Many historians and scholars will claim that lynching slowed in the 1930s and ended in the 1960s. However, if one were to look more closely at the current events in the United States, they would see that lynching are still occurring today. The killings may not appear to look the same as they did in the 1930s, but the senseless, unjustified killing of African Americans is still an issue. When someone can murder another person and not be penalized an issue should be seen, but in the eyes of the government and the courts, there is no issue present. This is very similar to the 1930’s killings when a White person could kill a Black person for whatever reason they wanted, and they would be protected. The Washington Post, Business Insider, and Colin Kaepernick, explain why these killings are modern day lynchings, James Cone expresses how it relates to religion, and Winifred Sullivan tells why they keep getting away with it.
James Cone draws a strong comparison with the early lynchings of Blacks and the death of Jesus. With the similarities such as the spectacle of the event, the innocence of the victims, and hanging itself, it is easy to see the comparison. Cone also brings direct attention to the importance of Black churches at the time. The church was a place where the oppressed could be together, feel safe, and be happy. Although something different was happening simultaneously in White churches. During a Sunday in the White church they would announce and plan the next killing. Once Whites figured out the significances of the church for Black folk they became afraid of the political power it would hold. Matthew J. Cressler explains in Why White Terrorists Attack Black Churches that churches are “political institutions that threaten white power.” What was once the safest place for minorities is now a main target for attacks; Cressler continues: “Black religious institutions were emblems of freedom and thus legitimate targets in the eyes of white supremacists.” How can the church go from the safest of places to a place of real fear?
White supremacists are not the only ones killing innocent, defenseless humans. The past two years have shown a statistical spike in the killings of Blacks by police officers. Although the increase of deaths of Blacks by police officers in alarming in itself, a larger issue is the lack of punishment the officers receive. This blatant disregard for justice shows strong comparison to the lynchings of the 30s. Tom Miles explains in Police Killings of Black People in the United States Are Reminiscent of Lynchings how the flawed system works, “Police killings go unpunished because initial investigations are usually conducted by the police department where the alleged perpetrator works.” When police officers get little to no punishment from their superiors or the law in general, a very strong resemblance appears in comparison to lynchings when the White Christian courts and government would also turn the other cheek on the murder of innocent African Americans. This is not just an idea projected by the minority, some popular cultural icons have expressed feelings on the incidents. After the brutal murder of Alton Sterling some celebrities such as Colin Kaepernick voiced their thoughts: “Another murder in the streets because the color of a man's skin, at the hands of the people who they say will protect us.” And to put it in short he added, “This is what lynchings look like in 2016!”
One would also want to believe the “spectacle” aspect of the killings would be removed, but it too is also thriving. With a massive combined two million views on YouTube, the videos of Terence Crutcher and Alfred Olango being shot are now viral. The popularity of violence only proves that even this aspect of making lynching a spectacle is still prominent.These events are not random and during Tony Perry’s studies of the Olango case in Police Release Videos of Killing of Unarmed Black Man near San Diego he noted: “The shooting fit a pattern found during a study by Dumanis’ office in 2014 of several hundred police shootings in San Diego County between 1993 and 2012. The study found that in 45 percent of cases, the shooting occurred “immediately” after the officer arrived and that in most cases, two officers were on the scene when the shooting occurred. Olango’s shooting happened within a minute of the officer arrived, police said.” Within one minute. This is not enough time to access a situation. This was planned on the way to the call. His sister had called the police because he was acting strange after the death of a friend of his. His sister, depressingly, stated “I didn’t call the officers to come and kill my brother in front of me.”Melanie Eversley writes in [a] Video Shows Unarmed Black Man Terence Crutcher Shot by Tulsa Officer about how police are very quick to stereotype and use poor judgment. In the shocking video of Crutcher being shot, by view of a helicopter, it is heard on the video the officer say: “That looks like a bad dude too. He might be on something.” Then, seconds later he is shot. He was not a bad dude, and was not on anything. It was a spectacle.
After all of the years, these types of events have been occurring, some still do not understand. “If we have a shooting, we end up assuming that it had to be racial,” former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R) said. The article Aren't More White People than Black People Killed by Police? Yes, but No by Wesley Lowery proves the lack of education and knowledge on the topic. The Governor continued by adding, “When in fact, as we know… more white people have been shot by police officers this year than minorities.” Though factually this is true, there are many other variables to consider. Lowery calculates: “1,502 people have been shot and killed by on-duty police officers since Jan. 1, 2015… 732 were white… 381 were black…382 were of another or unknown race.” These statistics would support Huckabee’s claim. From the recent census, there are nearly 160 million more white people in America than there are black people… 62 percent of the U.S. population but only about 49 percent of those who are killed by police officers. African Americans, however, account for 24 percent of those fatally shot and killed by the police despite being just 13 percent of the U.S. population. That means Black Americans are 2.5 times as likely as White Americans to be shot and killed by police officers (Lowery). So yes, all lives do matter, but let’s bring attention to an issue that is attempted to be covered up so tirelessly.
Though John Hinnells does not agree religion and culture should be synonymous he does state that: “In the contemporary world, interaction with other cultures is inevitable, with trade, in the news, when travelling or just watching television; meeting a different cultural tradition is inevitable for most people.” It is impossible to avoid because culture, people, and religion are always present. The presence of religion and culture would not and should not be an issue, but it is. This all stems from the lack of knowledge and education on religion. Hinnells continues in Why Study Religion? “To understand a religion, it is essential to have an awareness of the different sets of values and ideals, customs and ethical values. Even if the people one meets from the ‘other’ culture are not religious…” This lack results in the discrimination and hate of the unknown. The majority is scared that they now have some competition, and need to remove it. In the fear of losing power, economic superiority, and control the majority becomes unwilling to learn about other cultures and thus treats them as less than human. A potential solution to many issues involving hate and race would be to have more education teaching about different religions and a wide range of cultures.
During the “Lynching Period” many were protected by Christian courts and officials. Today the same thing can be seen, Winnifred Sullivan writes about in the book The Impossibility of Religious Freedom how the sole idea of being religiously free is merely impossible. She even states that some judges use the “I know it when I see it” (6) philosophy. This is difficult because, well, one cannot always “see” religion. This comes from a long line of Protestant views and definitions of religion. The majority of the time White Christians are protected in their religious views and actions. When other cultures and religions start to act on the injustices, then issues arise. Though police officers are not acting in the name of religion as in the past, they are following the same principles that were followed. The majority has fallen into a cycle started in the past. This, again, shows the fear that Whites have of losing control and power.
Saying that racism is over is a lie, saying it all stems from religion is a fact. If there would have been cell phones at the death of Jesus it would have gone viral, an innocent man hung from a tree; no one is punished. Many years later, it happens again with Blacks being hanged from trees; no one is punished. A few years later, still occurring but now using guns instead of rope, in the middle of the streets for everyone to see, and no one gets punished. The murderers remain walking the streets or placed on paid leave. The safe places such as the church are not safe anymore, and many are filled with hate and rage. Too many Americans suggest that race problems are over, but someone please turn on the news. The government struggles to be involved, politics are flawed and religion is controlling the world. Racism is not over, lynchings did not end, and too many are getting away with murder.
