History

Opinion: Donald Trump is Not Alone Among Americans in Failing to Understand What a Real Lynching Is

Published

5 years ago

October 31, 2019

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

Donald Trump’s use of the term “lynching” to describe the ongoing impeachment inquiry in the House naturally sparked bipartisan outrage.

The president and his shameless apologist, South Carolina’s Sen. Lindsey Graham, defended the use of the word, with Graham calling the investigation a “lynching in every sense.”

Surely Graham, who comes from a state that, the Equal Justice Initiative reports, lynched 187 Black people between 1877 and 1950, should know better. He was a member of the Senate when it voted unanimously in December 2018 to make lynching a federal crime, calling the act “the ultimate expression of racism in the U.S.,” and classifying it as a hate crime.

Trump’s casual use of the word is an indication of the sad reality that America has largely failed to address the role of racial terror and violence in our history, and its legacy in distorting our criminal justice system.

The myths of Black criminality that were used to justify racial terror have never been adequately confronted and are reflected in the unprecedented — and still racially skewed — mass incarceration in America.

To this day, no Congress has passed, and no president has signed into law, a bill to outlaw lynching as a federal hate crime.

Trump defended himself, saying that lynching is a “word that many Democrats have used.” That’s true, but that only reinforces the need to confront the truth of the past. In the former states of the Confederacy, lynching and racial terror were used purposefully after the Civil War to reimpose racial subordination and segregation.

In its compelling report, “Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror,” the Equal Justice Initiative compiled records of 4,075 “racial terror lynchings” of African Americans in 12 states of the South from the post-Civil War Reconstruction era to World War II. The report shows that “terror lynchings in the American South were not isolated hate crimes committed by rogue vigilantes. Lynching was targeted racial violence at the core of a systematic campaign of terror perpetrated in furtherance of an unjust social order.”

Whatever complaints Republicans may have about an impeachment hearing convened in Congress under its constitutional authority, it surely is not a lynching.

Lynching in the South was not done by fringes of the society taking the law in their own hands. It was often organized by the community’s most prominent people and condoned by officials. Lynchings were often gruesome public spectacles, with victims tortured and murdered in front of picnicking spectators. Their intent was not simply to terrorize Blacks, but to reinforce among whites the myth that Blacks were sub-human.

They were not about controlling crime, but about racial control. Their perpetrators were celebrated, not prosecuted. The Equal Justice Initiative reports that only 1 percent of those committing lynchings were convicted of a criminal offense after 1900. Racial terror in the South succeeded in re-establishing white rule and Black subordination after the Civil War. With whites in control of the criminal justice system, lynching became less prevalent, with mass incarceration and capital punishment taking its place.

Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative has led the effort to create a process for remembering and confronting this shameful past and understanding its legacies in our present. He notes that communities across the South have memorials to the leaders of the Confederacy and the Ku Klux Klan, but have failed to memorialize the innocent victims of racial terror. The contrast with countries like Germany and South Africa, that have sought to learn from the horrors of their history, is dramatic.

For 100 years, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People campaigned to make lynching a federal crime, initially in the hope that federal intervention would bring the perpetrators to justice, and finally as an expression of truth-telling. The efforts were always blocked by filibusters organized by southern senators.

In 2005, the Senate passed a resolution apologizing to the victims of lynching for their failure to pass anti-lynching legislation. In 2018, the Senate finally unanimously passed anti-lynching legislation for the first time.

In June 2019, the House Judiciary Committee put forth HR 35, the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, for a vote before the House.

Trump’s egregious comment provide the occasion for truth-telling. The House and the Senate should finally act together to put the anti-lynching bill on the president’s desk for his signature, and join in a national teach-in, perhaps a joint session of the Congress — to educate Americans about the reality of lynching and the lies it spread that still need to be dispelled.

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

Posts by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

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Activism

Living His Legacy: The Late Oscar Wright’s “Village” Vows to Inherit Activist’s Commitment to Education

Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO), a nonprofit organization that works to improve educational and life outcomes for Black boys and men, stated that “Oscar Wright is one of the most prolific, consistent, and committed advocates of equity for Black students and Black Families here in Oakland for the past six decades.”

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Oscar Carl Wright, 101, who passed away on Nov. 18, was still involved in Oakland’s educational affairs until his death.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌, California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

Activists mourning Oscar Carl Wright’s death, have pledged to continue his lifelong mission of advocating for Black students and families in Northern California.

Wright, 101, who passed away on Nov. 18, was involved in Oakland’s educational affairs until his death.

Now, friends and admirers acknowledge that carrying on his legacy means doubling down on the unfinished work that Wright dedicated his life, time, and resources to, according to Y’Anad Burrell, a family friend and founder of San Francisco-based Glass House Communications (GHC).

“Mr. Wright did a lot of work around equity, specifically, for Black students based on their needs — whether it was tutoring, passing classes, or graduating,” Burrell said.

Wright became a champion for his children’s education, recognizing the disparities between their school experiences and his own upbringing in the Mississippi Delta.

Burrell told California Black Media (CBM) that the crisis of unequal access to resources and a quality education continues to affect the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).

According to Oakland Reach, in the city of Oakland, only 3 in 10 Black and Brown students are reading at or above grade level. In addition, only 1 in 10 are doing math at or above grade level.

Oakland REACH is a parent-run, parent-led organization. It aims to empowers families from the most underserved communities to demand high-quality schools for their children.

Wright’s work as an activist had impact across the state but he was primarily known in the Bay Area. Alongside the Black United Front for Educational Reform (BUFER), he filed a complaint against OUSD for violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In 2000, the OUSD school board proposed an action plan to address educational inequity, but it was never implemented.

Wright later founded the African American Honor Roll Celebration at Acts Full Gospel Church, an award that recognizes Black students with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.  Each year, more than 1,000 students are honored at this ceremony.

Burrell said that one of the main reasons Wright’s work was so essential for families and children in Oakland that is the direct relationship between acquiring a quality education and affording quality housing, maintaining food security, achieving mental wellness, and securing stable employment.

Wright was the child of sharecroppers from Coahoma County, Mississippi. He attended Alcorn State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

In the late 1950s, Wright and his family relocated to the Bay Area where he worked as a contractor and civil engineer. He later became an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Burrell said the people who will carry on Wright’s work are part of a “village” that includes KOO’s CEO Chris Chatmon.  Wright was a mentor to Chatmon.

“It will not be one entity, one person, or one organization that picks up the baton because it was a village effort that worked alongside Mr. Wright for all these years,” Burrell said.

Burell says that legacy will live on.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Celebrating East Bay Leaders Keith Carson and Federal Glover at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle

Several leaders were in attendance including fellow Alameda Supervisors Elisa Marquez and Lena Tam, Superior Court judge-elect Terry Wiley, and African American Sports and Entertainment Group’s founder Ray Bobbitt, along with many other guests.

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Keith Carson, John Gioia, Federal Glover, Nate Miley Left to Right.

By Magaly Muñoz

After decades of public service in the East Bay, community members and leaders came together to celebrate Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle Thursday afternoon.

First elected in 1992, Carson has served District 5 for 24 years and announced his decision to step away from his seat earlier this year, just before the deadline to submit new candidate applications.

He dedicated his long career to bringing access to health care, addressing homelessness, lowering crime, improving business retention, and growing job opportunities in Alameda County.

Glover began his tenure as Contra Costa Supervisor in 2000 and previously served as mayor of Pittsburg in 1998. During his time as Supervisor, he supported initiatives on public transportation, created committees for public safety, and supported task forces on health.

“These two distinguished leaders have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of so many people across Alameda and Contra Costa (counties). Their work has touched every corner of the East Bay,” Alameda County Supervisor and President Nate Miley said.

Leaders from both counties spoke on the supervisors’ legacies and their dedicated years of service.

Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia said that Glover was the type of person that grew with each challenge that crossed him, especially after he had major surgery in 2020. But Gioia said that the treatment did not deter Glover.

“He’s had tougher races for reelection than any member of our board that I can recall, and he’s always come back stronger than before,” Gioia said.

Sharing a county border, Gioia complimented Carson on his ability to sway leaders from both sides of the political aisle to listen on the issues affecting locals and residents across the nation.

Shannell Scales Preston, who is taking over Glover’s D5 seat in 2025, told event attendees that Glover was a mentor to her for many years. He often would call Preston after Pittsburg City Council meetings with remarks about her performance and how well she spoke up on certain issues.

With Glover spending years as the only Black elected official in local government, Preston would ask him how he managed to not feel lonely about the job. She then congratulated him on being the only supervisor in Contra Costa to have all Black mayors under his district in 2023.

Preston said he’s been a leader to many diverse groups and his tenure has seen leaders of all backgrounds, but particularly paving the way for Black leaders in predominantly white areas.

Miley, who has shared his entire 24-year tenure on the Alameda Board with Carson, tearfully wished the exiting supervisor luck and said he would miss him dearly.

Carson said that as we embark on a “dark time” for everyone across the nation and worldwide in 2025, it’s important to continue communicating and working with groups from all backgrounds because that is the only way things will get done.

“There have been many lonely nights, but then the sun comes out in the morning when you continue to think, ‘I can make a difference,’” Carson said.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Through Two Programs, Shuja Helps Others Get a Second Chance at a First-Class Life

Damon Johnson, a peer counselor who serves as the executive director of Black Men Speak and Men and Women of Color will be affected by the state’s new rules. Living with a behavioral health condition, he is an advocate and a leader. Damon, best known as Shuja, was incarcerated for 34 years and today is advocating for the rights of persons with similar lived experience and for the survival of peer-led programs like the one he manages.

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Damon “Shuja” Johnson at an Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Holiday Cultural Event for the Office of Peer Support Services. Courtesy photo.

By Melody Parker, Gloria Woodson, Jaleah Winn and Damon Shuja Johnson
Special to The Post

Under recently passed Proposition 1, California’s behavioral health services will be allocated $1 billion for services for the unhoused in 2026-27, Governor Gavin Newsom announced last summer.

Although some of the funds from the Mental Health Services Act were diverted to Proposition 1, individuals living with behavioral health conditions and housing challenges are maintaining hope for wellness and recovery.

Two days after his reentry to the community, Shuja began work as an outreach coordinator for Black Men Speak. Within a year, Shuja was promoted and later appointed to director after the loss of former Black Men Speak Executive Director Joe Anderson.

A native of North Oakland, Shuja was raised in an all-women household after his grandfather was murdered. Though dealing with his own grief, the loss caused Shuja to become the “man of the family.”

His grandmother’s nurturing helped him to overcome the trauma of his grandfather’s death which, “gave him a foundation as a child.” He recalls fond memories of his childhood, like riding a new bike he received for the holidays. “My friends and myself spent meaningful time together as children,” he said. “Together, we would build go-carts, climb trees, have rock fights and find worms, crabs and bees.”

But his trauma impacted his childhood and led to his being impacted by the system. Shuja grew up mostly in detention halls and prison.

Besides directing Black Men Speak! (BMS!)/Men and Women of Color (MWOC), he is also the director of a self-help center in Oakland. There, Shuja and the peer workers provide support to the unhoused. He coordinates a digital literacy program, co-facilitates trainings for peer support specialists, organizes a service animal resource, provides peer support and directs speakers’ bureaus.

BMS! and MWOC are programs increasing wellness and recovery by sharing stories of hope and journeys to meaningful living. Members have authored presentations and spoken to audiences on topics such as post-traumatic stress disorder, family, community violence, self-worth, spirituality, and mental health, alternative therapies, eight dimensions of wellness, reentry, single parenting and health.

The members have been featured nationally and locally, at trainings and conferences and throughout Alameda County Behavioral Health Care services. The organization has been in operation for over a decade.

It all began in 2009 and received nonprofit status in 2012. The group developed from Peers Organizing Community Change, formerly known as Pool of Consumer Champions (POCC), originally established as an all-men’s committee.

The committee co-founders Dewitt Buckingham and Darnell Livingston organized men with experience in the public mental health system for a speaker’s bureau. This was the consensus of the committee after a process facilitated by Katrina Killian, Steven Bucholtz, Sally Zinman and Jaleah Winn.

The committee and facilitators composed the following mission. The BMS!/MWOC mission is “to inform and enlighten the mental health community and the general public about issues concerning men and women of color suffering from mental health and substance abuse challenges, through storytelling thereby promoting ad increasing wellness, recovery, and freedom.”

Shuja has a vision and plans for the organization. “BMS!/MWOC will be sustained with the funding of $1.5 million for capacity building to hire people to pay salaries for staff.”

Currently, BMS!/MWOC has volunteers assisting the programs. Funding will enable the enhancement, increase in self-help services and provide for outings and meals. “We want exposure as when adults and children have taken the free BART rides to go to places outside of Oakland that they never traveled,” Shuja said. “We want to go to Africa. More influential communities can travel, and we need the same opportunity.”

Despite several barriers that are facing Shuja and the organization, he is determined to fulfill the nonprofit’s mission. “There is money. Children wear $200 shoes. We want to teach financial literacy, not to be a slave but how to buy and how to keep. BMS! needs some rich friends and we also need friends who have know-how. We need support from private and public sectors.

“BMS! is one of the only Black organizations in ACBHCS. Today we have the SB 803, Peer Support Specialist bill that will enable us to bill Medicaid/Medi-Cal and only two full-time staff. We do not have the support of the community.”

Shuja is honored to be a participant in advocacy for legislation to improve the lives of peers and is not discouraged by changes to statewide policies. The current changes coming down the pike with Prop 1 are motivating him to work more diligently for the rights of behavioral health clients.

“This is about employment and empowerment and authenticity. The unhoused can be asked about hope and faith. I had to have faith and hope every day that I awakened in prison. I would have died in prison, but I had hope, faith and peer support and it manifested.

“My first reentry job is to go back to my family and save them and if this is repeated among families then we will have wellness and community. Kids raise themselves today. Today, grown folks cannot be in kids’ business. We want to do better. How can we bring back the good of the past?”

Today, the good of the past is coming back with the work of Black Men Speak! Men and Women Of Color. All support is welcome. Black Men Speak and Men and Women of Color welcome contributions and invitations to collaborate. In order to contact the program staff please reach out to 510-969-5086 or shuja@blackmenspeak.org.