Name: Black Fruit Hanging from a Tree: Introduction to Lynching
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Black Fruit Hanging from a Tree: Introduction to Lynching

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Introduction
According to American rhetoric lynching is a civil right. (Waldrep, New York Press. pg. 1).&nbsp; This Eurocentric culture occurred in England, Germany, Israel, Mexico, etc. (pg. 1). &nbsp;The term “Lynch Law” was coined during American slavery. (pg. xvii).&nbsp; When a mob or organization determined that a person(s) violated community code (i.e. running away; reading literature; touching white women) they would lynch as punishment for the ‘crime’.&nbsp; Lynching is a planned, orchestrated, and premeditated murder.&nbsp; The violent act is politicked by local neighborhoods and community members.&nbsp;&nbsp;
There were few federal laws in the U.S. before 1865.&nbsp; Communities and cities took responsibility in determining law and punishment within their jurisdiction.&nbsp; The concept of hanging people by their necks from a tree became a social norm in America.&nbsp; It was tradition in many Southern states.  
Lynching is a community law
The United States Constitution does not mention lynching.&nbsp; Presidents like Andrew Jackson (D) [1829-1837] did not oppose lynching.&nbsp; In fact, President Jackson endorsed this tradition. (xvii).  If there is no federal or state law opposing a particular behavior then it can be deemed a civil right under community law.&nbsp; In other words, communities determine law within their municipality until state/federal intervention determines otherwise.&nbsp; For example, education is not mentioned in the Constitution.&nbsp; Therefore, under federal law parents do not need to send their children to school unless state or local statue determines otherwise.
Lynching during Jim Crow [1896-1965]
Most neighborhoods took it upon themselves to create their own laws.  American communities in the South increased lynching in the 1880s and 1890s (most of which were Black victims).&nbsp; Lynchings increased with the intention of forcing Black constituents to vote democratic. (Waldrep, pg. 5).&nbsp; Another reason is due to the fact that whites found it feasible to take the law into their own hands to preserve the racial caste system. (pg. 13).&nbsp;&nbsp;If a Black man was accused of raping a white woman, white men acted on their right to protect their women by lynching and mutilating Black men, which ignored the Constitution’s Sixth Amendment.  &nbsp;
Lynching is a community effort sought out by a way of tradition and civil liberties.&nbsp; Lynching is essentially not a federal crime.&nbsp; For example, the elimination of slavery required Amendments to eradicate the tradition nationwide.&nbsp; It is dependent on states and municipalities to convict lynchers.&nbsp; For example in Texas it is declared that lynchers can be convicted and sentenced to death for the crime of lynching. (Samuels, 2020).&nbsp;
Conclusion – The “Excuse” for Reparations
The federal government has failed to legislate an anti-lynching bill for over one-hundred years.&nbsp; In fact, most states failed to protect minorities as 99% of lynchers got away with violence according to H.R. 35 Emmitt Till Antilynching Act. (U.S. Congress, 2019).&nbsp; In 2020, the bill passed through the House but stalled in the Senate.&nbsp; Indeed there are multiple arguments as to why the bill did not become law, but the fact that most House of Representatives are willing to accept an anti-lynching bill with only a 10-year maximum sentence is something to ponder.  Perhaps I would refuse the bill as a Senator too.  A lynch mob deserves more than a 10-year sentence.&nbsp; Not to mention, where is the Reparations clause for emotional and traumatic grievance?&nbsp; My 80 year old grandmother from Louisiana still remembers lynchings during her childhood and she is uncomfortable speaking about the topic.&nbsp; 
References
Samuels, Alex. (2020). U.S. Rep Louie Gohmert of Texas one of four House members to vote against anti-lynching bill. The Texas Tribune https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/26/texas-congressman-louis-gohmert-votes-against-anti-lynching-bill/&nbsp;
United States Congress – Rush, Bobby [D-IL]. (2019). H.R. 35 Emmitt Till Antilynching Act. congress.gov.&nbsp; https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/35/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22bobby+rush+and+antilynching%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=3&nbsp;
Waldrep, Christopher. (2006). A History in Documents: Lynching in America. New York, NY. New York University.

Introduction
According to American rhetoric lynching is a civil right. (Waldrep, New York Press. pg. 1).&nbsp; This Eurocentric culture occurred in England, Germany, Israel, Mexico, etc. (pg. 1). &nbsp;The term “Lynch Law” was coined during American slavery. (pg. xvii).&nbsp; When a mob or organization determined that a person(s) violated community code (i.e. running away; reading literature; touching white women) they would lynch as punishment for the ‘crime’.&nbsp; Lynching is a planned, orchestrated, and premeditated murder.&nbsp; The violent act is politicked by local neighborhoods and...

Black Fruit Hanging from a Tree: Introduction to Lynching

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