Lynching, a term historically associated with racial terror in America, did not end with the Jim Crow era. Though public hangings and mob executions may not occur with the same frequency or visibility as in the past, modern-day racial violence still claims Black lives. Whether through extrajudicial killings, racist vigilantism, or unchecked police brutality, the legacy of lynching continues in new forms. Below are five tragic cases that highlight this ongoing crisis.
1. Ahmaud Arbery (2020)
Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was jogging through a neighborhood in Glynn County, Georgia, when he was pursued and fatally shot by three white men—Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan. The perpetrators claimed they suspected Arbery of burglary, but video evidence showed an unarmed man simply exercising before being ambushed. The killing echoed lynchings of the past, where white vigilantes targeted Black individuals under the pretense of self-defense.
2. James Byrd Jr. (1998)
James Byrd Jr., a 49-year-old Black man, was brutally murdered by three white supremacists in Jasper, Texas. They chained him to the back of a pickup truck and dragged him for nearly three miles along an asphalt road, tearing his body apart. The gruesome killing sparked national outrage and led to the passage of federal hate crime legislation in 2009. Byrd’s murder was a chilling reminder that racial terror is not confined to history books.
3. Trayvon Martin (2012)
Seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin was walking home in Sanford, Florida, when he was profiled, pursued, and shot by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer. Martin was unarmed and carrying only a bag of Skittles and an iced tea. Zimmerman claimed self-defense and was acquitted of murder, igniting national protests and giving rise to the Black Lives Matter movement. The case demonstrated how racist perceptions continue to justify the killing of Black people in America.
4. Emmett Till (1955) – A Lingering Echo
Though not a modern case, Emmett Till’s lynching remains relevant due to its impact on civil rights activism and the persistence of similar racial violence. The 14-year-old was brutally beaten and lynched in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman—an accusation later proven false. The men responsible were acquitted, an outcome that mirrors present-day failures of the justice system when it comes to prosecuting racial violence.
5. George Floyd (2020)
George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin became a global symbol of racial injustice. Floyd was pinned to the ground for over nine minutes as he pleaded for air, repeating, “I can’t breathe.” His death, filmed and shared worldwide, led to massive protests against police brutality. While not a lynching in the traditional sense, Floyd’s death fit within the historical pattern of racial terror inflicted by those in positions of authority.
Conclusion
While America may no longer witness lynchings in the form of public hangings, the brutal killings of Black individuals continue in new guises. These five cases underscore the enduring impact of white supremacy and racial violence in America. Until systemic racism is fully addressed, the specter of lynching will remain a tragic reality.
