Frequently Asked Questions
This exhibition is not meant to induce guilt in anyone. Rather, Without Sanctuary is intended to educate contemporary audiences about a dark time in America's past, while also engendering a sense of empathy for not only lynching victims, but also those who fought to restore the rule of law.
Any feelings of guilt or shame will be addressed through many opportunities for individuals to share their reactions and talk about what ramifications these and other instances of injustice play in our own lives.
Lynching has no relevance in today's world. Why stir up the past?
Unfortunately, while lynching itself is rare, violence, hatred, racism and injustice remain prevalent around the world. The anonymous placement of mock nooses in offices and buildings, designed to intimidate African Americans and others, shows that hate crimes in the U.S. and elsewhere continue to persist just underneath the veneer of civil society.
Through forums, programming and dialogues, the Freedom Center and its community partners will provide the tools and the encouragement for individuals to take action to deal with these situations.
Why is NURFC bringing this exhibit? Is it just for publicity or to capitalize on controversy?
Although many would probably prefer to forget this chapter of American history, for African Americans and others, the decades long nightmare of lynching – and continuing incidents of threatened violence and intimidation today – are all-too-real reminders that only a thin line separates the rule of law and guarantees of civil and human rights from lawless mob psychosis.
Without Sanctuary is an opportunity to educate the public about the historic context of these injustices and their relevance to contemporary society.
This exhibition will inflame racial hatred and increase the racial divide. Can't we just move on?
If history is any guide, the desire to “just move on” is not enough to foster real change and end injustices that continue to beset our society. Through Without Sanctuary, the Freedom Center and its community partners are presenting a myriad of opportunities to open dialogue that bridges gaps between communities and among individuals of varying backgrounds, experiences and lifestyles.
There is no doubt that the images presented in Without Sanctuary will tap deep emotions and generate powerful reactions. This can be a positive outcome if the exhibition encourages viewers to let go of passive acceptance of past wrongs and engage in action today that provides sanctuary for those in contemporary society who are denied the full rights of citizenship and human dignity.
Is there an age limitation for admittance to this exhibition?
Parents are best able to make informed judgments about whether their children should see Without Sanctuary. The Freedom Center strongly cautions parents that the images may be too intense for younger children. This online site is designed to help adults make that decision.
The Freedom Center is providing advance information for teachers and administrators to help them decide whether they want their students to see the exhibition. Without Sanctuary will only be open to high school students, and only then with a permission slip signed by each student's parent or guardian.
Were lynchings racially motivated?
Yes, in many instances, but other factors came into play. Victims came from all walks of life and backgrounds: Jews, whites, immigrants, Native Americans. However, historians emphasize that African Americans made up the majority of victims – as many as 4,000 between 1882 and 1968.
What finally stopped lynchings?
Several factors led to the cessation of lynching: stepped up law enforcement at the state and local levels, pressure on federal and state governments by dedicated reformers and organizations including the NAACP, and increased media exposure. Enactment of Civil Rights legislation in 1965 and 1966, while not specifically outlawing lynching, put in place a broad array of new protections for people accused of crimes that, in an earlier time, sometimes resulted in mob rule “justice.”
