Strange FruitStrange FruitLynching

Mob violence against African-Americans served four functions within southern

society during the lynching era:

to eradicate specific persons accused of crimes against the white community;

as a mechanism of state-sanctioned terrorism designed to maintain a degree of leverage over the African-American population;

Mob violence against African-Americans served four functions within southern

society during the lynching era:

to eliminate or neutralize competitors for social, economic, or political rewards; and

as a symbolic manifestation of the unity of white supremacy".

The Reasons Given forBlack Lynchings:

Acting suspiciously Gambling Quarreling Adultery

Grave robbing Race hatred; Race troubles

Aiding murderer Improper with white woman

Rape Arguing with white man

Incest Rape-murders

Arson Inciting to riot Resisting mob Assassination Inciting trouble

Robbery Attempted murder

Indolence Running a bordello

Banditry Inflammatory language

Sedition Being disreputable

Informing Slander

Being obnoxious Injuring livestock

Spreading disease Boasting about riot Insulting white man

Stealing Burglary

Insulting white woman Suing white man

Child abuse Insurrection Swindling Conjuring

Kidnapping Terrorism

Courting white woman Killing livestock

Testifying against white man Criminal assault

Living with white woman Throwing stones

Cutting levee Looting

Train wrecking Defending rapist Making threats

Trying to colonize blacks Demanding respect

Miscegenation Trying to vote

Disorderly conduct Mistaken identity

Unpopularity Eloping with white woman

Molestation Unruly remarks

Entered white woman's room Murder

Using obscene language Enticement

Non-sexual assault Vagrancy Extortion

Peeping Tom Violated quarantine

Fraud Pillage

Voodooism Plotting to kill

Voting for wrong party Frightening white woman

Poisoning well

Garfield Burley

Curtis Brown

Nebern, TN

October, 1902

Garfield Burley

Curtis Brown

Nebern, TN

October, 1902

Will JamesCairo, IL November 1909

Will JamesCairo, IL November 1909

Joseph Richardson

Leitchfield, KY September,

1913

Joseph Richardson

Leitchfield, KY September,

1913

Jesse WashingtonRobinson, TX May, 1916

Jesse WashingtonRobinson, TX May, 1916

Elias Clayton, 19Elmer Jackson, 21Isaac McGhie, 21

Duluth, MI June, 1920

Elias Clayton, 19Elmer Jackson, 21Isaac McGhie, 21

Duluth, MI June, 1920

                                             

  

UnknownCenter, TXAugust, 1920

UnknownCenter, TXAugust, 1920

James ClarkEau Gallie, FL

July, 1926

James ClarkEau Gallie, FL

July, 1926

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Strange FruitStrange FruitSouthern trees bear strange fruit,

Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant south,The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,Here is a strange and bitter crop.