American Crime Case #6: Lynching in America The Torture, Mutilation and Murder of Thousands of Black People and the Terrorizing of Millions More, 1865-1950
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on September 4, 2023
These were not secret acts, but part of public life in the South. Sometimes thousands, and sometimes virtually the whole white community, would attend pre-announced lynchings. These were often day-long celebrations with a carnival atmosphere. Families came with picnic baskets, vendors sold food, and photographers documented the occasion—selling pictures of the lynching as postcards. Sometimes the victim’s body parts were sold as “souvenirs.” Here’s one example:
In 1904, after Luther Holbert allegedly killed a local white landowner, he and a Black woman believed to be his wife were captured by . . .
