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Posey County Historic Marker

Research on Racial Violence in Southwest Indiana

October 21, 2023 Public Lectures and Commemoration Ceremony

On Saturday October 21, organizers, community members, and descendants gathered to hear a series of talks at the Alexandrian Library in Mount Vernon and at the courthouse for a candlelight service commemoration. 

Images courtesy of Daniel Knight - Studio B; Kristalyn Shefveland; Sophie Kloppenburg

October 21, 2023 Commemoration Ceremony

Dr. Laurel Standiford Reyes, a professor of psychology at the University of Southern Indiana and lynching memorial organizer, speaks about the impact that lynching and racism has had on Black people throughout the country

Dr. Laurel Standiford Reyes, a professor of psychology at the University of Southern Indiana and lynching memorial organizer, speaks about the impact that lynching and racism has had on Black people throughout the country

Dr. Mark Auslander, a professor of anthropology at Mount Holyoke, discusses working with descendant communities

Dr. Mark Auslander, a professor of anthropology at Mount Holyoke, discusses working with descendant communities

Dr. Cacee Hoyer Mabis, professor of history at the University of Southern Indiana, discusses the role of education in memorialization efforts

Dr. Cacee Hoyer Mabis, professor of history at the University of Southern Indiana, discusses the role of education in memorialization efforts

Sophie Kloppenburg, event organizer and memorial founder, looks out toward the crowd before the commemoration ceremony begins

Sophie Kloppenburg, event organizer and memorial founder, looks out toward the crowd before the commemoration ceremony begins

Ray Kessler, the president of the Mount Vernon Historical Society, gives an introductry and contextual speech about the racial climate in 1870s Southern Indiana at the first corner

Ray Kessler, the president of the Mount Vernon Historical Society, gives an introductry and contextual speech about the racial climate in 1870s Southern Indiana at the first corner

Seth Rainey, a local state police sergeant and coach, recites a book excerpt written by Andre Le Mont Wilson between the 1st and 2nd corner. Andre is a writer and descendent of Daniel Harris(on) Sr., John Harris(on), and Daniel Harris(on) Junior

Seth Rainey, a local state police sergeant and coach, recites a book excerpt written by Andre Le Mont Wilson between the 1st and 2nd corner. Andre is a writer and descendent of Daniel Harris(on) Sr., John Harris(on), and Daniel Harris(on) Junior

David Bonds, a descendant from Jim Good, speaks at the 2nd corner about the atrocity

David Bonds, a descendant from Jim Good, speaks at the 2nd corner about the atrocity

Lynette Troutman, a student and descendant of Jim Good, recites the poem, “New Day’s Lyric” by Amanda Gorman

Lynette Troutman, a student and descendant of Jim Good, recites the poem, “New Day’s Lyric” by Amanda Gorman

Kerry Tyus, a local highschool student and athlete, recites a piece of spoken word that was written by Aaron Bonds who is the director of Actor Interpretation and Theater of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and a descendent of Jim Good

Kerry Tyus, a local highschool student and athlete, recites a piece of spoken word that was written by Aaron Bonds who is the director of Actor Interpretation and Theater of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and a descendent of Jim Good

Regina Bonds and Stevie Bonds give a speech at the 4th corner written by Diana Daniels, about how their families have prospered despite the lynching’s generational trauma. Diana is the Executive Director of the Indiana Council of Educating Students of Color and all three are descendants of Jim Good

Regina Bonds and Stevie Bonds give a speech at the 4th corner written by Diana Daniels, about how their families have prospered despite the lynching’s generational trauma. Diana is the Executive Director of the Indiana Council of Educating Students of Col

Local pastor Bryan Thompson gives a prayer asking attendees to keep the seven men and other victims of racial injustice in their prayers

Local pastor Bryan Thompson gives a prayer asking attendees to keep the seven men and other victims of racial injustice in their prayers

A woman somberly listens to one of the speakers

A woman somberly listens to one of the speakers

Sophie Kloppenburg gives closing remarks for the ceremony

Sophie Kloppenburg gives closing remarks for the ceremony

Subjects: History