When I read about Michael Richard's blow up during his comedy routine, I didn't know much about lynching. So I googled lynching and came here. Now after seeing the pictures and history, it is truly an awful thing that he referenced lynching in his anger.
~"g2006" (Guest)
The commenter is speaking about the site Without Sanctuary. You can view a Flash film here:
Searching through America's past for the last 25 years, collector James Allen uncovered an extraordinary visual legacy: photographs and postcards taken as souvenirs at lynchings throughout America. With essays by Hilton Als, Leon Litwack, Congressman John Lewis and James Allen, these photographs have been published as a book "Without Sanctuary" by Twin Palms Publishers . Features will be added to this site over time and it will evolve into an educational tool. Please be aware before entering the site that much of the material is very disturbing. We welcome your comments and input through the forum section.
(I have highlighted that one sentence. It is not an overstatement.)
Posted by perry032 at November 27, 2006 07:46 PM | TrackBackIt is good that at least one person took the time to think about lynching in connection with Richards because it was clearly a subject that most of the media outlets wanted to dance around. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to incorporate Without Sanctuary into my spring class. I have a section on Ida B. Wells so I know I have to show it, but it seems to get even harder for me each time.
Posted by: Mon at December 5, 2006 07:56 PMYes, Mon. I find it odd that this controversy has largely involved the use of the n-word rather than the invokation of lynching.
As a side note, with my Sitemeter, I can tell the country where folks are coming here from and what they out-clicked on. Most of the folks who end up clicking on the "Without Sanctuary" site have been from outside of the US. Why is that, I wonder. Do Americans already know (or think they know) everything about lynching? Is it too painful a topic? Are they not that interested? Have they already visited that particular site?
I just find that interesting. Please let me know how your Spring class goes!
Posted by: Yvette at December 14, 2006 04:29 PMI had the same feeling you did Y about the physical violence Richards shouted out. I couldn't watch it or listen to it. It was grotesque. I wish I could assure you his career is over, but then...Mel Gibson just got a standing ovation on Leno.
Posted by: Mieke at December 18, 2006 08:46 PM