Racial Terror: Lynching in Virginia
Reviewed by: Wale Shittu
Review start: March 14, 2024
Review updated: March 19, 2024
Site Links:
Archive Link: https://archive.ph/iu8AE
Data Sources
- Historical Newspapers
- Local Newspapers
- Chronicling America
Processes
- Initial phase of the project involved collecting historical and local newspaper articles detailing instances of lynching in Virginia.
- Researchers analysed and interpreted the collected sources to construct narratives around each lynching incident. This process involved contextualizing the historical newspaper articles within broader historical and social frameworks.
- After the appropriate newspaper had been located, they were digitized to make them available on the digital platform.
Presentation
The findings are presented through an interactive map, allowing users to explore and understand the geographical distribution of frontier massacres. Information is organized under various categories such as site name, Aboriginal place name, language group, colony, coordinates, date, victims, attackers, weapons, and narrative, creating a comprehensive overview.
Digital Tools Used
The map and visualization are implemented using:
- HTML
- API
- JavaScript
- SQL
Institutional Affiliations
- James Madison University
- Library of Virginia
Languages
English
Review
This project represents a massive effort in uncovering and publicizing the harrowing experiences of racial violence that occurred between 1866 and 1932 across the state of Virginia. Spearheaded by Gianluca De Fazio, associate professor in the Department of Justice Studies at James Madison University and supported by a dedicated team of researchers and digital project experts, this initiative sheds light on a dark chapter of Virginia's history.
At its core, the project serves as a testament to the power of collaborative research and digital preservation. The interactive map of Virginia displaying the locations of each lynching, offers a visceral visualization of the geographical spread of racial terror. This emphasizes the pervasiveness of this violence and serves as a poignant tribute to the countless individuals whose lives were tragically cut short by mob violence, their stories often erased from local histories and collective memories.
Through meticulous research and data collection, the project not only honours the memory of these victims but also challenges the historical amnesia surrounding lynching in Virginia. The inclusion of over 900 historical newspaper articles and 300 pages of archival records provides a rich and comprehensive resource for students, researchers, and the public to engage with this troubling history.
One of the project's most commendable aspects is its commitment to ongoing research and expansion. Over the years, research teams have diligently collected additional data and newspapers, extended the project's reach, and provided a more comprehensive understanding of the extent of racial violence in Virginia. The inclusion of archival records transcribed by researchers further enhances the project's scholarly value, making valuable historical sources accessible to a wider audience.
This project serves as a testament to the power of Digital Humanities in uncovering and preserving forgotten histories. By bringing together scholars, students, and digital experts, this project not only illuminates Virginia's dark legacy of racial violence but also challenges us to reckon with the enduring impact of white supremacy in America. It serves as a call to action for a more just and equitable future, rooted in an honest confrontation with the past.
How does this project address information?
This project addresses information by systematically collecting historical and local newspaper articles documenting instances of lynching in the state. The initiative involves collaboration among researchers and digital project experts. Its first stage focused on acquiring relevant newspaper articles, which were subsequently analyzed and interpreted to construct narratives around each lynching incident. These narratives were contextualized within broader historical and social frameworks, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the events. Additionally, the project digitized local newspapers to ensure broad accessibility on the digital platform, thus preserving historical records for wider dissemination.
How well does this project handle information?
Regarding information management, the project demonstrates adept handling. Through the utilization of various tools, the team developed an interactive map of Virginia that visualizes the locations of each lynching, offering a visually compelling representation of the geographical distribution of racial terror. This visualization emphasizes the widespread breadth of the violence and pays a moving tribute to the marginalized victims. Furthermore, the inclusion of over 900 historical newspaper stories and 300 pages of archival records creates a robust and comprehensive resource for scholars, students, and the public to engage with this troubling history. The project's commitment to ongoing study and development, combined with the inclusion of transcribed historical materials, enhances its scholarly worth and accessibility, resulting in a more nuanced understanding of racial violence in Virginia.