Discussion Questions "Spectacles of Whiteness"

1.) For me, looking at the photos we've discussed thus far and the lynching photography discussed within "Spectacles of Whiteness" by there are two very different depictions of "blackness." Bell Hooks talked about art and black art in a way that further influences the discussion about the photographs depicting "blackness" in its various forms. Hooks wondered why art had to be valued as representation rather than expression, which brings up the idea of "blackness" set forth by people like Seydou Keita. In the African photography of Keita "blackness" is being portrayed as a race consisting of great class, education, and sophistication. However, in the lynching photography, there is a complete opposite affect, not hard due to the fact that these photographs were made for the entertainment of whites. The photographs in Smith's article were not only shocking but gruesome as well. They showed the true supremacy of whites in a way that was hard to take in. The image of "blackness" portrayed in these photographs was nothing more than animalistic. Both portrayals of "blackness" were forms of propaganda set forth to represent the depicted. One in order to progress, and one in order to perpetrate the same level of hierarchy in the country.

2.) While doing further research I looked up the images of all of the lynching post cards discussed in the article. However, the photo i find most shocking is that of the lynching of Thomas and Abram Smith. This photo, taken at night and presumably close to the death of both young black men, depicts a scene that is disturbing in a number of ways. As Smith says, the photo looks "carnivalesque" in nature, which, to me, would suggest some level of fun and excitement. The word "fun" is not something that would bring the image of a lynching of two young, black men to mind. This picture is a true representation of the sick white supremacy in the south at this time. The fact that they could make such a spectacle, taking pictures and carrying on while murdering two men, without any repercussions is something that is unfathomable.

3.) The difference of a mug shot and a studio portrait at first glance is not so easily discernible for me, especially when it comes to the way that things were at this time. In more modern times, the most obvious similarity between mug shots and studio portraits is that they depict the mood and feelings of the person who is being photographed at the time. Mug shots, obviously have a criminal background to them that studio portraits do not; however, this criminal history (presumably tied to a black man who was often wrongfully accused during this time period) might not have been due to the actual acts of the accused. Therefore, it can only be assumed that mug shots were yet another way to show "blackness" in a way that was pleasing to whites.

4.) While reading the section of the article that detailed the true sadistic nature of the white community by discussing the participation of children in lynchings I think that I was the most appalled. The article details a specific lynching of a young man named Rubin Stacy. The photograph of this disgraceful act is something that I believe will stick with me for a long time. The story behind this lynching is what, to me, makes this murder so incredibly depressing. Rubin Stacy, a young, black man walked up to the house of a white female by the name of Marian Jones, simply begging for food. Jones yelled, and that was enough to send this poor man to jail. As if imprisonment was not a horrible enough fate, he was taken from custody and murdered. They then took his dead body and positioned everything perfectly in the frame of the photo, with white men, women, and children gathered around cheerfully. The discussion turns to the fact that children were placed in the front and told to smile, or hoisted up on the shoulders of an adult to get a good view, or (possibly the worst of all) taken out of school to be able to attend the gruesome spectacle. All of these small facts that you learn about white supremacists gather together and create a scene in your mind of nothing but evil.

5.) I think that the images within this article were the most powerful addition to what Smith was trying to accomplish. The intent of this article was to show white supremacy in its complete entirety, detailing the irrational violence and savagery of the act of lynching. I believe that the photographs that they took and held so dear as a "memento" (as Smith puts it) of their superiority over the black race had the exact opposite affect that they set out to achieve. In no way do I see them as good triumphing over evil, or distinguishing a threat. They look only like barbarians, the very thing they claimed to be fighting against. Showing the photos of whites smiling at the camera while, at the same time, being in the presence of a dead body shows their true evil nature.