violence against vulnerable populations.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-12-18/arizona-border-militias-extremism-mainstream-immigration
Caroline Lipscomb
Q1. As horrific as the initial incidents are, the results in the mediums that followed are quite beautiful. Billie Holiday has been honored for her bold work, people are still moved by these words today, and James Cameron used his experience to create a platform of awareness and education. How a photo was translated into a poem, a poem turned into a song, and endless years of awareness were then created- is absolutely incredible.
Q2. Reading the lyrics of the song and realizing that no matter how grotesque and evil it sounded, people lived it, was astounding. I was inspired by Abel Meeropol’s heart and talent- how he was moved, was able to turn the poem into song, and how he initially had his wife perform the song.
Q3. In Haiti, residents are violently killing suspected gang members. People believe the police are not punishing justly or are doing enough, so residents are impulsively killing with little evidence.
Vigilantes in Haiti strike back at gangsters with brutal street justice | AP News
In Houston, a 14-year-old killed a homeless man because he thought he’d try to break into their home. With little clause, and likely because of the man’s appearance (African-American and homeless), he shot the man.
Harris County crime: Man fatally shot by 14-year-old during alleged break-in attempt | FOX 26 Houston
Q1. The evolution of "Strange Fruit" through various mediums greatly amplified its impact on the fight for racial justice. Print stories initially documented violence but lacked emotional depth. Photographs, particularly those of lynchings, brought brutality to light in a shocking, undeniable way. Music, especially Billie Holiday’s iconic performance, gave a voice to the pain, resonating emotionally with listeners. As the video emerged, it allowed live performances and documentaries to bring the message to life in vivid detail, reaching a wider audience. Together, these mediums worked to deepen awareness and fuel the civil rights movement.
Q2. The mix of music and photography has the strongest impact; Billie Holiday’s rendition of "Strange Fruit" conveys such deep emotion, allowing the pain of racial injustice to resonate. When combined with the stark reality of lynching photos, the message becomes even more powerful. Together, the music and images create an emotional punch that makes the cruelty of racism impossible to overlook.
Q3.
-https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/22/us/ahmaud-arbery-verdict
-The article from The New York Times covers the verdict in the trial of three men—Travis and Gregory McMichael, and William "Roddie" Bryan who were convicted for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in February 2020. Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was shot while out for a jog in Glynn County, Georgia. The men chased Arbery and confronted him, leading to his death. The trial, which highlighted issues of racial profiling and vigilante justice, ended with guilty verdicts on murder and manslaughter charges. This case became a significant symbol of racial violence and sparked broader conversations about justice and civil rights in the U.S.
-https://theconversation.com/mexicos-slow-slide-towards-vigilante-violence-227827
-The article from The Conversation discusses Mexico’s increasing issue with vigilante violence, where citizens and local groups, losing faith in law enforcement, have started taking justice into their own hands. These groups often target suspected criminals, leading to mob justice. The piece highlights the risks of this trend, including the breakdown of the rule of law and growing instability in the justice system, as more people resort to vigilante actions due to the government’s inability to protect them.
Cody Menzies
Q1: Viewing each medium gives you a small bit of feelings but seeing all three makes the feeling complete. The picture is angry, the poem is revenge, the song is relief.
Q2: It would be easy to say the song because music has such an emotional impact on people but the poem really did it for me. Finding out it was written by a white man it also saw the injustice.
Q3A: https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/10462
I chose this article because of the protest and retaliation from the public that demanded police reform.
Q3B: https://www.voanews.com/a/south-africa-police-7-burned-to-death-in-township-mob-attack/7382253.html
The townspeople take matters into their own hands killing multiple people who were involved in a string of robberies.
Q1. A different narrative is given in each medium as a picture can show the blank/joyful faces over a dead body and aural stories go more in depth and gives more detail, like how people could recognize each other in the photograph. The evolution in technology helped bring this story to different parts of the nation, not just through print, but also through video showing the artist’s performance and like your witnessing it first-hand.
Q2. The aural stories were impactful, especially when hearing James Cameron recount his own experience and how the photograph showed not random faces, but people he knew. It makes it feel more personal hearing someone recount what they lived through.
Q3. Miriam Elizabeth Rodríguez Martínez was a mother whose daughter was killed by a Mexican cartel, Los Zetas, and most cases go unsolved with no justice given to the family, so Martínez decided that she would be the one to hunt down the people who were involved in her daughter’s torture and death. She was able to track down 10 of the people, but sadly she was assassinated before she could get the final ones.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/border-coverage/cartels/woman-mexico-cartel-members-killed-daughter/
Luigi Mangione killed the CEO of United HealthCare, whose company is known to deny coverage and abuse their power over their clients. The opinions on this case are split as some people see Mangione as a hero for going up against a large corporation and killing someone so corrupt, but others see it as a senseless killing that won’t change how capitalism is run and instead should use a more legal way like through petition.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2024/12/12/luigi-mangione-has-become-a-social-media-folk-hero/
Q1: The story transforms with each passing media format. Starting with the poem itself, the poem depicts the hardship one goes through being in the south during this time. When you put it to the beat it was put do mixed with a slow singing voice you add a layer of emotion that has yet to be seen. When you add in the photos from that time you can see that divide being created by the community. The issues many have faced and the terror on their faces.
Q2: The photos are the most grappling for me as they tell a complete story with no words. One of the most shameful times in US history encapsulated in both time and memories. These are all things that I believe we have to remember as to never repeat.
Q3: Vigilante justice in Haiti is seen as young men seek and murder gang members who are roaming their streets. They are hoping to stop kidnapping and other harmful acts happening in the city. Vigilantes in Haiti strike back at gangsters with brutal street justice | AP News
United health care CEO being shot and killed as many Americans are denied healthcare and set up for financial ruin due to high cost in medical bills. Luigi Mangoine took this into his own hands as even though he grew up in an affluent family he was still unable to bear the weight of medical debt, and he took out the common frustration on the CEO.
Vigilante ‘justice’ is a centuries-old American tradition, but it’s sad that many are celebrating a murder — The South Dakota Standard
Q1. With all the different media sources, the tragic story has reached different audiences at the best time to educate and reflect on different emotions. With print in the story chapter and podcast interview, it has a lot more details as to how and what James Cameron and the people who were there went through and what type of emotions and a lot more emphasis on what the environment was like at the time. With the footage and song/different versions of the song, it felt like there was more emotion behind it. It reached out to people of different interests that looked for music and found something more profound that they did not know about.
Q2. Once listening to the Billie Holiday "Strange Fruit" live version song I felt like it was the most moving and self reflecting type of impact that there was and is still impacting people all over the world today. She sings with a lot of emotion, one of them being confused and hurt as to why is it that it happens. I also interpreted that the fruit itself is beautiful and does not stop growing in nature meaning people of color and the reason that the fruit falls from the trees, burns, rots, and stays hanging during the night being the troubles, tortures, and injustices that people bring to them when they are just trying to grow beautifully on this earth.
Q3. A vigilante masked man who wears a costume and fights crime in Seattle is arrested and accused of plotting attacks and in possession of drugs without any evidence and locked up.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/12/the-superhero-complex-masked-man-real-life-inspired-podcast-phoenix-jones
Because of the corrupt officials and cartels in Mexico, Michoacan took matters into their own hands and started a vigilante movement that fights against criminal groups.
https://insightcrime.org/news/analysis/vigilante-justice-popular-across-latin-america/
Author: Jaylen Galvan
Q1.
I think each medium unlocks a different element of horror to the scene of the lynchings. Initially reading the poem gives a feeling of unrecognizable disturbance. Seeing the photograph of the bodies and the casual faces of the mob provide a feeling of anger and sorrow. Lastly, seeing the live performance of Billie Holiday encapsulates the agony that she feels.
Q2.
The live performance of Billie Holiday allowed me to resonate with her pain the most. Each medium was unique however Holiday’s performance simply captured a different level of raw emotion with her expressions and her voice.
Q3.
This article from March 2024 talks about a woman in Taxco, Mexico who was beaten to death by a mob for the suspected killing and kidnapping of an 8-year-old girl.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mob-fatally-beats-woman-suspected-killing-girl-mexico-tourist-city-taxco/
This article talks about the rise of vigilantism on the US-Mexico border in recent years and the long history of vigilantism against migrants. https://azcir.org/news/2024/05/23/border-vigilantes-blur-lines-between-law-enforcement/
Q1: I felt that it helped amplify the message and meaning behind the original photograph. For example, the visual paints a haunting and twisted scene which is amplified by Billie Holiday’s melancholic vocals, then made volatile by the audio recordings of first-hand recollections. With each new medium reached, the story gains notoriety and demands attention in hopes of being the catalyst for change within our communities.
Q2: The Visual by far. What people say is true, “a picture is worth a thousand words” especially the ones that deal with this kind of subject matter. What I find most jarring about the picture is the man looking directly at the camera and pointing with a crazed look almost as if he was telling us “That. That right there is what we do around here!” Also, just to note, the style of his mustache and forearm tattoo are questionable at best.
Q3: This U.S. example is from 2023, it talks about the aftermath of the Daniel Penny trial which was an infamous case dealing with vigilante justice. In the incident, Penny held Jordan Neely, a homeless man, in a choke hold for six minutes straight killing him. He claims it was self-defense due to Neely’s erratic behavior.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/10/daniel-penny-acquittal-white-vigilante-crime
This outside-of-U.S example caught my eye while I was researching more into vigilantism around the globe. Primarily because the main reason why it’s gaining popularity amongst European countries, is due to American influence. They see it in mass here in the States. It became a “monkey see, monkey do” scenario with our folks across the pond.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2020/01/31/vigilante-groups-in-europe-taking-the-law-into-their-own-hands
Q1.
The evolution of Strange Fruit is interesting to me because of its origin and how it evolved into a symbol of injustice. The photograph that inspired the poem/song made the incident real and evokes emotions that lead to questions. Print offered a contextual view that informed the reader and could shape their ideologies. Recordings of first-person interviews offered some clarity and humanization. Video combined the three mediums to deliver one package that some feel is easier to comprehend. Different versions of the songs over the years apply styles and messages that are relevant to its time.
Q2.
Print had the most impact on me. The articles provided the history and context of the story being told which gave me the opportunity to give the incident deep thought.
Q3.
U.S. Case:
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/houston-crime-24-year-old-man-allegedly-murders-37-year-old-convicted-sex-offender
This example is about a man who killed another man because he was a child sex offender who posed a risk to the public. (2024)
International Case:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-68769917
This example is about a group of locals in Mexico who lynched suspects involved in a taxi driver’s murder. A police officer tries to intervene but is killed. (2024)
Q1. The different mediums are striking and emotional. The evolution builds upon the last, making it even more of an emotional event.
Q2. I believe the medium that had the most profound impact on me was watching Billie Holiday sing the song. I kept wondering how she must have felt, especially considering there were likely white people in the audience.
Q3. I chose this article because it describes how vigilantism is a slippery slope. People can say they were afraid of their life and claim, "stand your ground" and "self-defense" and not get prosecuted for a crime they committed.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/vigilante-violence-disproportionately-harms-marginalized-communities-researchers/story?id=99429998
I chose this article because it is alarming to me that Haitians are taking the law into their own hands. I was also surprised to see how many children this affects.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/17/haiti-sees-rise-of-vigilante-justice-as-gang-violence-soars
Jayden Thompson
Q1) The evolution of “Strange Fruit” is important and necessary. More people should be aware of the lynching that took place and with the evolution of “Strange Fruit”, it is able to touch more people and make them more knowledgeable. The photos are graphic and raw, you are able to see what really took place with no sugarcoating.
Q2) The photos were definitely impactful for me. It made it so much more real, being able to see the evil that occurred while people just stood and watched makes me so upset and I think it’s so important to learn this part of history.
Q3) This is an article covering a mob that killed 3 men by hanging them because they kidnapped a girl in Mexico. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mexico-lynching-mob-kills-men-kidnapping-girl/ And this article covers lynching that has been happening against black men for multiple years in Mississippi . https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/08/modern-day-mississippi-lynchings/ Both of these articles are good examples of lynching and how scary mob mentality can be. The second article is also very knowledgeable about lynching that occurred many years ago, along with the names of some of the victims which was impactful for me.
Q1.Seeing the evolution of this incident through a variety of different mediums is very impactful. Reading the story and seeing the very graphic visual was very hard and sad to see, but then we were able to hear the voices of those who were there. These narratives, from images, oral stories and the film you can feel the raw emotions. With all of these mediums the story gains more attention to the injustices and the changes that we still need to in today’s date.
Q2. The visual had the most impact on me. Seeing the image made me feel real un-easy. These are real people. This was real. It is proof that there was a lot of hate. Those that died, had families. Those who were killing also, had families who probably have passed down this hate to their future generations.
Q3. Haiti- I chose this article because it shows the people taking the law into their own hands instead of letting the police handle it. With high violence in Haiti, and the Haitian National Police not taking action, a group known as “Bwa Kale” took it into their own hands to kill alleged gang members.
https://www.globalr2p.org/countries/haiti/#:~:text=In%20response%20to%20escalating%20violence,across%20Port%2Dau%2DPrince.
U.S (Houston, Texas)- I chose this article because there a was a 24 year old man, James Lewis Spencer III, targeted a registered sex offender. He had planned a meet up with the offender by posing as a young child. James Spencer believed that enforcement was not doing enough to protect the community.
https://abc13.com/houston-deadly-shooting-sean-connery-showers-registered-sex-offender-killed-james-lewis-spencer-iii-accused-of-murder/14379164/
1. “Strange Fruit” demonstrates how the fusion of art and multiple media can transform a single narrative into a longstanding catalyst for social change. Initially, printed stories documented lynching but did not fully capture the emotional toll. Photographs then exposed the raw brutality of these acts, confronting readers with a disturbing reality that could no longer be relegated to distant reports. Billie Holiday’s iconic rendition added a haunting dimension, allowing listeners to feel the anguish embedded in the lyrics. Live footage, documentary video, and personal testimonies—such as James Cameron’s reflections—further humanized the terror of the era. Together, these forms of media ensured that “Strange Fruit” was never confined to one expression, demonstrating how art across platforms can resonate with diverse audiences, provoke empathy, and inspire activism for justice.
2. By far the visuals had the most impact on me, Looking at these images evokes a deep sense of discomfort. They aren't just snapshots of a distant past; they're real lives shattered by deep hatred. It’s heartbreaking to recognize that these events weren’t isolated moments, but rather part of pure racism that still resonates today. The photographs speak volumes, reminding us of a painful era in American history that we cannot ignore. By acknowledging and remembering these truths, we can better ensure that such devastation is never repeated.
3. One case that stood out to me that represented vigilante justice in the U.S would be Wisconsin v. Chrystul Kizer Case (2024). Kizer was unfortunately charged with killing her alleged sex trafficker in 2018. In May 2024, she pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide, and received an 11 year sentence. The case introduced the debate over the criminalization of trafficking victims who take action against their abusers.
https://apnews.com/article/sex-trafficking-guilty-plea-homicide-defense-kizer-6bf9c7ef2e0de3a9c9e32e5ae2368018
One international case that stood out to me that represented vigilante justice would be the case of Lina E In May 2023 in Germany. The Dresden court convicted 28-year-old Lina E. and three accomplices for multiple violent attacks against individuals they identified as neo-Nazis and sentenced them 5 years in prison. The group was found guilty of offenses including attempted murder. The case underscored the perils of individuals taking the law into their own hands, even when targeting those with extremist ideologies
https://apnews.com/article/germany-extremism-far-left-right-attacks-lina-f1cf4f4dc7ccf1059eefaf7077ba4eec
1.) I think that seeing all of the different points of view through different mediums helped build the reality of the story and how truly powerful all of the aspects within it are. the in-story chapter was mostly an overview that gives the audience a very detailed idea of what is going on, but there aren't as many emotions. The visual photograph helps create the setting and set the time period that everything occurs in. The aural stories add the emotional aspect to everything, and then the artist singing brings everything together.
2.) The aural stories were the most impactful to me because seeing things in front of me and hearing tones through voices helps create a sense of reality for me and tie in the emotional aspect of everything.
3.) https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/6/what-killing-of-hindu-teen-by-india-cow-vigilantes-tells-us-about-modi-3-0
I chose this story because of how long this man was chased after being suspected of practicing a religion that the killer did not like.
https://eji.org/news/fbi-investigating-death-of-alabama-man-found-hanging-after-suing-police/
In this article, a man appeared to commit suicide but there might be more police involvement than what was originally thought.
-Callie Smith
Q1. Each medium present this act of racial terror differently. The text provides historical context, but the visual photograph forces an immediate emotional reaction. Hearing the recollections of those who were there makes it even more personal. James Cameron, described how the crowd called out for him like he was a popular athlete, showing the intensity of the moment and how people were drawn to witness it. The way people became aware of the situation- through the word of mouth, gathering in the streets, adds another disturbing layer. Each medium ensures this history isn’t forgotten.
Q2. Billie Holiday’s performance had the strongest impact. Her voice carries deep sorrow, and her glances, pauses, and the way she closes her eyes makes it feel like she’s not just signing, she’s grieving. The emphasize on her mouth movements adds to the intensity, making every word feel purposeful. The song lingers long after it ends, leaving both a visual and auditory imprint that makes it impossible to forget.
Q3. In Arkansas, a father tracked down and fatally shot a man who was found with his missing 14 year old daughter. This case demonstrates the complexities of vigilante justice, where personal rage and protection instincts lead to lethal consequences instead of legal internvention.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/10/11/arkansas-father-aaron-spencer-shoots-man-found-with-daughter/75627489007/
In Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia a mob gathered outside a home, attempting to confront individuals they believed were involved in youth crime. Police had to intervene to prevent violence, as tensions escalated due to growing frustration over crime in the area. Authorities warned that such vigilante actions could lead to serious harm or even death, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to handle these situations.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/08/mob-surrounding-rockhampton-home-blocked-by-police-amid-tensions-over-youth
Assignment 3 is graded. There were many GSP errors. Please edit and tighten up. The only deductions I took off for this assignment were for missing links. I had no way of looking at the media stories.
This links are also for other students to see what you guys are taking note of.
By reading previous comments this enhances the learning experience. Next round I will be grading per all of The Rules. The assignments will progressively get a bit more involved. Well done all! dc
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