Lynching – The Blessed Overcomer

Tasia Fortune was found hanging.

I do not believe it was suicide.

But if you believe this was a suicide, then you should still demand that every question be answered. If there are circumstances that raise questions about whether her death was truly a suicide, then those questions deserve a real, independent investigation—not dismissal, not silence, and not another case quietly filed away.

Mississippi has a painful history of Black people dying under circumstances that have left families and communities demanding answers. For decades, deaths involving trees, ropes, and hanging have carried the horrifying shadow of America’s history of racial terror.

And now, in 2026, we are still having these conversations.

That should disturb every one of us.

Dear White Community: silence is not neutrality when people are demanding justice.

You don’t have to know every fact to demand that the facts be uncovered.

You don’t have to have all the answers to stand beside a grieving family.

And you don’t have to wait until something happens to someone you love before you decide that every human life deserves the same level of scrutiny, dignity, and protection.

Demand a real investigation.

Demand independent oversight.

Demand federal review when circumstances warrant it.

Demand transparency.

And demand that our laws be strong enough that justice is never dependent upon someone’s race, wealth, power, ZIP code, or political connections.

This isn’t about jumping to conclusions.

It’s about refusing to accept unanswered questions when a human being is dead.

It’s about refusing to let history repeat itself in silence.

It’s about making sure that when a Black person dies under suspicious or disputed circumstances, the response isn’t:

“Move along. Nothing to see here.”

No!

We have something to see.

We have questions to ask.

We have families to hear.

We have institutions to hold accountable.

And we have a moral obligation to insist that every death deserves the truth.

Because justice delayed is painful.

Justice denied is devastating.

But justice ignored is a choice.

And silence is a choice, too.

Choose to speak.
Choose to ask questions.
Choose to demand the truth. ~OC

I debated on whether I should write this post or not. But after thinking it over, I could not stay silent. I had to share my thoughts on the President’s latest tweet. I know I might lose some followers and maybe a few friends for sharing this post. That’s okay, I am a big boy.

For those of you who have not been checking your Twitter feed today, the President sent out a tweet comparing what he is currently dealing with politically to lynching. Of course, he later shared he was not referring to the dark period in American history. I have already seen several of his supporters rushing to his defense. All I can say is shame on anyone who defends the President’s tweet. Even if the President accidentally used a poor choice of words, he must know better. He is the President of the United States. That includes everyone.

Mr. President and everyone who is defending his latest tweet, let me give you a lesson in American History 101. Between 1877 and 1950, there are 4,075 documented cases of African-Americans being lynched in America (Equal Justice Initiative). Towns used to hold “Lynching Days” after church on Sunday’s. Some towns even publicized it in the local newspaper. African-Americans could be lynched for simply walking down the street. A lot of victims of lynching were burned afterwards. Mr. President that is Lynching. I would suggest you and those defending your latest tweet, visit The Legacy Museum and Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. My wife and I visited last year. Our lives will never be the same. My wife and I actually met a family who’s great-grandfather was a victim of lynching. His crime? He had the audacity to ask a white man to pay him for completing work on the man’s home. How dare he!

So Mr. President and those defending him, that is your history lesson on lynching in America. I would encourage each of you, to step away from social media for a moment and read up on this dark period of America’s history.

For those who are offended by my post, please reach out to me. Let’s sit down and have a civil conversation. I would love to recommend some books on lynching in America. Maybe we can actually meet at The Legacy Museum and Memorial in Montgomery. I plan on visiting again next year. ~OC

Tag: Lynching

Mr. President, This Is Lynching