Strange Fruit

The WSJ had an article on May 1st, pg A13, about the song “Strange Fruit” sung by Billie Holiday in the 30’s, and other musical protests concerning the lynching of mixed race people in the Jim Crow era.

It is a haunting song musically and even more so lyrically. I love Billie Holiday, not only for the music but for her courage in those times. The article mentions that lynching although illegal, was under-prosecuted by the states. The Senate passed a bill in 2018 making it a federal crime, the House has yet to pass it.

We tend to forget how we collectively allow injustice to continue, whether conservative or progressive, we are all guilty.

“First They Came for the Jews”
By Pastor Niemoller

 
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.