Journal Article

The Long-Lasting and Perpetuating Effects of Lynching Postcards and Photography: A Historical Analysis and a Link to Contemporary Racial Issues

Mowatt, Rasul, Soto Camacho, Alejandro

2025

Overview

This article uses visual content, literary, and psychoanalysis of lynching postcards and photography obtained from the Without Sanctuary Organization or public library online records. The portrayed photograph of the lynching and any handwriting on the postcard evidence will establish a symbolic link between the photograph and individuals sending and receiving the images. Using Joe Feagin’s theory on Systematic Oppression and Stuart Hall’s theory on the relationship between media and ideologies as a foundation for my argument, I contend that the past and current dissemination of lynching photography and postcards has had a perpetual and negative effect on the psyche of American society with its actions toward structural racism, racial biases, and the perpetuation of White supremacy through social and governmental channels. Indeed, I pose that photographs of this type are clear evidence of the nation’s violent past toward non-dominant groups of society, especially Black people. Additionally, I discuss the relationship of the photographs with contemporary issues by historically and symbolically analyzing the meaning within the photographs’ contents and addressing the timeline from the first dissemination of lynching photography until more modern representations of racism. These contemporary representations include Black individuals in popular media, the outlawing of lynching, police killings, and mass incarceration. In addition, I establish the ahistorical nature of lynching photography and its relevancy today by highlighting the lack of education in K-12 curricula on the topics of lynching and racial terror presently.

• Publisher: Common Ground Research Networks
• Subject: Lynchings / Photography