Bias and negative assumptions about "others" is universal in other countries AND in the US. However, here people don't seem to want to acknowledge that European "whiteness" has given some people an automatic acceptance, vs otherness assigned to African Americans and those of Hispanic background, and now Middle-Easterners (Muslims). I am old enough to remember why my parents moved from Albuquerque, NM to CT when I was entering school (1952) so we wouldn't have to attend legally segregated schools. In ABQ neighborhood kids used to throw rocks at us and call us dirty spics. Even as an adult I have been aware of the reaction of some people in Fairfield County where I worked in a professional administrative position when I revealed my Hispanic background. I have not been subjected to the same kinds of harsh treatment as those during the height of the anti-black or anti-Hispanic discrimination and terrorism., but I can understand the mistrust by the African-American and Hispanic communities of the intentions of law enforcement and the larger community that is our nation. The discriminatory and segregationist use of violence against these communities is not so far in the past as the SCOTUS would like to think. Those who want to deny or forget these behaviors have not done the work to earn that right. We have a wonderful nation, BUT we have a ways to go to earn the right to call ourselves post-racial and let go of the past.
45
While I read this, all I can think about is Oklahoma banning AP History because it's "too negative" and "unpatriotic." I guess it's unpatriotic to consider some of the ugliness in our history. You embarrass us all, Oklahoma.
82
In Pasco, Washington this month, police executed a Mexican. The lynchers now use guns instead of ropes.
36
The 'white'-washing of America's brutal and racist history knows no psychopathic limits.
America needs to continually acknowledge its crimes against Native Americans, Mexicans, African-Americans and sundry other minority populations instead of pretending to be Saint Reagan's 'shining city on a hill'.
History is not subject to revision, as much as the denialist community wants to deny America's rich vein of white racism.
America needs to continually acknowledge its crimes against Native Americans, Mexicans, African-Americans and sundry other minority populations instead of pretending to be Saint Reagan's 'shining city on a hill'.
History is not subject to revision, as much as the denialist community wants to deny America's rich vein of white racism.
92
Just watch the movie
Django (1966) (Director, Sergio Corbucci)
where killing Mexicans is game, reflecting a dark history.
Django (1966) (Director, Sergio Corbucci)
where killing Mexicans is game, reflecting a dark history.
8
Not in any way to undercut the importance of these lynchings, or African-American lynchings, but as a historical side-note: whites were also lynched on the American frontiers. Mobs grabbed horse thieves, rapists and the like, and summarily strung them up. Historian John C Wills, in Forgotten Time (U of Virginia) counts more whites lynched in the Mississippi Delta than blacks in the years after the Civil War. Clearly, race-motivated lynchings inflict far more long-term damage
25
Who cares what some group that does not exist today did a long time ago? I sure don't. Seems like support for a person who really does not love our country.
13
This is not meant to belittle the work of the authors, whom I thank for their research: But when I saw the title of this piece, my initial, instinctive reaction was to roll my eyes and think to myself, "Gee, thanks New York Times, for telling me and every other Mexican American in this country something we've known all our lives." This is not just a newspaper editorial; these are the histories that get passed down in too many Mexican American families. Well... welcome! Here is another piece of our collective American history, making its way to a larger audience -- finally.
55
Mob rule has existed throughout human political history. But there is little to compare with the scale and breath of the use of lynching against blacks in the US during the course of slavery and the battle to eliminate it.
14
The texas rangers have a cruel and bloody history. Their murders of mexicans and native americans are well documented but seldom discussed.
39
While I do not have any intention to condone or seem to condone any of this violence and injustice, I would like to point out to thoughtful people that this sort of information is not just to shock or shame any one group or individual, we need to see our common weaknesses and strengths in it.
Please note that we have no lynchings now (altho' some might argue we have suspicious killings still), and that happened because Americans took a stand against it and put an end to it. It was not some foreign or alien body that invaded the US and forced people to change.
So my point is - these findings and reports need to remind us that we Americans are not born exceptional, we are the same violence-prone animals like anyone else, and biologically the vast majority of us are from "Anyone-else-land" anyway. What is exceptional is the choice made to respect the rule of law, to work towards a better society, a "more perfect union".
I hope folks start looking at it in this full-bandwidth manner rather than filtering in or filtering out parts that do not suit their angry, partisan narrative.
Cheers.
Please note that we have no lynchings now (altho' some might argue we have suspicious killings still), and that happened because Americans took a stand against it and put an end to it. It was not some foreign or alien body that invaded the US and forced people to change.
So my point is - these findings and reports need to remind us that we Americans are not born exceptional, we are the same violence-prone animals like anyone else, and biologically the vast majority of us are from "Anyone-else-land" anyway. What is exceptional is the choice made to respect the rule of law, to work towards a better society, a "more perfect union".
I hope folks start looking at it in this full-bandwidth manner rather than filtering in or filtering out parts that do not suit their angry, partisan narrative.
Cheers.
27
Now that I know more about lynching history, I am curious. Were there any incidence of lynching of Native Americans? I am not talking about any massacre during any battles between tribes and new Americans.
Also what about lynching of Chinese immigrants during the Westward expansion of America?
Also what about lynching of Chinese immigrants during the Westward expansion of America?
10
While lynching and mob violence are a shameful American history, there is NO way to equivocate the dreadful treatment of African-Americans in this country to that of Mexicans. Case closed.
23
As several thoughtful readers commenting on this essay point out, victims were drawn out of what were, at the time, vulnerable minority communities. Most familiar to me is a series of lynchings of Italian immigrants in small towns in northwestern Pennsylvania early in the 20th century. Taken together, this suggests a broader question deserving study. Has there always been (and continues to be) a sub-strata within society particularly vulnerable to inflammatory rhetoric or demagogic oratory to the point which prompts transformation into lynch mobs? Just as no vulnerable minority seems to be immune, is it possible that potential perpetrators live among us yet?
25
I'll leave it at this mainly because the point is not given fair airing in this recounting which makes it seem otherwise for lacking it.
These are not peculiarly US American crimes. Lynching and all its bastard cousins has always existed in the human race in all nations and race groups. It is a function of xenophobia, ignoracne, religious zealotry, and a tool of those who use the listed human traits to wield false power over those whom it can be done with such methods. Aside from the innocents, I would expect most of the victims were the sort of people who could not be cowed with appeals to baseness and ignorance.
These are not peculiarly US American crimes. Lynching and all its bastard cousins has always existed in the human race in all nations and race groups. It is a function of xenophobia, ignoracne, religious zealotry, and a tool of those who use the listed human traits to wield false power over those whom it can be done with such methods. Aside from the innocents, I would expect most of the victims were the sort of people who could not be cowed with appeals to baseness and ignorance.
11
Carrigan and Webb's book does not cover the long period after 1928 to the present. The lynching of Mexicans did not end in the 1920's. There were recurrent periods of intense persecution and lynchings of Mexicans, such as during the Great Depression and after WWII. The anti-immigrant hysteria that began in the 1990's is the latest episode of intense anti-Mexican sentiment. Just as racism has been transformed from personalized to institutionalized discrimination, the racial basis of anti-illegal immigration from Mexico, which extends to "Latinos" living in the US as a whole, has also become sanitized as national security. This legitimation has turned what in the past were lynching posses into armed patriotic vigilantes who defend the nation agains the invasion of impoverished clandestine immigrants who are captured, often beaten, and handed over to the Border Patrol.
39
Throughout US history many people of various ethnic backgrounds have been lynched, including those who were pasty white. This article takes the view that all these people who were lynched were innocent and this is some great loss of humanity. In extra judicial killings, innocents do get swept up among the guilty, but to assume all are innocent is hogwash. Unfortunately, even if these had gone to court in that day, many of these would be found hanging later as they may have been railroaded through a fast trial. I am guessing that lynchings were not peculiar to only the US and they were prevalent throughout Latin America during those same years, especially for those of majority native blood.
29
The evils of ignoring our sometimes violent past will not be lessened by waving a bloody shirt. These events, by admission, were extra-judicial deaths, that is, against the law. Focusing on them without the perspective that they are past events can only serve to harden the subliminal urge for revenge among elements of society. "Celebrating" the anniversary of a murder(s) serves no constructive purpose and only reinforces negative feelings. Some comments have irrelevance by crowing, "See, we're not so great." South Africa has been more progressive than the US by recognizing past injustices and then moving on. The US can learn from them.
20
The Son by Philipp Meyer is an emotional entrance to a time when whites slaughtered Mexicans and Native Americans for their own piece of Texas because they could. Without that book, I would otherwise remain blissfully unaware of the facts of this not peculiarly American experience.
31
Until recently, I had considered Mexicans to be white. This article and its predecessors have opened my eyes to the fact that they are considered non-white by people who don't like them, whether they entered this country legally or not. IN any case, these lynchings are a stain on America's reputation and need to be brought to light, with appropriate restitution.
25
I doubt the "Mexicans" you write about were descendants of the Spanish conquerers, nor of any European settler in what is today Mexico. The greatest majority of those crimes mentioned were undoubtably Native Americans or of mixed race and predominantly native. Mexicans can be blue eyed blonds and have no troubles settling here. It is those who show Indian characteristics who were and are discriminated against.
45
I doubt the "Mexicans" you write about were descendants of the Spanish conquerers, nor of any European settler in what is today Mexico. The greatest majority of those crimes mentioned were undoubtably Native Americans or of mixed race and predominantly native. Mexicans can be blue eyed blonds and have no troubles settling here. It is those who show Indian characteristics who were and are discriminated against.
5
Gee, what's next on the aggrieved groups in US history list. The NYT seems to delight in depicting the US as the most dangerous place on the planet if you happen to be a person of color.
The history of the US is complicated,bloody and most of the time not very pretty, its been a clash of cultures since its founding and a challenge to live through this history for all of us. Events of the past shape the present we live in and the future to come. All of of us are aware of the problems that previous generations left for future generations to deal with. We all need to strive for as Lincoln said,"the better angels of our nature."
The history of the US is complicated,bloody and most of the time not very pretty, its been a clash of cultures since its founding and a challenge to live through this history for all of us. Events of the past shape the present we live in and the future to come. All of of us are aware of the problems that previous generations left for future generations to deal with. We all need to strive for as Lincoln said,"the better angels of our nature."
15
Considering disproportionate rates of incarceration and execution, I am not sure that the depiction of the US as a dangerous place for persons of color is inaccurate. Sure it isn't Nigeria or Sudan, but it sure isn't Belgium or Sweden either.
31
It is horrible that anyone is and ever was persecuted for their race or religious beliefs, but Mexico is a country, not a race of people. I can't help but see this as another forced attempt to make the current immigration about race and not about money. Mexico receives $25 billion a year from its citizens living in the US. The US Chamber of Commerce is a proponent of amnesty. Who speaks for our poorest citizens and legal immigrants who face worsening working conditions and lower wages?
19
The caption of the NY Times interactive Map of 73 Years of Lynchings reads: "The alleged offenses that prompted the lynchings included political activism and testifying in court."
That's too ambiguous, like the professor's statement about the "clear differences" between the lynchings of Mexicans and blacks. The truth is that in contrast to the mobs who lynched blacks, those executing Mexicans rarely charged their victims with committing sexual offenses.
The professor's attempt to absolve the South of a "distinctiveness that...set[s] it apart from the rest of the United States" in the area of racial violence, is contradicted by the fact that federal efforts to enact anti-lynching legislation, from the 1901 Hoar Anti-Lynching Bill, to the 1922 Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill and most of the first half of the 20th century, were all defeated by a solid front of Southern Democrats or by a Southern filibuster.
That's too ambiguous, like the professor's statement about the "clear differences" between the lynchings of Mexicans and blacks. The truth is that in contrast to the mobs who lynched blacks, those executing Mexicans rarely charged their victims with committing sexual offenses.
The professor's attempt to absolve the South of a "distinctiveness that...set[s] it apart from the rest of the United States" in the area of racial violence, is contradicted by the fact that federal efforts to enact anti-lynching legislation, from the 1901 Hoar Anti-Lynching Bill, to the 1922 Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill and most of the first half of the 20th century, were all defeated by a solid front of Southern Democrats or by a Southern filibuster.
15
Thinking Americans know that past transgressions against certain immigrant groups and people of color were often egregious and far too common, especially in the southern tier of states. No amount of revisionism or excuse-making can change that. But it is also true that those crimes have always been contrary to our own national ideals of toleration and fair play. Let's not condemn ourselves too harshly for the ignorance and hatefulness of the worst among us, past and present, who do not abide by the rules of normal mainstream morality. We should be proud of the remarkable changes in American attitudes and behavior toward minorities, women, Jews, and gay people painstakingly achieved since the middle of the 19th century. History shows that when Americans are persuaded that they've been wrong, they will change. Much of the rest of the world can't make that claim.
16
Well, yesterday we got a history lesson from Rudy Giuliani who stated we'd be better off with a President more like Ronald Reagan. What would that look like? He probably means someone who is white.
13
Why does anyone have to be "persuaded" to treat other people the way you would want to be treated?
6
"In today’s charged debate over immigration policy and the growth of the Latino population, the history of anti-Mexican violence reminds us of the costs and consequences of hate."
Complete non sequitur. Ascribing hatred as the motivation for those that believe our current immigration policies should be enforced until we agree to modify our laws is a total cheap shot and adds nothing to the conversation.
Complete non sequitur. Ascribing hatred as the motivation for those that believe our current immigration policies should be enforced until we agree to modify our laws is a total cheap shot and adds nothing to the conversation.
27
It's also forgotten that although minority groups suffered disproportionally with regard to be lynched there were also many whites who were lynched. These often involved business or political feuds where there was no criminality involved but where the purpose was to incite fear in the colleagues or supporters of the lynched. And, as with racial lynching, these occurred primarily in the south.
And don't forget the lynching of Leo Frank in Georgia for the crime of being Jewish.
And don't forget the lynching of Leo Frank in Georgia for the crime of being Jewish.
15
Most important article, a reminder of our depravity as human beings, driven by greed, religion and tribe. Some may say that those were 'different' times, even different folks, more ignorant and prejudiced and avaricious and less aware of our common humanity. Perhaps, but we must remain vigilant of our subconscious cultural biases, of which we may not be even aware of. And as such, the past may become prologue...again.
8
While not lynchings, the zoot suit riots in 1943 were another instance of a minority being targeted for violence and authority's looking the other way. While the role of war time rationing may have played a role in providing at least an ostensible reason, the riots by American service men were clearly racial in nature. This was aided and abetted by the press.
Of course, Oklahoma students will never hear of such a thing, what with the apparently ban on AP History and even any mention of anything that takes away from the precious image of American Exceptionalism.
Of course, Oklahoma students will never hear of such a thing, what with the apparently ban on AP History and even any mention of anything that takes away from the precious image of American Exceptionalism.
15
"In today’s charged debate over immigration policy and the growth of the Latino population, the history of anti-Mexican violence reminds us of the costs and consequences of hate."
It also reminds us that we (that is all of us, including those of us who have read this article, been disturbed by it, and made comments here), are capable of the same violence and hatred.
Acknowledging that is the first step in being able to make "real" change in human social interaction.
It also reminds us that we (that is all of us, including those of us who have read this article, been disturbed by it, and made comments here), are capable of the same violence and hatred.
Acknowledging that is the first step in being able to make "real" change in human social interaction.
7
White Americans cringe whenever history shows horrific crimes were committed simply for being Un White. These crimes are part of the culture of white America, unrecognized.
Now we can certainly say that all groups have committed atrocities no matter their race. Mexicans killed Mexicans, Africans killed Africans , Chinese killed Chinese etc.
However, the history of those actions by un whites upon one another is well documented. Often used to reject any idea that Caucasians are inherently evil or solely responsible.
This nation, specifically white America, has this sense of "moral superiority" when in essence they were responsible for innumerable deaths of innocents for profit or "nation building".
It isn't surprising that Mexicans or Natives were lynched. The vitriol of whites for many un whites at that time was palpable.
When we speak about the lynching of Blacks and Mexicans, the difference is that it was "terrorism" for blacks. The fear whites had of blacks was much more poignant than it was for Mexicans. Blacks were former slaves, whites were always paranoid about black vengeance. That resonates even to present day, that is why many would rather elide past crimes.
"what good will it do?"
History teaches, it serves as a reminder. We celebrate our achievements as Americans but we shrink from confrontation on deepest flaws. You can't have it both ways, celebrate 4th of July, yet avoid anything else seen as unflattering. Hypocrisy is a characteristic of America too....
Now we can certainly say that all groups have committed atrocities no matter their race. Mexicans killed Mexicans, Africans killed Africans , Chinese killed Chinese etc.
However, the history of those actions by un whites upon one another is well documented. Often used to reject any idea that Caucasians are inherently evil or solely responsible.
This nation, specifically white America, has this sense of "moral superiority" when in essence they were responsible for innumerable deaths of innocents for profit or "nation building".
It isn't surprising that Mexicans or Natives were lynched. The vitriol of whites for many un whites at that time was palpable.
When we speak about the lynching of Blacks and Mexicans, the difference is that it was "terrorism" for blacks. The fear whites had of blacks was much more poignant than it was for Mexicans. Blacks were former slaves, whites were always paranoid about black vengeance. That resonates even to present day, that is why many would rather elide past crimes.
"what good will it do?"
History teaches, it serves as a reminder. We celebrate our achievements as Americans but we shrink from confrontation on deepest flaws. You can't have it both ways, celebrate 4th of July, yet avoid anything else seen as unflattering. Hypocrisy is a characteristic of America too....
20
Excellent piece. Another part of America's "exceptionalism" that many white folks don't want to read, know or think about. Not in the curriculum for Texas history taught in Texas public schools. What a shock! Attention Mr. Gulliani! I'm starting to think that the New York Times doesn't love America.
23
Mexicans and Mexican Americans know this history, they haven't forgotten. Sadly, it's only when the NYT writes about it does our collective memory and interest become revived. Please try to review authors other than your circle of friends with their liberal white guilt for these stories. You will find these stories sooner rather than later!
9
Th list goes on -- Greeks were victims of "popular" riots in Omaha and other places. Jews were lynched in Georgia. Oops, I guess that by mentioning this Mayor Giuliani will say that I do not love the U.S., and after all he did to improve race relations....
16
This headline is “click-bait” of the highest order.
Only a fool (Rudy Giuliani perhaps) would argue that our national conscience is free and clear of all wrongdoing. By the same token, if you examine the history of any people, be it American, English, Spanish, Mexican (look into how the native population of Mexico has historically been treated), etc. you are bound to find some truly horrific incidents.
Ultimately, the difference between the United States and other nations is that we Americans are easily pegged as hypocrites because our national ideals are so lofty, and we have so often failed to live up to them.
But I ask you, is it not better to continue to strive towards such lofty ideals and fall short in our attempts to achieve them? We may not be the “City on the Hill” that we often like to think of ourselves as, but I don’t think it’s for lack of trying.
Only a fool (Rudy Giuliani perhaps) would argue that our national conscience is free and clear of all wrongdoing. By the same token, if you examine the history of any people, be it American, English, Spanish, Mexican (look into how the native population of Mexico has historically been treated), etc. you are bound to find some truly horrific incidents.
Ultimately, the difference between the United States and other nations is that we Americans are easily pegged as hypocrites because our national ideals are so lofty, and we have so often failed to live up to them.
But I ask you, is it not better to continue to strive towards such lofty ideals and fall short in our attempts to achieve them? We may not be the “City on the Hill” that we often like to think of ourselves as, but I don’t think it’s for lack of trying.
8
Many nations. many religions, have lofty ideals. We are not so exceptional in that either. However, it seems that America believes that its ideals are even loftier, or better, than those of any other nation or people. Do you notice a pattern?
5
At bottom, the bulk of White America objects to any truth that challenges the constructed myth of a heroic and innocent America that is taught in American history books, as witness by the wide objection to the late Howard Zinn’s book, “A People’s History of the United States”.
The notion that you can “just move on” from the atrocities committed against the indigenous people of this land, Blacks, and other minorities reflects a fundamental disregard for the suffering of others.
In the words of William Faulkner, “The past is never dead, it’s not even past.”
The notion that you can “just move on” from the atrocities committed against the indigenous people of this land, Blacks, and other minorities reflects a fundamental disregard for the suffering of others.
In the words of William Faulkner, “The past is never dead, it’s not even past.”
24
According to a Tuskeegee Institute report on lynching, from 1882 to 1968 every state had at least one lynching and the southern states had the largest number per state. Precise numbers are indicated in the report, which seems to claim that there were exactly 3,446 blacks and 1,297 whites lynched during that period. Mississippi lynched the largest number of people, 539 blacks and 42 whites, and Delaware, Maine and Vermont had the lowest number of lynchings. More whites than blacks were lynched in these states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The number of Latinos lynched isn't shown in the Tuskeegee report. It would appear from the Tuskeegee report that all the statistics about lynching are known, but that isn't true, and there seems to be no supporting information about each of the lynchings listed. The systematic exclusion of white and latino lynch victims from today's sensationalized media reports indicates that the issue of lynching is being racialized to serve the interests of one particular ethnic group: blacks.
12
Let's not forget the largest lynching in US military history. Immigrant soldiers lynched for refusing to kill innocent Mexican families.
This is why all good people of conscience, regardless of race, who are against killing, oppression and exploitation, slavery, greed, discrimination and bigotry must join together to protect human rights for all.
This is why all good people of conscience, regardless of race, who are against killing, oppression and exploitation, slavery, greed, discrimination and bigotry must join together to protect human rights for all.
23
Never heard of this. Any supporting documentation?
1
The problem with all of you "just move on" people is that you're delusional. You pretend that all of America's ugliness is in the past. You explain away the problems of today as random acts instead of systemic, generational evils. We cannot be the judges of the world when we live in glass houses. The past is being repeated every day because we want to "White" wash the past and not be realistic and tell the truth past and present.
71
For balance, I would like to weigh the count of lynched Mexicans against a count of Americans killed by Mexicans. How many Americans were killed by Mexicans during this period?
8
Balance?
13
Yes, Einstein, like Fox News - always Fair and Balanced....and unusually white.
15
This reminds me of the op-ed published on President's Day, dissing George Washington for pursuing a runaway slave, which at the time, the late eighteenth, was his property. The Liberals may not like it, but that's the way it was back then. The author of that piece, like the author of this piece, is a "professor" of history, most of whom know the majority of Americans, including the "educated" NYT reader, knows very little about American history to place these footnote events in the broader context. This kind of discussion belongs in an upper level or graduate level seminar, in which the students have taken the basic courses on American history, or even hold a BA in the subject. Otherwise, these op-eds serve only to wow the public with shock and awe and promote the skewed Liberal agenda which is to discredit America at every turn. Thank you.
14
"Discredit America?" Your comment that "that's the way it was back then" discredits America. You're right, but your complaint is a bit misguided.
13
The broader context was spelled out in the George Washington article: he used a technicality to get around the law in order to keep slaves in a time and place where \ when slavery was being outlawed.
Didn't think anyone really needed the broader context spelled out here: lynching is and was always barbaric and wrong.
Didn't think anyone really needed the broader context spelled out here: lynching is and was always barbaric and wrong.
17
"That's the way it was back then" is not a good reason to forego articles of this sort or say they should only be discussed in the halls of higher education. A behavior that was acceptable at the time can still be analyzed and learned from today. The roots of 2015 are in history and one cannot speak competently about immigration or poverty or race or housing in America without the context of history - and articles like this give us that context.
And the Washington article pointed out that, in fact, he did not conform to the times with regard to his slaves, but rather went out of his way to hold his slaves in a way that was unpopular and behind-the-times.
And the Washington article pointed out that, in fact, he did not conform to the times with regard to his slaves, but rather went out of his way to hold his slaves in a way that was unpopular and behind-the-times.
18
Hatred is easy and knows no bounds for human beings. Fear mongering is a tactic being employed now to incite hatred of Muslims in America. This column shows what ignorance and hatred can achieve, violence and war. Will the insanity of fear and hate ever end? Not in my lifetime, sad.
13
Thank Fox news
2
Los San Patricios- Lynched In defense of humanity and innocent Mexican families.
Irish immigrants escaping famine joined the USA Army as a path to citizenship. From 1846 -1848 The United States annexation of Texas in 1845 was the primary cause of the Mexican American War.
When the Irish found out that the Mexican families they were being forced to fight and kill were good people just like their own Irish families they followed their consciences and refused to participate in the killing of innocents.
Over a two day period the US Army lynched 50 members of the St. Patrick’s Brigade in what is considered to be the largest lynching in US military history and an example of national intolerance to the Irish.
Mexicans honor the San Patricios or St. Patricks Brigade with celebrations on September 12, the anniversary of their lynching by the US Army and March 17th.
Irish immigrants escaping famine joined the USA Army as a path to citizenship. From 1846 -1848 The United States annexation of Texas in 1845 was the primary cause of the Mexican American War.
When the Irish found out that the Mexican families they were being forced to fight and kill were good people just like their own Irish families they followed their consciences and refused to participate in the killing of innocents.
Over a two day period the US Army lynched 50 members of the St. Patrick’s Brigade in what is considered to be the largest lynching in US military history and an example of national intolerance to the Irish.
Mexicans honor the San Patricios or St. Patricks Brigade with celebrations on September 12, the anniversary of their lynching by the US Army and March 17th.
58
Einstein - fascinating...and horrific. But, thanks for sharing. I had never heard this.
11
Einstein you are misleading this board in labelling the San Patricios executions as lynchings. The San Patricios were deserters from the US Army who fought with the Mexicans. Many were executed for desertion and treason after their surrender.
I agree that the Mexican-American War was a baldfaced land grab by the US, encouraged by the Southern slavocracy. I even admire the San Patricios.
But as a matter of historical accuracy, they were not lynched.
I agree that the Mexican-American War was a baldfaced land grab by the US, encouraged by the Southern slavocracy. I even admire the San Patricios.
But as a matter of historical accuracy, they were not lynched.
8
Thanks for reminding us about the vicissitudes of the Mexican nationals in the American Southwest when they were terrorized as Isis is terrorizing Christians for being different to the dominant population.
We Americans have not accept certain historical trues about our attitudes towards our neighbors south of the border and if we can't understand them, because they speak Spanish, we are not going to understand the problems of the rest of the world.
Is the USA capable of understanding or accepting a breakaway Texas Republic or will it be similar to the Russia and Ukraine conflict?
We Americans have not accept certain historical trues about our attitudes towards our neighbors south of the border and if we can't understand them, because they speak Spanish, we are not going to understand the problems of the rest of the world.
Is the USA capable of understanding or accepting a breakaway Texas Republic or will it be similar to the Russia and Ukraine conflict?
11
My first thought was one of passionate anger; I’m calmed down somewhat now. Carrigan and Webb wrote clearly on this subject in 2003 in the Journal of Social History. For Workerbee and others who want facts, they exist and are plentiful. The article you would want to start with from this NY Times piece is "The Lynching of Persons of Mexican Origin or Descent in the United States, 1848 to 1928." Then Haney-López's "White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race. Obviously, I'm a passionate defender of those who continue to ignore those aspects of our heritage that aren't so nice, and especially our Mexican heritage. I suppose that Sam Huntington may have played a foundational role in the current anti-immigration and nativist xenophobic fury when he identified Spanish-speakers as a threat to our American heritage.
Carrigan and Webb again remind us of our factual heritage and from my perspective, it's not about how to correct the past, it's about how to avoid the actions that led to past violence for the survival of our future as a nation, the thing I call our national morality.
Thanks for reading my comments. I guess I'm not so calmed down after all.
Carrigan and Webb again remind us of our factual heritage and from my perspective, it's not about how to correct the past, it's about how to avoid the actions that led to past violence for the survival of our future as a nation, the thing I call our national morality.
Thanks for reading my comments. I guess I'm not so calmed down after all.
26
The great irony of the US is that for being a nation of immigrants, we have a long history of persecuting every new group. Xenophobia is as American as apple pie. Fueled by ignorance and bigotry.
35
Xenophobia is not American. It is human. We are tribal people and nothing will change this. Individuals can and do act differently than that but in the aggregate we are all pulled to one tribe and/or another.
6
Anti-Catholic riots in the 19th century which targeted immigrants who we consider "white" today - like Irish, Swedish, Italian communities were also not uncommon. These immigrants, despite today's revisionist history that they supposedly enjoyed the benefits of "white supremacy" from the moment they arrived in the U.S., were also victimized. Don't ignore this.
25
There are two or three prominent ideas "embedded" in the American psyche. The first is "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Less well-defined is "the American dream," doubtless related to the first. And finally there's "American exceptionalism."
If anyone, in any way, is perceived to stand in the way of any of these, God help them.
If anyone, in any way, is perceived to stand in the way of any of these, God help them.
15
On the one hand, this op-ed reminds me of the incredible capacity of H. sapiens for evil.
But in the modern debate over immigration, it's important for observers, and especially policy-makers to try to put themselves in the mindset of the Americans who are most affected by mass immigration--low/no-skilled workers, whose job categories and trades have been flooded by immigrants over the last several decades, and who have been losing their livelihoods to immigrants. As Chris Matthews of MSNBC told Margery Eagan and Jim Braude of Boston Public Radio, a lot of the hate in American politics today arises from people seeing their towns flooded by Hispanics. To put it another way, the country has indigestion over too much immigration.
And the Senate immigration bill wouild have nearly tripled legal immigration while doing nothing to stop illegal immigration. No wonder Republicans swept the midterm elections, and no wonder blue state Oregon voted 2 to 1 to kill drivers licenses for illegal immigrants.
But in the modern debate over immigration, it's important for observers, and especially policy-makers to try to put themselves in the mindset of the Americans who are most affected by mass immigration--low/no-skilled workers, whose job categories and trades have been flooded by immigrants over the last several decades, and who have been losing their livelihoods to immigrants. As Chris Matthews of MSNBC told Margery Eagan and Jim Braude of Boston Public Radio, a lot of the hate in American politics today arises from people seeing their towns flooded by Hispanics. To put it another way, the country has indigestion over too much immigration.
And the Senate immigration bill wouild have nearly tripled legal immigration while doing nothing to stop illegal immigration. No wonder Republicans swept the midterm elections, and no wonder blue state Oregon voted 2 to 1 to kill drivers licenses for illegal immigrants.
7
You state with some kind of certainty that "the Senate immigration bill wouild have nearly tripled legal immigration while doing nothing to stop illegal immigration."
Misinformation, conjecture and breathtaking ignorance?
A FOX News source?
ANY source? Surely not the Senate immigration bill.
Misinformation, conjecture and breathtaking ignorance?
A FOX News source?
ANY source? Surely not the Senate immigration bill.
6
While the history that this article relates is most unfortunate, the obvious question it raises is in relation to the Islamic State.
Rather than arming the Syrian moderates or starting another war, perhaps the United States should examine its own history in search for the seeds of social change. Today we consider civilization as a peaceful concept, but the hard reality is that for most of recorded history the civilizations created by man have been brutal in the scope of their violence.
Better understanding what caused them to change might be our best chance at neutralizing the rising extremism in today's world.
Rather than arming the Syrian moderates or starting another war, perhaps the United States should examine its own history in search for the seeds of social change. Today we consider civilization as a peaceful concept, but the hard reality is that for most of recorded history the civilizations created by man have been brutal in the scope of their violence.
Better understanding what caused them to change might be our best chance at neutralizing the rising extremism in today's world.
9
Today we consider civilization as a peaceful concept, but the hard reality is that for most of recorded history...
---------------
Not most my friend, all or of recorded history. This is who we are and who we will remain. Power corrupts and the corruption frequently includes finances and always includes morals.
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Not most my friend, all or of recorded history. This is who we are and who we will remain. Power corrupts and the corruption frequently includes finances and always includes morals.
2
As some of the comments point out, many Italian immigrants were lynched (not quite as many as Mexicans; I don't know the exact number, but I believe it is approximately 75, appalling nevertheless). Lynchings of Italians and Mexicans were clearly related to those of African Americans, and the relation of those groups to African Americans in the eyes of whites.
One large difference, however, that I don't see mentioned in the essay is that Mexicans, like Italians, if they were still citizens of those countries and the governments of those countries intervened in some cases. The somewhat well-known incident of 11 Sicilian immigrants being lynched while awaiting trial in a New Orleans prison in 1891 nearly resulted in an international incident between Italy and the US with the Italian consul general in New Orleans intervening. African Americans, on the other hand, did not have another nation to advocate on their behalf. That is not to say that all of these incidents are not equally appalling, but to point out a significant difference.
Nevertheless, this history, as well as America's true immigrant history are buried below layers of fluff. One hopes that historians will excavate more and fill high school textbooks with the information so we can better understand our collective history, both good and bad. You know, so we don't repeat it...
One large difference, however, that I don't see mentioned in the essay is that Mexicans, like Italians, if they were still citizens of those countries and the governments of those countries intervened in some cases. The somewhat well-known incident of 11 Sicilian immigrants being lynched while awaiting trial in a New Orleans prison in 1891 nearly resulted in an international incident between Italy and the US with the Italian consul general in New Orleans intervening. African Americans, on the other hand, did not have another nation to advocate on their behalf. That is not to say that all of these incidents are not equally appalling, but to point out a significant difference.
Nevertheless, this history, as well as America's true immigrant history are buried below layers of fluff. One hopes that historians will excavate more and fill high school textbooks with the information so we can better understand our collective history, both good and bad. You know, so we don't repeat it...
21
The authors are referring to 1890 mass lynching of 11 of 19 Italian Americans who had been indicted but not convicted for the murder of New Orleans Police Chief David C. Hennessy. The number of victims is often exaggerated. Undoubtedly, writers like William Carrigan and Clive Webb will one day refer the number as "untold thousands." The 19 were members or reputed members of the New Orleans Mafia, or “Black Hand” organization. After a key witnesses was deemed mentally unstable, the judge directed a and other witnesses refused to testify, presumably because they had been threaten by the Mafia, the judge directed a not guilty verdict. A mob broke into the city jail and lynched 11 of the defendants. The other eight managed to hide by seeking refuge in another part of the jail. The assassination probably was a Mafia hit, and most of the defendants were members of the criminal organization, but there were no reliable witnesses and therefore no proof.
2
Quite true. I recently attended a showing of a new documentary about Italian migration to California and the documentarian claimed that over 200 Italians were lynched in the USA.
5
It saddens me to read the determined ignorance in some of these comments, which is precisely why we need more articles like these from researchers like these. Since academics are required by their profession to document their sources, you can easily follow the trail yourself. If you want to question the veracity of their work after you've put a similar amount of time into researching the facts, then your comments might have some credibility. And, one article in a sea of thousands about white men does not make the NYT a hotbed of liberalism, nor did these authors make any mention of reparations, nor did they "whine" about the past--unless that's how you see the work of all historians. These kinds of objections and critiques are the classic defense of those who're used to being the center of the story and find it disturbing for the focus to be on anything other than likenesses of themselves. The real story of our whole human history has yet to be told which is why ignorance repeats itself.
73
Well said.
4
In this country no one wants to forget WW1, WWll, Pearl Harbor, Vietnam, Columbine, Colorado, the Holocaust, and more recently, 911. In fact, our favorite slogan seems to be "we will not forget," But talk about Civil Rights (Selma, etc), , the stealing of Native American lands, slavery and terrorist acts against minorities (such as lynching), and the conservatives fill these pages screaming against the "liberal press", demanding that we get over it. What history are the conservatives willing to accept?
156
So the "Wild" West really was wild, murderous, and violent, with rampant racism directed at Native Americans and Mexicans. That is a deplorable fact of our history but, not to disparage the article, hardly a revelation.
13
It is disconcerting to me to read about the Texas Rangers' involvement in this Texas atrocity however. All that great PR over the years and to see them as ignorant racists n this incident!
5
As one who is easily labeled white, I have heard any number of racist condemnations of Mexican Americans. Racism is a sad part of not only our history, but our present, that many prefer to ignore. One wonders how much the anti-Mexican racism would have any part in the opposition to immigration reform.
27
Maybe the public revelation of these atrocities serves as a reminder. I'm surprised that many commentators would rather not have the NYT "remind" us. The "past", is never really "past" us. Atrocities against "the other", have settled on milder forms of expression. Exclusionary practices in nearly every sphere of our public and cultural life persist. The big divisive issues of race and religion will continue to persist long after everyone of us has turned to dust. These NYT articles help foster a conversation which is much better than the alternative. By wading in and speaking up maybe we'll veer from the problematic normalization of racism.
93
Two wrongs do not make a right. However, the Mexican Federales, the Los Colorados, and various revolutionaries (Villa, et al) were much more wantonly brutal, killing Mexicans in Mexico, than the Texas Rangers and Texas ranchers. It's been tough down here on the border on both sides. Northerners do not understand and even glorify brutes like Pancho Villa.
2
I'm sure many of the murderers who lynched Mexicans would not consider themselves racists. They probably knew Mexicans they considered friends. That's the nature of biases. We may know members of the target group, but when we use fast, short cut ("common sense", "gut instinct") thinking we may participate in terrible actions in mobs that we would never carry out individually. Shankar Vedantam's "The Hidden Brain" and Daniel Kahneman's "Thinking Fast and Slow" may be helpful to understand this aspect of human behavior.
7
Some of those who lynched Mexicans were Mexicans or Mexicans Americans themselves. Mexicans and Mexican Americas also turned out to see Anglo lynched. Lynching was and still is more common in Mexico than in the United States. During the Mexican Revolution, it is said that bodies hung from every telegraph poll between Juarez and Chihuahua City.
3
It's a serious historical matter that deserves attention. I suppose two things occur to me after reading this interesting op-ed.
The first is that the tale of majorities grotesquely abusing minorities whose basic interests clash is not one limited to white-on-black, but is universal -- and not, I might add, unique to America but TRULY universal.
The second is that less attention may have been paid to lynched Mexicans than lynched blacks due to guilty interest: lynched blacks likely didn't appear as votes that southwest whites used to vote graveyards, while many lynched Mexican-Americans may have.
The first is that the tale of majorities grotesquely abusing minorities whose basic interests clash is not one limited to white-on-black, but is universal -- and not, I might add, unique to America but TRULY universal.
The second is that less attention may have been paid to lynched Mexicans than lynched blacks due to guilty interest: lynched blacks likely didn't appear as votes that southwest whites used to vote graveyards, while many lynched Mexican-Americans may have.
4
I completely agree with you. In my view, that's why there are serious limits to the value of teaching American history in the context of "exceptionalism." There are some things that are quite exceptional, or at least unusual, about our country. But there are others -- such as the treatment of minorities and the tensions and resolutions that occur when large numbers of people migrate and cultures meld -- which are, just as you say, truly universal. (I actually learned quite a bit about this from the work of black conservative Thomas Sowell.)
As for the issue of "guilty interest," I have sometimes wondered whether the fear that some express that Mexicans will want to conspire to recapture the US southwest might not be a recognition at some level that this part of America was in fact stolen. If the same thing had happened to those who are concerned about Mexican irredentism, perhaps they suspect they would now be leading an armed rebellion of their own.
As for the issue of "guilty interest," I have sometimes wondered whether the fear that some express that Mexicans will want to conspire to recapture the US southwest might not be a recognition at some level that this part of America was in fact stolen. If the same thing had happened to those who are concerned about Mexican irredentism, perhaps they suspect they would now be leading an armed rebellion of their own.
4
You are absolutely correct on the need for education, Richard. Just listen to Toby Keith's "Whiskey for My Men, Beer for My Horses" to see how little the American public understands about lynching.
2
I wonder how many of the "Mexicans" lynched were of Spanish (European) ancestry compared to those who were Native American. I suspect most of those lynched were in fact predominantly Native American.
12
Most Mexicans and Mexican Americans have Native American ancestry but DNA research shows most are of predominantly European descent. Anglo don't regard Mexicans or Mexican Americans as Native Americans. Native Americans don't regard Mexicans or Mexicans Americans as Native Americans.
4
Mobs also lynched immigrants of Eurpoean descent - even immigrants who we consider "white" today, like Italians. I recall that (white) members of the IWW International Workers of the World were lynched after World War I, some in their military uniform.
14
I am an Anglo Texan of multiple generations (six? seven? I lose count.) Also fancied myself a student of Texas history, reading whatever books I stumble upon. But I'd never hear of the Porvenir Massacre until earlier this year. I knew about the Texas Rangers' reign of terror but not that the Legislature ever actually did anything about it. This history has been whitewashed. (Texas schools have a mandatory entire year of Texas history -- nothing about the massacres mentioned.) I'll add a correction to the column: it's doubtful the Brite Ranch raid that "justified" the attack on Porvenir was even committed by Tejanos. Instead, an anglo stole livestock, then blamed Tejanos leading the Rangers and possibly U.S. troops to Porvenir. Another correction to some commentary: many of the victims of the violence in Texas were not even immigrants but here long before Anglos arrived, descended from Native American tribes such as the Jumanos.
54
Excellent points, Susan. We need evidenced-based, documented history to be taught wherever teaching happens, whether in a formal or informal setting. And out of respect of the many victims of racism and other types of prejudice and discrimination, the personal stories of these people deserve to be told. They and their families must not be forgotten. Let us honor them in historical memory and in making sure that these atrocities never happen again.
Excellent comments, Susan. Let's teach evidenced-based, documented history in schools so that there will be a greater awareness of what really happened in the past and how it lives on in the future. The personal stories of the victims of violence through racism and other types of prejudice should be told so that these people whose lives were taken from them will be honoured and won't be forgotten. The state governments of Texas and other states where the lynchings took place should offer public apologies as statements of historical regret. And there can be no complete closure, in my opinion, until the death penalty is abolished.
Excellent comments, Susan. Let's teach evidenced-based, documented history in schools so that there will be a greater awareness of what really happened in the past and how it lives on in the future. The personal stories of the victims of violence through racism and other types of prejudice should be told so that these people whose lives were taken from them will be honoured and won't be forgotten. The state governments of Texas and other states where the lynchings took place should offer public apologies as statements of historical regret. And there can be no complete closure, in my opinion, until the death penalty is abolished.
5
During the raid on the Brite Ranch Headquarters, foreman Sam Neill shot one of the Mexican raiders out of the saddle. The bandit killed was identified by the El Paso Morning Times as Antonio Avila. Eyewitnesses to the raid identified Avila as the leader because he was in front of the pack and he was the first man Sam Neill shot when the raiding party approached the ranch. He was part of the Chico Cano gang of cross-border raiders. The witnesses also identified "Pegleg" Renteria and Placido Villanueva as members of the raiders. The local ranchers and Texas Rangers suspected the inhabitants of Porvenir served the gang as accomplices. They descended on the town along with a troop of U.S. Calvary, but the Rangers did the actual killing while the troopers looked on. The Rangers who participated were fired but not prosecuted.
4
The evil that exists in the human heart defies racial and ethnic categorizations, and the victims of it are equally widespread. Among them:
Chinese and Japanese settlers in the West who were lynched.
Native Americans were widespread victims of lynching in America, and suffer numerous inequities to this day.
Some Italians were placed in the Japanese internment camps; Italians were also lynched in the South.
Jewish people and Whites were lynched throughout the country.
When any group has significant power, and is backed by the State, there is no end to the atrocities that group will perform. We see it everywhere in the world.
Chinese and Japanese settlers in the West who were lynched.
Native Americans were widespread victims of lynching in America, and suffer numerous inequities to this day.
Some Italians were placed in the Japanese internment camps; Italians were also lynched in the South.
Jewish people and Whites were lynched throughout the country.
When any group has significant power, and is backed by the State, there is no end to the atrocities that group will perform. We see it everywhere in the world.
4
We have to wait for the end of the piece, but surely everyone knows it is coming. What is the point of an article documenting lynchings from 100 to 150 years ago? The authors assure us that thousands were murdered, although records permit actual evidence for "only about 547 cases."
Yes, it was a violent time in the United States, for just about everyone, as Steven Pinker's latest book documents. The historical era depicted in this article begins little more than a decade after the Alamo slaughter. But really, what is the point?
And then we get it. "comparing the histories of the South and the West strengthens our understanding of mob violence in both. In today’s charged debate over immigration policy and the growth of the Latino population, the history of anti-Mexican violence reminds us of the costs and consequences of hate."
How, exactly, does comparing the histories strengthen our understanding? And how do the lynchings remind us of "the costs and consequences of hate" in "today's charged debate over immigration policy." Unless the author's point is that lawlessness, whether in the form of lynching or in the form of illegal immigration, is wrong. But of course, that isn't what they are suggesting at all. I suppose that their point, somehow, is that those who wish to see our nations borders enforced are somehow little better than wild west lynchers. And if so, they, and this newspaper, should be ashamed.
Yes, it was a violent time in the United States, for just about everyone, as Steven Pinker's latest book documents. The historical era depicted in this article begins little more than a decade after the Alamo slaughter. But really, what is the point?
And then we get it. "comparing the histories of the South and the West strengthens our understanding of mob violence in both. In today’s charged debate over immigration policy and the growth of the Latino population, the history of anti-Mexican violence reminds us of the costs and consequences of hate."
How, exactly, does comparing the histories strengthen our understanding? And how do the lynchings remind us of "the costs and consequences of hate" in "today's charged debate over immigration policy." Unless the author's point is that lawlessness, whether in the form of lynching or in the form of illegal immigration, is wrong. But of course, that isn't what they are suggesting at all. I suppose that their point, somehow, is that those who wish to see our nations borders enforced are somehow little better than wild west lynchers. And if so, they, and this newspaper, should be ashamed.
14
It is true - some of those who vehemently wish to see 'our nations borders' enforced by killing and violence are somehow little better than wild west lynchers. Actually, it is just as bad.
11
If you truly don't understand the point of the article, I would suggest that it is you who should be ashamed.
12
Not all violence is motivated by racism. In the early nineteenth century, for example, English union organizers and other civil activists were set upon by people whose skin color was much the same as their own. Other "isms" were found to explain and rationalize.
American history has similar examples. However, since there have always been many races here, it's easy to pull out racism as the primary cause. Sometimes this obscures other causes and (intentionally or not) prevents them from being addressed.
American history has similar examples. However, since there have always been many races here, it's easy to pull out racism as the primary cause. Sometimes this obscures other causes and (intentionally or not) prevents them from being addressed.
7
Some commentators criticizing this article are offering the following types of arguments. Note how each of these seeks to deflect attention away from the substantive issues raised by the article.
1) Human history is full of violence by one group against another
2) Past violence was somehow more justifiable/acceptable than current violence
3) The dominant race/group was suffering/is suffering too.
The weakness of these arguments suggests that the article has made some people uncomfortable -- could it be those who have been forced to confront the roots of their current privilege?
1) Human history is full of violence by one group against another
2) Past violence was somehow more justifiable/acceptable than current violence
3) The dominant race/group was suffering/is suffering too.
The weakness of these arguments suggests that the article has made some people uncomfortable -- could it be those who have been forced to confront the roots of their current privilege?
34
When we look at the atrocities happening in the Middle East we say that they are due to some warped ideology. Our ancestors commited very similar atrocities. The article descibes a burning identical to the recent fate of the Jordanian pilot. Reflecting on how we (to some extent) finally came to our senses can perhaps guide us to a better understanding of stopping violence against the helpless.
12
"Mexican raiders committed a series of assaults on the economic infrastructure of the Lower Rio Grande Valley". That has got to be some sort of record obfuscation.
The raiders attacked ranches, killed ranchers and workers, stole livestock, and burned homes and barns. In one instance, after the Norias raid (1915) where the Mexicans were driven off after a furious, deadly battle, the Mexican bandit leaders put bounties on the heads of the King Ranch defenders. Among these were Longorio (2), Solis, and Albert Edmonds (African-American).
The were "Mexicans" on both sides in the Rio Grande border wars, 1836-1920. Some were US & Texas citizens and some were Mexican citizens.
I also like the use of "thousands" as a synonym for "unknown number".
The raiders attacked ranches, killed ranchers and workers, stole livestock, and burned homes and barns. In one instance, after the Norias raid (1915) where the Mexicans were driven off after a furious, deadly battle, the Mexican bandit leaders put bounties on the heads of the King Ranch defenders. Among these were Longorio (2), Solis, and Albert Edmonds (African-American).
The were "Mexicans" on both sides in the Rio Grande border wars, 1836-1920. Some were US & Texas citizens and some were Mexican citizens.
I also like the use of "thousands" as a synonym for "unknown number".
5
But the lynched weren't part of the raiding - and you know it. And of all people, Rangers were supposed to uphold the law, not break it.
As for "thousands", a footnote from Richard Delgado's Law of the Noose: A History of Latino Lynching: "Rodolfo Acun ̃a, Crocodile Tears: Lynching of Mexicans, HISPANICVISTA.COM (Jul. 20, 2005), reprinted in LATINOS AND THE LAW, supra note 11, at 207 (giving similar number [597] but going on to mention that many more Mexicans and Mexican Americans may have been murdered for reasons similar to those motivating lynching; the line between the two crimes is indistinct)".
As for "thousands", a footnote from Richard Delgado's Law of the Noose: A History of Latino Lynching: "Rodolfo Acun ̃a, Crocodile Tears: Lynching of Mexicans, HISPANICVISTA.COM (Jul. 20, 2005), reprinted in LATINOS AND THE LAW, supra note 11, at 207 (giving similar number [597] but going on to mention that many more Mexicans and Mexican Americans may have been murdered for reasons similar to those motivating lynching; the line between the two crimes is indistinct)".
9
Thanks for this very important addition to our understanding of American History. The thread that ties these incidents to those directed at African Americans, as well as other people of color is one of violence and economic exploitation.
While there is much to celebrate about American history and culture there are also deep wounds and persisting flaws that fester like untreated sores. Bringing these stories to light will hopefully create an understanding of how this history castes a dark shadow over current polices and practices.
Extra-judicail violence has certainly decreased in our society, but the control of the "other" has seen a shift to our police, prisons and courts. As we read this story on lynching today's paper carries an account of a Mexican man shot down by police for throwing rocks at cars. True, it's not the same as lynching, but...?
While there is much to celebrate about American history and culture there are also deep wounds and persisting flaws that fester like untreated sores. Bringing these stories to light will hopefully create an understanding of how this history castes a dark shadow over current polices and practices.
Extra-judicail violence has certainly decreased in our society, but the control of the "other" has seen a shift to our police, prisons and courts. As we read this story on lynching today's paper carries an account of a Mexican man shot down by police for throwing rocks at cars. True, it's not the same as lynching, but...?
10
This needs to be reported. I am a sixth generation American of Mexican descent, born and raised in the lower Rio Grande Valley. This area has had a very small African American population but since I was a child I felt a kinship with that community, as a teenager I felt an empathy when I saw the news reports of the struggles for civil rights in the South because my community was also embedded and suffered from the bigotry of the white community, which in our case was the minority in terms of numbers but were the majority stakeholders in terms of power and wealth.
13
Many people are distressed by hearing about this part of American history--violence toward those who stood in the way of the objectives of those who became murderers. I am distressed also, but also fascinated. I don't want this to be silenced because it provides a window into the minds of Americans in those times. I don't take it personally that these events occurred or see it as a sign of American badness. No people is all good or all bad. But each group has its periods of violence and injustice.
I don't feel personally responsible for the sins of those so distantly related (we are all cousins), but do feel responsible to understand my own history and the history of my people. I don't experience personal shame about what took place, but am saddened by the suffering of all involved.
These stories are part of the American story, not all of it. I welcome their dissemination so that more people can know of this aspect of our history. A sanitized and censored version of history doesn't do us much good. There is room for celebration of our greatness as a people as well as knowing our collective faults and failings.
I don't feel personally responsible for the sins of those so distantly related (we are all cousins), but do feel responsible to understand my own history and the history of my people. I don't experience personal shame about what took place, but am saddened by the suffering of all involved.
These stories are part of the American story, not all of it. I welcome their dissemination so that more people can know of this aspect of our history. A sanitized and censored version of history doesn't do us much good. There is room for celebration of our greatness as a people as well as knowing our collective faults and failings.
14
The article does a good job of bringing to our attention a neglected part of our history: the lynching of Mexican Americans in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries. The comments also are fascinating--especially by those who seem to be offended by this article and others who urge us to leave this in the past or who accuse the authors of stirring the pot [of ethnic resentment and animosity].
Hanging over this is the question: of what use is history, and especially that history that identifies perpetrators and victims and violence that all of us can agree contradicts what we stand for as a nation? The answer is not, as some commentators fear, to promote a historical scorecard of who was victimized by whom, or to suggest that the sins of (mostly) fathers should be visited upon their sons and daughters. But this history reminds us to be alert for the hypocrisy of those who do not recognize these historical wrongs. And it is about recognizing that Mexican Americans (and others viewed as "less than") were especially vulnerable to having their due process rights ignored--something that still happens. That Mexican Americans are not the only ones who have suffered historical wrongs does not erase the significance of these events. The point is to learn from history, not wallow in it.
Hanging over this is the question: of what use is history, and especially that history that identifies perpetrators and victims and violence that all of us can agree contradicts what we stand for as a nation? The answer is not, as some commentators fear, to promote a historical scorecard of who was victimized by whom, or to suggest that the sins of (mostly) fathers should be visited upon their sons and daughters. But this history reminds us to be alert for the hypocrisy of those who do not recognize these historical wrongs. And it is about recognizing that Mexican Americans (and others viewed as "less than") were especially vulnerable to having their due process rights ignored--something that still happens. That Mexican Americans are not the only ones who have suffered historical wrongs does not erase the significance of these events. The point is to learn from history, not wallow in it.
71
"From 1848 to 1928, mobs murdered thousands of Mexicans, though surviving records allowed us to clearly document only about 547 cases."
The authors, college professors, need to cite sources instead of using the vague term "thousands" to sensationalize the lynching phenomenon. If they can "clearly document" 547 cases, what information are they using to justify the claim of "thousands"? The same absence of documented evidence exists for researchers who write about lynchings of blacks. Lynchings were informal gatherings, often in isolated rural areas where there was no news media, so there simply isn't sufficient evidence available today to definitively substantiate claims of "thousands" of lynchings. Also, if you carefully study some of the few remaining photographs that were taken of lynchings, you'll notice that there were often several blacks among the onlookers, even when the victim was black.
The authors, college professors, need to cite sources instead of using the vague term "thousands" to sensationalize the lynching phenomenon. If they can "clearly document" 547 cases, what information are they using to justify the claim of "thousands"? The same absence of documented evidence exists for researchers who write about lynchings of blacks. Lynchings were informal gatherings, often in isolated rural areas where there was no news media, so there simply isn't sufficient evidence available today to definitively substantiate claims of "thousands" of lynchings. Also, if you carefully study some of the few remaining photographs that were taken of lynchings, you'll notice that there were often several blacks among the onlookers, even when the victim was black.
8
Is this a serious critique? Just like in releasing statistics about disease you cannot report confirmed cases as the true predictor of prevalence of a disease. Confirmed cases are only a percentage, a predictable one, of actual disease in a given population. Same here. Also the fact that you mention blacks as being among the onlookers just shows how powerless the population was at the time. It is a lot easier to make reasons to minimize the past then to look at it honestly and learn.
22
I would think that even the documented number would appall you as it does me. Instead, you seem more concerned over a claim that might/not be true.
And yes, there were blacks occasionally among those who were watching lynchings. By being there, it is very likely they would then be able to give a more accurate description to other blacks about how it happened, what happened, and even what whites they recognized were at the lynching.
They also could have been relatives trying their best to offer solace to the victim by their presence, as we do at funerals for the grieving family. Don't always put a negative spin on what you don't fully understand.
And yes, there were blacks occasionally among those who were watching lynchings. By being there, it is very likely they would then be able to give a more accurate description to other blacks about how it happened, what happened, and even what whites they recognized were at the lynching.
They also could have been relatives trying their best to offer solace to the victim by their presence, as we do at funerals for the grieving family. Don't always put a negative spin on what you don't fully understand.
12
I was raised in the segregated South, left it to go to college in CA and stayed away until about ten years ago. Lynchings were more common than most people will admit to or even know. Neighbors, business owners, even my own family members (mostly men) spoke of them, organized them, and attended them with as much enthusiasm as going to a Saturday night dance.
The majority of the victims were African-American men, however, I remember instances where the victims were Mexican, Asian, Jewish and Gay.
I had opportunities to witness these crimes but, unlike some cousins and classmates, I was afraid and I could not understand (and never will) the weird combination of hatred and glee that the onlookers and lynchers shared.
I know people took photos, I have a cousin who has a prized collection of white supremacy memorabilia. I cannot stomach the sight of any of it, but his photos would show the people who attended and I sincerely believe there were few, if any, African-Americans that would have willingly participated.
The majority of the victims were African-American men, however, I remember instances where the victims were Mexican, Asian, Jewish and Gay.
I had opportunities to witness these crimes but, unlike some cousins and classmates, I was afraid and I could not understand (and never will) the weird combination of hatred and glee that the onlookers and lynchers shared.
I know people took photos, I have a cousin who has a prized collection of white supremacy memorabilia. I cannot stomach the sight of any of it, but his photos would show the people who attended and I sincerely believe there were few, if any, African-Americans that would have willingly participated.
12
I have more than enough guilt already. Can't even overcome my own shortcoming so I definitely cannot take on the sins of my fathers.
17
The authors are not asking you to take on anyone else's sins of the past. But you might understand the present better if you were informed about and understood the past and how it reaches into the present. Do you take pride in your disregard of the past?
12
This is a very important point. You did not commit or even support these acts so you bear no responsibility or guilt.
BUT...there is still a point to the study of history. First, we see ways that bad things happen and, hopefully, can learn to avoid similar things. Second we can clarify our own narratives of history so we don't learn the wrong lessons (the southwest wasn't an empty quarter that happened to be settled by people who moved there; this is what happens when groups collide).
BUT...there is still a point to the study of history. First, we see ways that bad things happen and, hopefully, can learn to avoid similar things. Second we can clarify our own narratives of history so we don't learn the wrong lessons (the southwest wasn't an empty quarter that happened to be settled by people who moved there; this is what happens when groups collide).
5
Poorly written. I assume one of the points was to connect the idea that the English settlers that arrived in Texas from the 1830s onwards and, in many cases, violated the terms of their immigration to Texas, came to lynch the people whose land and rights they took illegally when those subjugated tried to reclaim land and rights. My mother, a seventh generation Texan whose family arrived in South Texas in 1759 and founded a town along the border, was not allowed to stay in certain dorms at Texas A&I Kingsville in the early 1960s because she was Mexican. She was also not served meals in certain restaurants in San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth for the very same reason. Her family escaped the inquisition in Spain by coming to the New World and generations later, as a Hispanic Catholic, faced discrimination once again.
17
A dear friend who was Mexican-American served in the Korean Conflict (war) and when he finally returned to the USA, his first thought was to go have a beer with a friend he would meet at this bar.
He was wearing his uniform with the master sgt. stripes and several ribbons on his chest. He walked into the bar, and several patrons stood up and blocked his entrance. The barman loudly told him they didn't serve ****** in there and he better get out if he knew what was good for him.
So much for fighting to save other Americans from the Chinese and North Korean communists.
He was wearing his uniform with the master sgt. stripes and several ribbons on his chest. He walked into the bar, and several patrons stood up and blocked his entrance. The barman loudly told him they didn't serve ****** in there and he better get out if he knew what was good for him.
So much for fighting to save other Americans from the Chinese and North Korean communists.
13
While there is value in history and perspective, there also has to be understanding of place and time.
We had emerging law enforcement and legal systems and emotions ran high when a perceived crime was committed. Just like in Ferguson. People wanted action and revenge - regardless of the actual guilt or facts on the ground.
Sometimes it does seem like threats to survival are eternal as as Jews remember during Passover and Purim, the players have remained eerily the same. Nonetheless, we acknowledge history as history and current events as current events.
Lynching was an abomination and so was slavery in our past, but today -right now - we are standing by as slavery continues in Africa and SE Asia and beheadings, executions and kidnappings and rape of children becomes old news in a day.
How about taking note - and perhaps pride - in the fact that this is not the case here and not trying to link current actions to past behaviors. I really don't know why the Times continues focus on establishing a time line that shows only the bad and none of the good.
We had emerging law enforcement and legal systems and emotions ran high when a perceived crime was committed. Just like in Ferguson. People wanted action and revenge - regardless of the actual guilt or facts on the ground.
Sometimes it does seem like threats to survival are eternal as as Jews remember during Passover and Purim, the players have remained eerily the same. Nonetheless, we acknowledge history as history and current events as current events.
Lynching was an abomination and so was slavery in our past, but today -right now - we are standing by as slavery continues in Africa and SE Asia and beheadings, executions and kidnappings and rape of children becomes old news in a day.
How about taking note - and perhaps pride - in the fact that this is not the case here and not trying to link current actions to past behaviors. I really don't know why the Times continues focus on establishing a time line that shows only the bad and none of the good.
7
There's a phrase, I think attributed to a philosopher that says "those who cannot remember the past are bound to repeat it."
The purpose of these articles is not to "show only the bad." It is to show a fuller, more complete and honest history of our country. Pick up any high school or college text on US history and these stories of lynching are mostly absent. They instead emphasize a triumphalist view of history.
These lynchings against Mexicans or African Americans spanning 70 or 80 years were not simply crimes. They were systems of social control. They affected labor and labor rights. They governed land distribution, credit rules and social interactions of all varieties. They sent the message to communities of color that there was law and there was also "white law" and that you better conform to the norms of both. If you failed, violence could be sudden and range from a simple assault, for which there was no recourse, to being beaten to death, burned alive or hung.
We think of this level of irrational violence as only coming from groups like ISIS or stories of Nazi atrocities from WWII. Sadly many come from our grand parents and great grandparents and all have shaped our present social and political landscape.
The purpose of these stories isn't to denigrate America, its to heal America. Wounds don't heal without the cleansing power of light and souls don't rest without the cleansing power of truth.
The purpose of these articles is not to "show only the bad." It is to show a fuller, more complete and honest history of our country. Pick up any high school or college text on US history and these stories of lynching are mostly absent. They instead emphasize a triumphalist view of history.
These lynchings against Mexicans or African Americans spanning 70 or 80 years were not simply crimes. They were systems of social control. They affected labor and labor rights. They governed land distribution, credit rules and social interactions of all varieties. They sent the message to communities of color that there was law and there was also "white law" and that you better conform to the norms of both. If you failed, violence could be sudden and range from a simple assault, for which there was no recourse, to being beaten to death, burned alive or hung.
We think of this level of irrational violence as only coming from groups like ISIS or stories of Nazi atrocities from WWII. Sadly many come from our grand parents and great grandparents and all have shaped our present social and political landscape.
The purpose of these stories isn't to denigrate America, its to heal America. Wounds don't heal without the cleansing power of light and souls don't rest without the cleansing power of truth.
23
There are exceptions to "American Exceptionalism."
3
Although I believe we need to have a sober, realistic view of our history in order to learn from it, don't you think the accompanying illustration is a bit over the top? It's more worthy of a poster one might see in Tehran or Pyongyang.
7
But not here...
Americans lynched individuals from every group who was "different" - racially, ethnically, religiously, politically, and sexually - as well as the "Native Americans," who were just in the way of the ambitions of the "civilized" Northern European "settlers." My Italian grandparents immigrated a decade before Sacco and Vanzetti were lynched by a rabid judicial system for being Italian anarchists (the worst kind, it was felt).
It's true that we're no worse than people from other nations, but it gets tiring for the rest of the world to hear that we're better. Bigotry exists in the way humans are wired, and must be addressed and overcome by all of us.
No, I don't think its over the top.
Americans lynched individuals from every group who was "different" - racially, ethnically, religiously, politically, and sexually - as well as the "Native Americans," who were just in the way of the ambitions of the "civilized" Northern European "settlers." My Italian grandparents immigrated a decade before Sacco and Vanzetti were lynched by a rabid judicial system for being Italian anarchists (the worst kind, it was felt).
It's true that we're no worse than people from other nations, but it gets tiring for the rest of the world to hear that we're better. Bigotry exists in the way humans are wired, and must be addressed and overcome by all of us.
No, I don't think its over the top.
17
The other.
Whether it's race, religion, sex, class, income, politics, culture, language...it can enrich us or embed us in fear.
These differences are always present, and challenge us. A clearer reframe of history helps us realize we are all active participants in a bias-based legacy and world frought with alarming ideologies, beliefs and, often, sanctioned bigotry.
A deeper understanding of how we 'got here' will help identify where we need to go.
Whether it's race, religion, sex, class, income, politics, culture, language...it can enrich us or embed us in fear.
These differences are always present, and challenge us. A clearer reframe of history helps us realize we are all active participants in a bias-based legacy and world frought with alarming ideologies, beliefs and, often, sanctioned bigotry.
A deeper understanding of how we 'got here' will help identify where we need to go.
16
History is filled with instances of violent, oppressive behavior of people who were competing with other people for primacy. The most successful conquerors of other people during the past few centuries were whites of European descent. Jared Diamond's book, "Guns, Germs and Steel" offers an excellent analysis of the types of factors that enabled whites to basically conquer the world with particularly harsh treatment of indigenous populations outside of Europe.
So what's the point the authors are trying to make? That whites are just inherently evil and people of the 21st century should apply current morality to the actions of people of the 19th and earlier centuries?
The American west of the 19th century was a violent period populated by violent people. Vicious battles were fought among Mexicans, American Indians, American whites (including many displaced confederates) and European adventurers. Law was often who had the most guns.
History is valuable for us to learn from that history. We must document the facts of the periods and try to understand the causal factors of human events. However, the effort to apply 21st century morality to events in the past is just not very useful.
So what's the point the authors are trying to make? That whites are just inherently evil and people of the 21st century should apply current morality to the actions of people of the 19th and earlier centuries?
The American west of the 19th century was a violent period populated by violent people. Vicious battles were fought among Mexicans, American Indians, American whites (including many displaced confederates) and European adventurers. Law was often who had the most guns.
History is valuable for us to learn from that history. We must document the facts of the periods and try to understand the causal factors of human events. However, the effort to apply 21st century morality to events in the past is just not very useful.
25
I think the only thing that history can teach us is that we should not be shocked and condemn others for what we once were. We can only hope one day they and us can learn not to hate each other based on race, religion, greed, politics, sex or sexual orientation. That would truly lead to happier, more prosperous world for us all to live in.
1
"However, the effort to apply 21st century morality to events in the past is just not very useful." This a Cop out. When the truth comes out we cannot continue to describe others as "those violent people" or "people who kill without mercy" or any of the judgments we apply to people who commit abhorrent acts of violence today. We are tainted by the same brush.
In other words the American exceptionalism touted by Giuliani and others is debunked. Mirror mirror on the wall.
Is it uncomfortable? Sure but our history books have been for a long while incomplete and untrue because they have always been written from a white Eurocentric perspective. Of course for people in Texas and Oklahoma the inclusion of historical facts other than those of white people must be excluded as evidenced by their recent legislative rulings on what goes into social studies text books.
In other words the American exceptionalism touted by Giuliani and others is debunked. Mirror mirror on the wall.
Is it uncomfortable? Sure but our history books have been for a long while incomplete and untrue because they have always been written from a white Eurocentric perspective. Of course for people in Texas and Oklahoma the inclusion of historical facts other than those of white people must be excluded as evidenced by their recent legislative rulings on what goes into social studies text books.
9
In reply to TDurk's final sentence that applying "twentieth century morality to events in the past is not very useful." The premise is that it is somehow unfair to the past generations to apply current moral rules to their acts. Your remarks betray historical ignorance and moral obscurity. Take the Civil War as an example and the issue of prisoner exchanges between the combatants. When black soldiers were captured they were either sent back into slavery in chains or murdered on the spot, as at the massacre of 300 blacks at Fort Pillow. Union officials asked the South to exchange black soldiers man for man alongside whites. The South refused numerous requests. In response Order 100 was drafted in 1863 by the Lincoln administration which codified the rule of law as applied to war. Lincoln's code, as it is known, specifically mandated nondiscrimination in prisoner exchanges, as well as condemning the murder of captives as a criminal act. The South rejected the code and continued to murder captured black soldiers. If the South's terms for exchange would have been accepted many of the 55000 union soldiers who died as prisoners in camps would have lived. Lincoln refused the South's terms because justice required precedence over humanitarian concerns. What standards was Lincoln applying to southern criminals, if not 20th century ones? Also, lynchings occurred in states where a functioning legal system existed and states had laws against it, hardly enforced.
6
Humanity has become an integral, global system in which all are interdependent. Each person’s concerns or issues have become mingled, blended and fused with those originating from separate parts of the world, albeit in “seemingly” different societal settings with contrasting customs and traditions. We have become "socially connected" through innovations in communication and transportation, "interdependent" through our economic and political ties and even our neighborhoods and families have become commingled and intermarried. It’s obvious that today, each person must recognize the nature of the world we live in and realize that in the 21st century, one’s fate depends on "one’s attitude toward other people."
From this perspective, it becomes clear that the new world appearing before us is "not one that requires just a material, financial, political or social solution." Rather, first and foremost, it requires an "educational solution." The solution must come from an "all encompassing human right’s" or “united we stand perspective." It’s most appropriately described as "mutual responsibility and it’s integral education."
From this perspective, it becomes clear that the new world appearing before us is "not one that requires just a material, financial, political or social solution." Rather, first and foremost, it requires an "educational solution." The solution must come from an "all encompassing human right’s" or “united we stand perspective." It’s most appropriately described as "mutual responsibility and it’s integral education."
14
What's the difference between the "white mob" described, and a "black gang" or a "Mexican gang"? None of the groups describe the race, they are all subsets of troublemakers within each race.
15
One is part of a systemic oppression and the others are merely convenient associations in order to commit crimes. This isn't difficult to understand, unless you are willfully ignorant of racism and it's violence.
9
State-sanctioned violence is an act of a "subset"?
4
This is so much a part of the liberal ideology to a) blame America and white males for all the evils of the world, and b) show the moral equivalency of whatever is happening today to something of equal evil that occurred some time ago and, of course, was perpetrated by white American males. President Obama's worthless speech yesterday echoed much of the same empty rhetoric. Hopefully, the American people -- all of them, not the balkanized versions espoused by these two writers and the NY Times in general -- are beginning to see the vacuousness of this bogus ideology of self-loathing.
17
Jack, you could make a better point if you didn't go off the rails yourself. Calling attention to the errors made in the past by some, to show that lynching seriously affected other racial/ethnic groups besides Afro-americans is not blaming "America and white males for all the evils of the world." The l"liberal ideology" you mischaracterize is to continue the process of forming "a more perfect union." As Thomas Hardy put it, “If a way to the Better there be, it exacts a full look at the Worst.”
15
A more comprehensive history (of anything) isn't self-loathing, it's about knowledge and how it can help inform us about future decisions.
You shouldn't be threatened by it, in fact it might help you understand why using 'liberal' stereo-types comforts you.
You shouldn't be threatened by it, in fact it might help you understand why using 'liberal' stereo-types comforts you.
12
Me, I see the vacuousness of the bogus ideology of American exceptionalism.
7
You can always count on the Brits to deliver the best American histories-as- door-stops. Gentleman the following renders your work meaningless and quite frankly you have no right whatever to mention a similiar study which did indeed document (not theorize over) the murder of African Americans.
"mobs murdered thousands of Mexicans, though surviving records allowed us to clearly document only about 547 cases". In other words you simply don't know and yes it makes a difference.
Their is a difference of catagory between the Mexican and African experience. If you don't believe me by all means examine the Texas Independence memorial at San Jacinto, a full third of the names are Spanish. I am not suggesting that the Mexican experience thereafter was all pinatas and hard candy simply that it is different and it would seem I'm correct because after using the standard research methodology (presumably) you came up with a guesstamate instead of scholarship.
It is like the president said you have examined criminality or extremism whose "root causes" include among other things economic opportunism, pure thuggery and yes racism. The white experience in the deep south was one of exestential hatred toward blacks. You can see the difference if you don't you have no buisness studying my country
"mobs murdered thousands of Mexicans, though surviving records allowed us to clearly document only about 547 cases". In other words you simply don't know and yes it makes a difference.
Their is a difference of catagory between the Mexican and African experience. If you don't believe me by all means examine the Texas Independence memorial at San Jacinto, a full third of the names are Spanish. I am not suggesting that the Mexican experience thereafter was all pinatas and hard candy simply that it is different and it would seem I'm correct because after using the standard research methodology (presumably) you came up with a guesstamate instead of scholarship.
It is like the president said you have examined criminality or extremism whose "root causes" include among other things economic opportunism, pure thuggery and yes racism. The white experience in the deep south was one of exestential hatred toward blacks. You can see the difference if you don't you have no buisness studying my country
4
Did you know that the largest mass lynching in US history occurred in 1891 in New Orleans and the victims were legal Italian immigrants? Of course not. It doesn't fit the script.
17
actually, in the second paragraph he mentions Italians:
"One dimension of mob violence that is often overlooked, however, is that lynchers targeted many other racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, including Native Americans, Italians, Chinese and, especially, Mexicans."
And, yes, it DOES fit the script, which is white American people discarding the rule of law and taking justice in their own hands and murdering people who they considered different enough from them. And, they most certainly didn't think Italians were white. And, it is but one of many instances of Italian immigrants being lynched in this country.
"One dimension of mob violence that is often overlooked, however, is that lynchers targeted many other racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, including Native Americans, Italians, Chinese and, especially, Mexicans."
And, yes, it DOES fit the script, which is white American people discarding the rule of law and taking justice in their own hands and murdering people who they considered different enough from them. And, they most certainly didn't think Italians were white. And, it is but one of many instances of Italian immigrants being lynched in this country.
18
I doubt it. Ever heard of Rosewood FL
3
This is at least the second time I've read a report about a report with no link to the actual information. Here it is, bottom on the page you download the pdf:
http://www.eji.org/node/1040
It's a great site with other solid work relating to justice in America. The report is absolutely shocking, the newspaper headlines of the day will ruin your breakfast.
http://www.eji.org/node/1040
It's a great site with other solid work relating to justice in America. The report is absolutely shocking, the newspaper headlines of the day will ruin your breakfast.
13
A need to know - history our hate.
5
Well done Dr Carrigan on bringing forward an important issue. We can only move forward by understanding our past and coming to terms with it. Thanks for your dedication and research.
22
Organised violence is not a uniquely American phenomenon, and this writer certainly does not portray lynching as "American". If his writing gets under the skin of some readers, it's because in today's propaganda-led world, most Americans are only told what they want to hear when it fits the prescribed narrative of the dominant class. People have been conditioned to be offended because that is what the propaganda machine uses to keep people angry an misinformed. Bringing up other examples or group violence does not mitigate what happened any more than needlessly taking offense does. What happened was wrong. I wasn't there, and neither were any of the people able to comment.
Minorities have been subject to this treatment world-wide. Lynching is an excellent example of what happens when mobs rule, and the rule of law applies only to the people in power. Let's hope this lesson is learned, so we don't repeat it again. The next time someone screams that "those people" are not worth keeping alive, please remember that's exactly what the lynchers thought.
Minorities have been subject to this treatment world-wide. Lynching is an excellent example of what happens when mobs rule, and the rule of law applies only to the people in power. Let's hope this lesson is learned, so we don't repeat it again. The next time someone screams that "those people" are not worth keeping alive, please remember that's exactly what the lynchers thought.
42
Did white mobs lynch whites too? Has anyone ever tabulated/estimated lynchings by race?
3
Italians, Irish, Jews, union workers - - the history is there if you look.
4
The mighty abuse their power in a state of lawlessness and minorities are scapegoated and persecuted. How is this different form what's going on in parts of Africa and the Middle east today?
8
A truthful look at our history makes me question some Americans' fear of Islam. We have committed dreadful crimes going back to our earliest days. We don't teach our children about them, rather we sweep them under the rug and should someone talk or write about them they are perceived to be anti-American. We have a great country but it would be a lot stronger if we taught the truth about our history.
27
Someone in my family had a standoff with the KKK before WW2. The KKK were in hoods. It happened in Lincoln NE. He and the people who were threatened were white German Catholic immigrants. The family story is that he and his 2 friends stood the KKK down and the KKK dispersed. But maybe if he had been a different race the end would have been murder.
24
Lets explode this "regionalism" perpetual motion machine. The concept of region is unhelpful. It has become a rhetorical device to differentiate and distinguish an argument where no differentiation is warranted. Region as a concept distorts the reality of migration and interconnection.
I wish at least one History Grad student who was brave enough to take out student loans to pursue a dream of writing good history would differentiate herself by not nodding her head reflexively every time her professor starts blabbing on about the importance of Region.
Perhaps She could distinguish herself by showing the interconnections between anglo elite lynchers who lived in the Rio Grande Valley and the anglo elite lynchers who lived along the Mississippi or the Chattahoochee river. Now is the time to map the family migration routes, catalogue the letters sent back and forth between Brownsville and Birmingham. Now is the time to ask... Did the Lynchers in Wyoming and Kansas spring fully formed out of "Wind Cave"? Or did they come from Appalachia? Did they cross the Mississippi carry with them a set of attitudes and grievances as old as the troubles in Ireland?
In the face of such questions the idea of the southwest as distinct from the south collapses in so far as racial violence is concerned.
I wish at least one History Grad student who was brave enough to take out student loans to pursue a dream of writing good history would differentiate herself by not nodding her head reflexively every time her professor starts blabbing on about the importance of Region.
Perhaps She could distinguish herself by showing the interconnections between anglo elite lynchers who lived in the Rio Grande Valley and the anglo elite lynchers who lived along the Mississippi or the Chattahoochee river. Now is the time to map the family migration routes, catalogue the letters sent back and forth between Brownsville and Birmingham. Now is the time to ask... Did the Lynchers in Wyoming and Kansas spring fully formed out of "Wind Cave"? Or did they come from Appalachia? Did they cross the Mississippi carry with them a set of attitudes and grievances as old as the troubles in Ireland?
In the face of such questions the idea of the southwest as distinct from the south collapses in so far as racial violence is concerned.
4
I married a Mexican-American from El Paso, TX. She was a US Air Force veteran (flight nurse) from the Vietnam era and her father was a POW during World War II in Germany. My best man was an African-American from New York state, a Vietnam veteran, a US Army cardiologist (at the time), and the best teacher I ever had. I was the product of the South which included education in a two room school in Boston, TN. Progress, I guess.
18
Our history of lynchings is clear
We don't like minorities here,
Color or religion
Puts us in moods stygian,
Non lookalikes we badly fear.
We don't like minorities here,
Color or religion
Puts us in moods stygian,
Non lookalikes we badly fear.
18
Based on this column, Rudy Giuliani will decide that the NYTimes doesn't love America. Ditto the State of Oklahoma.
26
Sounds like the Old Testament.
4
My father, a Norwegian immigrant, used to declare that the white man is a rapscaleous creature. But my opinion is that men are rapscaleous creatures. Violence seems to be their go to solution for solving problems. Looking at every civilization in the world, I am convinced this is a human problem not a race problem. It is tribal and base. The world now is just very interconnected, and will force races to work together or we will just bludgeon each other until a winner is left standing. The latest research on evolution is uncovering that our altruistic nature will be the winner. It better show up soon.
75
So what is the point? We can go back in history and look for many, many examples of dreadful things done by people to their neighbors, the minorities in their midst, in time of war, of famine or of religious persecution. We are not responsible for the crimes of our fathers. The fact that this does not happen now is testament to how far we have come. To forget is wrong, to stir the pot is also wrong. So now you want our Hispanic citizens to demand redress for the actions of a few from long ago? Sort of like reparations right? My ancestors were persecuted and murdered in Europe many years ago. I am aware of the incidents but it will not affect my thoughts or relations with peoples whose ANCESTORS committed crimes. Let it go, learn, do not repeat and move on.
44
Unless we, our children KNOW our history, we are bound to repeat our mistakes. My relatives were also persecuted in Europe. Perhaps because of that injustice, I am more sensitive to the injustice served on others. Don't put your head in the sand. Accept brutal mistakes were made and vow not to have them repeated on OTHERS
11
It seems that most of the articles I read at this paper is to just stir the pot as you say. Why do we continually bring up slavery and incidents that happened well over a hundred years ago. We learned from that and have moved on. The media seems to want only to feed the hate.
4
The reason to bring it to light is to keep people from forgetting what happened. The history of the Texas Rangers is very bloody. It astounds me that Texans are proud of the Rangers. I don't believe they know the true history.
13
This is the kind of history that school boards in Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and a few other states are hell-bent on whitewashing. We need to know the dark side of our past if we're ever going be able to atone for it and move forward with a new determination.
156
If true, a part of our history to be acknowledged.
Now, move on. Or will some "spokesman" start talking about "reparations"?
Now, move on. Or will some "spokesman" start talking about "reparations"?
14
The tragedy is not just that these things happened- my English forebears have plenty of their own skeletons (literally)- but that the "American Exceptionalism" meme allows so many to pretend that it doesn't really matter because, after all, it was then- and that somehow we have become perfect since. Our current biases and bigotries may have changed but deserve just as much scrutiny and constant vigilance. Complacency has the potential to be the downfall of the USA.
188
This is what I admire about America. While the Chinese and Japanese white wash their history denying their citizens of the more unpleasant parts of their history out of right wing patriotism the Land of the Free has libraries full of enlightenment warts and all, but their kids still can't find Canada on the map. There is truth but hardly any one reads; there is democracy but hardly anyone votes. Dictators take notice because apathy is more powerful than censorship.
69
There is no question that throughout history, one would find it difficult to determine what group of society was NOT victimized in some form or another.
I would point out that the article notes "white" mobs. Well, most Italians and Irishmen are white too.
Whether it had been 1,000 years ago, 100 or today, society determines whether any action is "the norm". Slavery, though wrong, was not illegal in past centuries. In fact, it persisted for many centuries. Still wrong, but had been widely accepted at the time.
Todays violent terrorists, like any group before, uses twisted justifications for their actions. Whether it be political in nature, religion, ethnic backgrounds, economics, no matter. Today terrorism is mainly a religious perversion.
No need to dance around the perversion, however. The violence is wrong and must be stopped.
Period.
I would point out that the article notes "white" mobs. Well, most Italians and Irishmen are white too.
Whether it had been 1,000 years ago, 100 or today, society determines whether any action is "the norm". Slavery, though wrong, was not illegal in past centuries. In fact, it persisted for many centuries. Still wrong, but had been widely accepted at the time.
Todays violent terrorists, like any group before, uses twisted justifications for their actions. Whether it be political in nature, religion, ethnic backgrounds, economics, no matter. Today terrorism is mainly a religious perversion.
No need to dance around the perversion, however. The violence is wrong and must be stopped.
Period.
10
The thing about the more recent European immigrant groups and the discrimination against them is that it was still racism. It was about policing whiteness. These people were perceived as less educated, poorer, ruder, and literally dirtier than the white elite. So they weren't "really" white, unlike the purest elites. To have a hierarchy like that, you have to constantly push down on other groups and maintain an ideal superiority. To acknowledge these "inferior" people as part of the top racial group would have weakened the idea that white was always the best. It's only relatively recently that these groups have been folded into what we consider white today.
And this pattern hasn't ended! Take a look at scholarship surrounding the concept of "white trash".
And this pattern hasn't ended! Take a look at scholarship surrounding the concept of "white trash".
11
I don't understand what you mean by saying, "I would point out that the article notes "white" mobs. Well, most Italians and Irishmen are white too." Where does the op-ed talk about Irish? Italians, on the other hand, were lynched by white people who didn't think they were white or white enough. That's US history. Race is not a static category.
5
It should also be noted that during the California Gold Rush, Mexicans were more successful in extracting gold from the earth than Anglo-Americans. (This was mostly due to the fact that the Mexicans had acquired the knowledge and skill to do so from the Conquistadors centuries before the gold rush in California ) Consequently, this left Anglo-Americans at a clear disadvantage. Mob violence broke out against Mexicans due to their success at finding and gathering gold. And, the California State Legislature in 1849 passed a law to tax foreigners who were able to find gold. This was done to appease white American at the expense of Mexicans.
21
Whites have always used such tactics to preserve their hegemony here—in business, housing, and sports for example. Wherever competition would let someone get ahead, they would always eliminate the competition.
3
Remember, also, that a large number of Italian immigrants were lynched in New Orleans in 1890 after the assassination of the city's police chief.
19
He mentions the lynching of Italians in the second paragraph. Italians were also lynched elsewhere in Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, and numerous other locales in the USA. So welcoming were those Americans of immigrants!
5
Thank you for your important work. I've always been baffled by folks I know in the southwestern U.S. who call their fellow citizens "Mexicans," when they actually are fourth- and fifth generation (and longer than that) Americans. I have an Irish surname, and I'm only third-generation, but I'm always referred to as an American -- not Irish or even Irish-American. How many Americans were among those labeled "Mexican" by their neighbors and then lynched? I suspect many. Bless Mexico for protesting against those past despicable acts against not only its own citizens, but against Americans with inherited Mexican surnames, too.
176
I think a lot of it is self-labeling.
1
People call themselves Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, Hispanics, Chicanos, and Latinos to distinguish themselves as a culture, so that culture can be preserved and celebrated and because they continue to strive for equality for all. But they have made great strides. They are a hard-working, smart, and family-oriented people. I live in a city with a Mexican-American majority, in a part of town with 14% whites, with a Mexican US Congressman, state senator, representative as well as councilman. Our culture is intertwined with theirs in a way that it probably isn't in other parts of the country. Most of the acts spoken of were heinous, but were not perpetrated by generations who are still alive. It is fine to correct history books, but what really counts is how we treat people today. The Mexicans in my city are my neighbors, my friends, my former bosses, business owners, and my politicians. It is very common here for whites and Mexicans to intermarry. Is everything done that needs to be done? Not yet. But we are getting there, and in turn, each new group of non-citizens who come in from Mexico must be helped from poverty to a decent place in life. Years ago, the Mexican people here took the reins of the city and demanded, rightfully so, their place as the dominant culture here. The work continues.
5
The Americans I know who are of Mexican decent refer to themselves as Mexican, no matter how many generations have lived in the USA. Some have such little connection to the Mexican culture, including not speaking Spanish, yet still call themselves Mexican.
1
This is certainly "alternative history"...and hopefully in the best sense of that term IF it is accurate and based on hard evidence rather than anecdote (one can't tell from the article). Because if accurate, it indicates a lawless racism on the part of the Anglo-Caucasian ruling class of America (of whom I am one) against racial minorities even beyond blacks in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Not a pretty part of our history, but something I hope we now can acknowledge, learn from as part of our sins...and surpass. I speak, by the way, as a hardliner on the immigration debate. But when we accept people (of whatever race or ethnic background) as citizens...they become part of us and should never have been targeted like this.
43
Read Steven Ambrose's book on building the railroad across the US. The Monroe doctrine allowed our army to do whatever necessary to subdue the Mexicans. A bounty was due on each scalp and other parts of anatomy. To read what was done in the name of American exceptionalism should turn your stomach.
11
These are more than anecdotes. What do you want—footnotes in a newspaper article?
11
The pious folks of Oklahoma and their Republican legislators will try to keep realities such as these out of the history books that their children read.
192
In virtually all instances of lynching, Black, Mexican, etc. it was pious Democrats who controlled the state and probably pulled the rope. That should be included in the history books.
7
And Mr. Giuliani will say that the authors don't love America.
13
When I read the headline I wondered what the point of this historical victimhood piece might be. Then, when I got to the last paragraph, I saw the less than subtle implication: anyone opposed to illegal immigration in "today's charged debate" is a moral descendant of hateful racists. Cynical assumptions confirmed.
49
Well, I knew from the start that this was where the article was headed: as a defense for illegal immigration. However, while I was reading the article all I could think was about extreme violence traditional in Mexico, worse than in the US.
9
'...anyone opposed to illegal immigration ..." What does that mean?
Our ancestors, regardless of the less the warm greeting they received from the true Americans i.e. those that came over on the Mayflower, were allowed to enter the country 'legally'. Since then all others, particularly non whites, are breaking the law when they deign to come here in search of a better life.
It occurred to me at a very early age that property rights is counter-intuitive. Taking property from an indigenous people through murder and other violent means is hardly a 'right'. By this logic the only people with 'property rights' were the fictitious Adam and Eve.
The United States is a grand experiment in democracy, but only for those cunning, greedy, and violent enough to seize as much property as possible, and of course pass it along to their descendants for perpetuity.
How is this democracy? Well the bloom is off the rose as we have seen post 2008. The only really 'legal' Americans are the oligarchs and plutocrats that currently control everything in this country. You might be okay with this situation but there's no subtlety involved. We have become the immoral descendants of hateful racists and denying any person the right to live in this country only emphasizes the brand.
Our ancestors, regardless of the less the warm greeting they received from the true Americans i.e. those that came over on the Mayflower, were allowed to enter the country 'legally'. Since then all others, particularly non whites, are breaking the law when they deign to come here in search of a better life.
It occurred to me at a very early age that property rights is counter-intuitive. Taking property from an indigenous people through murder and other violent means is hardly a 'right'. By this logic the only people with 'property rights' were the fictitious Adam and Eve.
The United States is a grand experiment in democracy, but only for those cunning, greedy, and violent enough to seize as much property as possible, and of course pass it along to their descendants for perpetuity.
How is this democracy? Well the bloom is off the rose as we have seen post 2008. The only really 'legal' Americans are the oligarchs and plutocrats that currently control everything in this country. You might be okay with this situation but there's no subtlety involved. We have become the immoral descendants of hateful racists and denying any person the right to live in this country only emphasizes the brand.
12
Actually, per your logic, denying somebody the right to live in a country full of "immoral descendants of hateful racists" and controlled by "oligarchs and plutocrats" would be the humanitarian thing to do.
1
One of the largest mass lynchings in American history was of eleven Italians in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1891. The city had been the destination for numerous Italian immigrants.[13] Nine Italians who were thought to have assassinated police chief David Hennessy, were arrested, tried and acquitted. Subsequent to the trial, a mob stormed the jailhouse, dragging the men out and lynching them, together with two other Italians who were being held in the jail at the time on unrelated charges.[14] Afterward, the police arrested hundreds of Italian immigrants, on the false pretext that they were all criminals.[15][16]
Anti Italianism was part of the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic ideology of the revived Ku Klux Klan (KKK) after 1915; the white supremacist and nativist group targeted Italians and other foreign Roman Catholics, seeking to preserve the supposed dominance of Anglo-Saxon Protestants. During the early 20th century, the KKK became active in northern and midwestern cities, where social change had been rapid due to immigration and industrialization, and was not limited to the South. It reached a peak of membership and influence in 1925. A hotbed of anti-Italian KKK activity developed in Southern New Jersey in the mid-1920s. In 1933, there was a mass protest against Italian immigrants in Vineland, New Jersey, where Italians made up 20% of the city population. The KKK eventually lost all of its power in Vineland, and left the city.
Anti Italianism was part of the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic ideology of the revived Ku Klux Klan (KKK) after 1915; the white supremacist and nativist group targeted Italians and other foreign Roman Catholics, seeking to preserve the supposed dominance of Anglo-Saxon Protestants. During the early 20th century, the KKK became active in northern and midwestern cities, where social change had been rapid due to immigration and industrialization, and was not limited to the South. It reached a peak of membership and influence in 1925. A hotbed of anti-Italian KKK activity developed in Southern New Jersey in the mid-1920s. In 1933, there was a mass protest against Italian immigrants in Vineland, New Jersey, where Italians made up 20% of the city population. The KKK eventually lost all of its power in Vineland, and left the city.
136
Thank you for reminding us of the struggles of Italians like my parents and grandparents. I think the Mexicans are in a similar position today and will come out of it as legitimate citizens because of their hard work and dedication to family, just like the Italians.
9
We who are white seem to take everything on the chin and responsible for all of the US crimes of humanity throughout it's history. SO regardless if I only arrived 50 years ago and my white parents who came from Europe, I am made to feel guilty, responsible and must grovel in the dirt and pay retribution and insure that my being white is to blame for all the heinous crimes and murders committed by other non-related white people in the past is sort of like lumping black criminals to ordinary law abiding black citizens - you know it's all true??? When does this vigilante attitudes towards the races end?
47
You do not have to feel guilty about being white, the whole point of these arguments is to prevent re-occurence of situations that existed in the days of the lynch mobs. Hatred is contagious, we can stop the the contagion by preaching love and tolerance to whoever is close to us and our children, most importantly.
81
It's just history.
10
Where in this article do you find anything blaming anyone alive today (of any background) for these crimes? The writers want us to "rethink the history of lynching" and remember "the costs and consequences of hate." I don't understand how you feel that their aim is to make you, as a white person, feel "guilty, responsible" and force you to "grovel in the dirt." The way I read it, they want ALL of us to acknowledge our collective responsibility for protecting those among us who may be targeted and punished unfairly.
85
Blacks and hispanics were not the only targets of mainstream white prejudice in American history. Among other targets were the Mormons on the American frontier and in the south, and of course the Irish immigrants of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries have their stories throughout the nation. All of this pales in comparison to our treatment of the completely dispensable Native Americans from New England to the Pacific Coast, perhaps only because ropes weren't the most commonly used form of violence against them. We have to admit that we have been equal opportunity haters when it suits us.
62
I'm surprised to see the second comment referencing Mormons. As an individual with Mormon ancestors (but no fan of religion myself), I also thought of this example and the two points that it illustrates: 1. Persecution and abuse throughout U.S. history has been based not only on race, but religion as well. 2. The amount of attention the historical abuse of a minority group receives by scholars and media is correlated to the current condition of that minority group.
6
The writers forgot to include Japanese Americans sent to concentration camps during WWII. As a Brazilian national, a brief comment about xenophobia and minority discrimination in America.
By now, we all know America's depiction on history books and Hollywood movies is far from reality. However, hundred of millions of foreign nationals would do anything to immigrate and raise a family in America. This is true particularly for poor-middle class Mexicans without any chance of a decent future in their home country.
By now, we all know America's depiction on history books and Hollywood movies is far from reality. However, hundred of millions of foreign nationals would do anything to immigrate and raise a family in America. This is true particularly for poor-middle class Mexicans without any chance of a decent future in their home country.
27
Let's see...
- invade the New World - check
- carry out genocide on millions of
indigenous inhabitants - check
- enslave or put on reservations what's
left of indigenous inhabitants - check
- bring over millions of African slaves - check
- get rich from the whole process - check
- maintain hegemony over brown people
through terror - check
- create self-serving heroic myths about
the whole thing - check
- institutionalize racism,
de jure and de facto - check
- maintain overwhelming military and police
forces in case of civil unrest - check
- deny and downplay the truth when
its revealed, or point fingers - check
- finally, admit what has been done and
take steps to make amends - ongoing
Thank you Mr. Carrigan and the NY Times.
- invade the New World - check
- carry out genocide on millions of
indigenous inhabitants - check
- enslave or put on reservations what's
left of indigenous inhabitants - check
- bring over millions of African slaves - check
- get rich from the whole process - check
- maintain hegemony over brown people
through terror - check
- create self-serving heroic myths about
the whole thing - check
- institutionalize racism,
de jure and de facto - check
- maintain overwhelming military and police
forces in case of civil unrest - check
- deny and downplay the truth when
its revealed, or point fingers - check
- finally, admit what has been done and
take steps to make amends - ongoing
Thank you Mr. Carrigan and the NY Times.
250
It's no wonder that some school boards want to hide these facts. They're too true.
14
-full reparations to Native Americans...my land? - never mind
3
--pretend that this is somehow "secret history," -CHECK. Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States," which contains all of the shrill talking points above, sold more than 2 million copies by 2003, and is assigned reading in many high schools and colleges across the US.
No thanks, Bert Floryanzia, for pretending Mr. Zinn's version of history isn't the mainstream.
No thanks, Bert Floryanzia, for pretending Mr. Zinn's version of history isn't the mainstream.
3
The authors point out that "many other racial and ethnic minorities in the United States [have been lynched], including Native Americans, Italians, Chinese and, especially Mexicans," the last the topic of this op-ed piece.
To the "many other" minorities one should add Jews.
In 1868, for instance, S.A Bierfeld, owner of a dry-goods store in Franklin Tennessee, and supporter of Reconstruction was lynched by the KKK together with African-American employee Lawrence Bowman.
In 1915 writer Albert Bettelheim was lynched and just afterwards there was the famous case of Leo Frank. Photographs show a former governor of Georgia and a superior court judge standing right there.
Mob violence against minorities in the US is no stranger to the South and as this article points out, no stranger to the Southwest and West either.
To the "many other" minorities one should add Jews.
In 1868, for instance, S.A Bierfeld, owner of a dry-goods store in Franklin Tennessee, and supporter of Reconstruction was lynched by the KKK together with African-American employee Lawrence Bowman.
In 1915 writer Albert Bettelheim was lynched and just afterwards there was the famous case of Leo Frank. Photographs show a former governor of Georgia and a superior court judge standing right there.
Mob violence against minorities in the US is no stranger to the South and as this article points out, no stranger to the Southwest and West either.
123
People often forget, or don't know, that the majority of victims of lynching or other forms of mob violence where white. They are forgotten because 1) they were killed before the wide spread use of photography, 2) they were seen as individuals and not as members of a group, and 3) they were not killed because of an official or semi-official policy of using fear and murder as a means of political suppression. In most cases, mob murder of minorities was a political act.
10
Very important overlooked part of American history ignored by most mainstream media. Regrettably most liberal Americans still adapt a black-white binary that ignores the historical experiences of Mexican-Americans and Asian-Americans as well. They are still watching TV in black and white when America is now in color. What is most troubling is that urban liberals like Mayor de Blasio and other so-called progressives are not willing to examine the status of Latino-Americans in their administrations referring only to African-Americans for fear of being called "racist." When will the liberal hypocrites learn that "Aqui se habla espanol" and "Si se puede"
14