Strange Fruit
Sign from Legacies of Lynching conference on March 1, 2025 in Chapel Hill, NC
“Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.”
Listening to this song as a child and even as a young adult, I felt something stirring within my soul. The raw emotion of the song, along with the strength and tone of the voice, conveyed to my body, even before I could fully grasp its meaning, that I needed to pay attention. It wasn't until I was older and more informed about the history of Black people in this country and Billie Holiday's life that I realized the song's true significance. It evokes a strange kind of knowing that comes from understanding how dangerous it is to be Black in America and the strength required to continually move forward regardless. This awareness arises from discovering and learning about the coded language of this song, the “hushed history.”
On Saturday, March 1st, 2025, the Center for the Study of the American South and Southern Futures hosted the inaugural Legacies of Lynching gathering on behalf of the North Carolina Community Remembrance Coalitions. The gathering focused on honoring the memories of those lost to lynching, fostering collaboration, and building a statewide network committed to uncovering the truth to chart a path forward. Throughout the day, attendees worked to unearth what one panel termed “hushed histories.” These hushed histories resonated with me because they highlighted how society does not discuss the strange fruit described by Ms. Holiday. Not only does society fail to address instances of lynching, but victims' families often remain unaware of the lives and deaths of their loved ones. This lack of awareness stems from multiple sources; as many panelists pointed out, the victims' family members were often traumatized and fearful of discussing the events. As these individuals' stories and experiences are spoken about less and less, we create “hushed histories.”
Throughout the day, speakers and attendees shared their experiences exploring these often-overlooked histories within their families and communities. They expressed the pain of discovering loss, the anger over injustice, and the resilience they relied on to ensure the truth was revealed. It was awe-inspiring to witness the various ways community members, leaders, artists, and researchers have dedicated themselves to honoring the lives of their ancestors. By speaking their names and sharing the truth about their murders, they were acting in the form of resistance. One speaker demonstrated this as he recounted the story of how it was discovered that his uncle was lynched. He shared that there was one witness to the act but that he was terrified to say a word. The only thing prompting him to break his silence was the demand of the victim’s brother. He begged him to tell the truth. Without the witness’s testimony, the family would never know what truly happened and would be left with the narrative of his murderers.
Sometimes, we forget how impactful just speaking can be. It is sometimes seen as inaction or fruitless, but history tells a different story. On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most impactful speeches in the Civil Rights Movement. His words call a nation to end the brutality its Black citizens faced at the hands of white supremacy and hate. Sen. Cory Booker’s 25-hour speech recently broke the record length of Sen. Strom Thurmond’s 1957 filibuster against civil rights and called our nation to action once more. In both instances, these speeches can be seen as words strategically strung together to express their views, hopes, and desires. Delivering these speeches, especially when your skin exhibits a particular hue, is a reclamation of power.
Speaking has the power to stir a nation and illuminate the truth. The truth can give rise to hope, and hope can light the path to justice and liberation. The Legacies of Lynching gathering served as a powerful reminder to speak.