The Lynching of Rubin Stacy

This photograph shows the hanging of Rubin Stacy, a homeless tenant farmer, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 19, 1935. Stacy had gone to Mrs. Marion Jones' house to ask for food, when Mrs. Jones became frightened at the sight of Stacy's face. Six deputies were then escorting Stacy to the county prison when, as the deputies reported, a mob of 100 masked men ran the car off the road and proceeded to shoot Stacy before hanging him. The fact that six deputies were escorting Stacy to the county jail shows the extreme reactions that white Southerns had towards black Southerners. In very rare cases would the transportation of an individual necessitate the use of that many deputies.

In the context of this time period, the lynching was possibly carried out by the Ku Klux Klan. It is also possible that the masked mob was composed of violent white Southerners, not part of the Klan, who had heard about the encounter between Stacy and Mrs. Jones. The extremely violent reactions towards African Americans at this time in Southern history is one of the leading hindrances to the efficacy of Reconstruction. Although freed, black Southerners had few economic, social, and political opportunity and autonomy. Asking for help or even interacting with the wrong someone could result in a violent death for black Southern individuals such as Mr. Stacy. Reconstruction policies were intended to benefit black Americans but were often set up in a way where racism and violence could essentially halt any possible benefits of these policies.

The photograph displays Stacy's hanging body and his tied hands, while white spectators look amused, or at least not disturbed by the murderous and gruesome display they are gazing at. Shown in the photo are four young girls. Their presence is a testament to the attitude that white Southerners had towards black Southerners. That attitude is one of violence and a disregard for their livelihood and humanity. It is clear from the picture that none of the spectators feel remorse for Mr. Stacy.