Lynching Memorial in Alabama

Last week, Dr. Kieran visited my American Studies Seminar course to discuss his book as well as items of memorialization. During our discussion, the existence of this lynching memorial was presented which led to a thoughtful discussion as to the way we address the thousands of lives lost to this racial injustice. I invite you to read the following article, which I will warn has some powerful images.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/25/us/lynching-memorial-alabama.html

I would like to comment on the location of this memorial. In my American Studies course, we discussed that the location made sense as it was set overlooking the Alabama State Capitol. However, we questioned why this memorial isn't in Washington D.C. along with other national memorials and museums––Holocaust museum, the Smithsonian, Korean War memorial, and others along the National Mall. Is there a reason as to why D.C. wasn't the chosen location for this memorial? An idea discussed in my class was that D.C. displays American pride and tradition, many memorials that celebrate our successes. Would the lynching memorial damper the idea of a perfect American identity? Is this something that people can't come to grips with as easily, and acknowledge the victims of white American supremacy? What do you make of this?



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