(Todd A. Smith)
This week, authorities discovered two Mississippi men, one Black and one White, deceased and hanging from trees.
While authorities stated there was no foul play in the hanging death of the Black man, a student from Delta State University, it remains unsettling for Black Americans, given the current climate in the country.
And unfortunately, if things do not change and people do not come together, America will see a renaissance of 1950s and 1960s race relations, which is something that will not be tolerated by the current generation of Black Americans or those still unborn.
Nick Judin of Mississippi Free Press reported, “Delta State University staff found the body of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old student, hanging from a tree in the middle of campus Monday morning. His death set off a wave of mourning across the university and prompted the cancellation of centennial events for the 100-year-old institution.
“Delta State University Police held a press event Monday afternoon, announcing that no foul play is currently suspected in Reed’s death and no threats to campus exist.”
Ashton Pittman, also of the Mississippi Free Press, reported, “The body of 35-year-old Cory Zukatis was found hanging from a tree in a wooded area off of Washington Street in Vicksburg, Mississippi on Monday afternoon.”
Warren County Coroner Doug L. Huskey said, “It was a White male in a wooded area where people who live there are homeless and on drugs. He is homeless. I talked to his family.
Huskey would not speculate if foul play was involved.
The coroner said, “We don’t ever say suicide or anything until the autopsy is over with. Right now, it’s just an investigation.”
There is a chance that racism played no role in these hanging deaths.
And I hope to God that bigotry had nothing to do with it.
But it is scary and intolerable, nonetheless.
Before I proceed, I want to address a question that some people might be wondering about, given the racial background of the two deceased Mississippi men.
Many might think, how could the hanging death of Zukatis be racist or anti-Black?
During the Civil Rights Movement, White and Jewish civil rights activists also lost their lives in support of equality for Black Americans.
Many participated in marches, participated in voter registration drives and provided financially for Black leaders.
Therefore, anything is possible.
It is also possible to have lynchings, even in modern times.
I am old enough to remember the fear that gripped Texas when James Byrd was dragged to death from a pickup truck until his body parts were ripped apart in Jasper, Texas, in 1998.
Furthermore, I am old enough to remember news reporters interviewing White residents of Jasper, Texas, and them grinning as they discussed the murder of Byrd.
There were the typical excuses that racists use when a White person murders a Black person just because of their own bigotry.
One interviewee said that Byrd was not perfect because he drank alcohol.
As if the alcohol consumption of adults is worthy of the death penalty.
Furthermore, as if random White citizens should be the judge, jury and executioner for Black people doing legal things.
In the days before social media, I remember rappers like the Geto Boys keeping the memory of Byrd alive in songs like “Eye 4 an Eye.”
More importantly, I remember the country having true political leadership from the left and the right.
I remember 1998 being a time when right was right and wrong was wrong, no matter what political party a person belonged to.
When a country, state or city has true leadership, cooler heads often prevail, no matter how volatile the climate.
But when a jurisdiction has divisive leadership, it just leads to more discrimination, prejudice and hatred.
Although racist leaders like Eugene “Bull” Connor and George Wallace used the turbulent racial times of the 1960s to divide people and maintain White supremacy, former President Lyndon B. Johnson chose the route of equality and unity, declaring that the nation would overcome.
America definitely needs the type of leadership that President Johnson provided during the Civil Rights Movement to calm the waters and truly keep America great.
Although America has not seen that from President Donald Trump yet, it has seen it from politicians like Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Cox has urged people not to add fuel to the fire, while Newsom shocked many by sitting down with controversial conservative political pundits like the late Charlie Kirk on podcasts.
While many on the left crucified Newsom for speaking with someone like Kirk, if Newsom is to one day ascend to the White House, he must unify the country by representing all Americans, not just those who might vote for him or those he agrees with.
And that is what America once was.
As people rightfully criticize President Trump for his divisive rhetoric, a clip of former Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) correcting a town hall guest who wrongly stated that President Obama was a Muslim.
The late Sen. McCain shut her down and said that Obama was a good man whom he just disagreed with on some policies.
Those days of political stability seem like a lifetime ago.
But B.T. (Before Trump), there were some good people on both sides of the aisle who could argue like young siblings, then hang out after like nothing happened.
Unfortunately, A.T. (After Trump), America does not have a president who can de-escalate the violence.
Instead, America has one that will escalate the hate and the violence.
And that simply will not be tolerated, especially by Black Americans.
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