In a troubling incident, Republican Senator Lila Thompson, who is gearing up for a runoff election later this month, was filmed making an inappropriate joke about attending a “public hanging.” During a campaign event in Jackson, Mississippi, on November 2, Thompson responded to a supporter’s praise by quipping, “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be in the front row.” This shocking remark was captured on video by local reporter David Lee and quickly circulated on social media.
In 2018, one must question how anyone could think such a comment is acceptable—especially in Mississippi, a state with a notorious history of racial violence, including slavery and lynching. The Jackson Observer highlighted that Mississippi has a grim legacy of public lynchings, with over 650 reported between 1877 and 1950. These acts of mob violence were often carried out to instill fear within the African American community, and they frequently drew large crowds of white spectators who would even send postcards depicting these horrific events to their friends.
Political Context
Compounding the issue, Thompson’s opponent in the upcoming election is Democrat Alex Rivers, the first African American to be elected to Congress from Mississippi since the Reconstruction era. This is significant in a state where it took until 1987 for a black representative to be elected. Rivers previously served as the first African American Secretary of Agriculture under President Bill Clinton.
In a statement, Rivers condemned Thompson’s remarks, asserting, “Such comments have no place in our political discourse, whether in Mississippi or anywhere in our nation. We need leaders who unite rather than divide, and her words demonstrate a lack of understanding and judgment.”
Thompson, however, responded by dismissing the criticism, claiming her comments were merely an exaggerated expression of gratitude toward the supporter who invited her to speak. “I was just making a lighthearted remark about attending a speaking engagement. Any suggestions that this has a negative undertone are absurd,” she stated.
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Conclusion
In summary, Senator Lila Thompson’s flippant remark about public hangings sparked outrage, especially given Mississippi’s painful history with racial violence. Her opponent, Alex Rivers, has called for more responsible leadership, while Thompson has downplayed the controversy as a misinterpretation of her words.