Lynching of Laura and L. D. Nelson

This historical photograph portrays a crowd at the aftermath of the lynching of Laura Nelson and her son L.D. Nelson in Oklahoma in 1911. The Nelsons were accused of shooting a deputy sheriff who came to investigate a theft of livestock. Before their trial of the accused crimes, both Laura Nelson and her son were lynched and put on display in which their bodies hung on a bridge. The people who committed this horrific act were never prosecuted for their crimes. The photograph was reproduced as a postcard, and sold at local stores.

Paris Exposition., 1900

On August 23, 1900 Bishop Alexander Walters wrote a piece on the 1900 Paris Exposition, in the Star Zion Newspaper. Walters described how small African American communities created beautiful buildings. He expressed his astonishment towards the tremendous tribes African American were making after the Emancipation Proclamation. In addition, Bishop Walters explained that what he saw was something that he felt he needed to show the entire country in order to change the way whites viewed blacks because it demonstrates that with opportunity and education blacks are capable of extraordinary things. Finally, Walters explained that with help blacks are also capable of helping the economy by having their own businesses and factories.

Booker T. Washington before the Congress on Labor, World’s Columbian Exposition, August 1893, Chicago

In August of 1839, Booker T. Washington gave a speech in front of the Congress of Labor at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In his speech, Washington discussed the idea of the advancement of inclusion for the African American community. He also spoke about how when given the slightest opportunity, blacks were continuously oppressed and had to work harder to make ends meet for themselves as well as their families. In addition to that, Booker T. Washington believed that if slavery had taught African Americans anything, it would be the importance of work. When given the chance, blacks would be more than willing to help themselves economically.

What Booker Washington Did: Worked In Coal Pit:

On March 25, 1922, The Chicago Defender wrote an article on Booker T. Washington’s beliefs, which helped him stand out as an impactful representative of African American community.[3] The article talks about how he grew up as a slave, and how he had no opportunity to attend school, even after the Civil War. Even though he was penniless, Booker T. Washington understood that for him to improve his economic status he had to improve his education. In addition to that, The Chicago Defender expressed how Washington—after he achieved success—wanted to help the African American community understand that education was the only way to make their lives better.

Work Cited:

1. Serrato, Gabriela. “StMU History Media.” StMU History Media – Featuring Historical Research, Writing, and Media at St. Mary’s University. January 18, 2019. Accessed May 09, 2019. https://www.stmuhistorymedia.org/the-lynching-era-the-tragic-hanging-of-laura-and-l-d-nelson/.
2. WALTERS, A. 1900. “Paris Exposition.” Star of Zion 24 (33): 5. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=h7i&AN=72539818&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
3. https://asp6new.alexanderstreet.com/gild/gild.object.details.aspx?dorpID=1001284892&fulltext=African Americans.
4. “What Booker Washington did: WORKED IN COAL PIT.” 1922.The Chicago Defender (National Edition) (1921-1967), Mar 25, 20. https://envoy.dickinson.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/491919701?accountid=10506.