In this episode Connor and Jack discuss the powerful anti-lynching poem "The Lynching" by Claude McKay. They discuss the history of anti-lynching literature, the ways that white terror was enacted for decades, the horror of lynchings as public acts, how lynchings have continued to the present day, and much more. More on Claude McKay, here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/claude-mckay Find the poem, here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/56983/the-lynching The Lynching By: Claude McKay His spirit is smoke ascended to high heaven. His father, by the cruelest way of pain, Had bidden him to his bosom once again; The awful sin remained still unforgiven. All night a bright and solitary star (Perchance the one that ever guided him, Yet gave him up at last to Fate's wild whim) Hung pitifully o'er the swinging char. Day dawned, and soon the mixed crowds came to view The ghastly body swaying in the sun: The women thronged to look, but never a one Showed sorrow in her eyes of steely blue; And little lads, lynchers that were to be, Danced round the dreadful thing in fiendish glee. Find us on Facebook at: facebook.com/closetalking  Find us on Twitter at: twitter.com/closetalking  Find us on Instagram: @closetalkingpoetry You can always send us an e-mail with thoughts on this or any of our previous podcasts, as well as suggestions for future shows, at [email protected].

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