Today's feature is not old, and it is also horrific. On this date in 1998, James Byrd, Jr. was murdered in Jasper, Texas. This was a crime that shocked the nation (rightfully so). Three white supremacists chained him to the back of a pickup and dragged him to his death. During this horrific act, he was mostly alive, according to autopsy reports. I won't go into all the details. His death did result in legislation being passed statewide and nationwide concerning hate crimes.
For more information, please check out:
http://todayinafricanamericanhistory.com/african-american-history/june-7th-in-african-american-history-james-byrd-jr/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Byrd_Jr
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7105192
I had forgot about this. I am glad to be reminded as this man should never be forgotten about. How terrible to die in such a way at the hands of hateful people.
ReplyDelete