"Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America" Exhibition Reaction 9

The images of "Without Sanctuary" depict in graphic detail the brutal murders by lynching of thousands of individuals in the United States. The victims were white, black, old and young, men and women, Jews, gentiles, immigrants and aliens. But mostly, they were African Americans -- as many as 4,000 were slain at the hands of violent mobs between 1882 and 1968. Many of the victims bodies were mutilated or burned; an untold number of victims were tortured before they were lynched. Photographs taken at some of these horrible incidents were turned into mass-produced post cards that were distributed in the mail and shared among friends.

Why? What caused these violent, mob-driven events? Why were individuals dragged out of jails or plucked off the street in cities and towns in South Carolina, Minnesota, Indiana and California and executed without even a measure of mercy? What does this unfortunate chapter in our history have to do with modern times? How can people of good will act to insure that nothing like this ever happens again?

Probing for answers to these questions is at the heart of the "Without Sanctuary" exhibition. At the very least, the exhibition serves the valuable purpose of getting people to talk about the lessons contemporary audiences can derive from this ugly chapter in Americas long struggle for freedom.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Cincinnati
• Ohio
• Lynching
• Photography
• America
• Without Sanctuary
• Exhibition
• Museum
• Education
• History