Mr. Danye Jones, Victim of Modern Racism and Traditional Abuse

Lynchings Today: Mr. Danye Jones

As we have learned throughout the course thus far, the eyes of most racists care not for the right to life.  For, most racists consider rights essentially nonexistent for those lesser to them, and they have since the beginning of slavery to now.

Several days ago, as Mr. Stewart was lecturing us on the lifestyles of slaves and now-freed blacks, someone asked when lynchings really ended.  When, exactly, did the torture and attacks on others in order to subjugate them and instill fear within them, end?  As he responded, some may say they never stopped: now, they take the name of murder, or sexual assault, or anything of the sort.

Yet, sadly enough, the inquirer’s image of such horribly classic lynchings with a hanged man (because of his race) and demeaning manipulation of the body, happen still today.  Just a week ago, black 24-year-old real-estate business owner Mr. Danye Jones was targeted, physically harassed, and hanged.

*DISCLAIMER* The following are facts of the case, which some may find unsettling to read and somewhat graphic.  Read at your own will.

The facts of the case:

• His mother, Melissa McKinnies, is a known activist promoting racial justice and has received death threats
• She reported that Jones’ face and body were bruised and that he had indentations on his wrists
• His pants were rolled down
• The bed sheet used to hang him was tied in a “military style” knot, and he would not know how to do that according to his family: “My son was not in any military.  Not a boycott.  At all.  Not in a militia.  None of that…"
• The bed sheet was not from the family’s home
• He left with an overnight bag the previous night, suggesting he was planning on staying at another destination, but the bag was found on McKinnies’ porch later
• McKinnies and her family had seen and dealt with lurkers in cars by her house prior
• With his real estate business just beginning and the way he was with everyone, his mother refuses to acknowledge the idea of “suicide” and says that he was not depressed
• His body was hanged from a tree in his mother's front lawn

And yet, after all this, the police are ruling the death a suicide.  While this may seem like a just possibility, the details and testimony of Jones’ mother alone should be enough to garner more attention from the law enforcement.  However, it happened in Missouri, and not too long ago, the same awful activity was normal there.

While lynchings may not be considered so typical now, there was one more thing about the in-class lectures that got to me: the police often helped in lynchings, even public ones.  Those public lynchings were not swiftly ended by law enforcement.  I do not mean to generalize the idea that police officers are all racist or help in lynchings—I just want to see more of them honor the concept of equality before the law, theoretically guaranteed to freed blacks since the 14th Amendment, yet still not truly enforced.  If all the facts of the case point the police to a different direction, then the case of Danye Jones’ death deserves at least the equal attention from the law that a white man’s sudden death may warrant.  Basically, as Desmond Tutu once said, "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."  This case is exactly where the police need to defy their ancestors on the force.

Danye Jones deserves better, from the law enforcement and from the people of America.  If racists become the new norm in this country, Danye Jones will not be the last to suffer.