Explanation: The issue of making lynching an exceptional crime (rather than ‘just’ murder) subject to Federal investigation (and not local ‘good old boys’ covering it up) was a major issue in the early 1900s, with two attempts by Congress to pass anti-lynching bills, one in the 1920s and one in the 1930s. Both failed due to opposition from Senators from Southern states, predictably.
Notably, President Calvin Coolidge supported the anti-lynching bill in the 1920s despite generally having a very… restricted view of Federal power.
Symbolically, an anti-lynching bill was finally passed… in 2022, long after the most intense period of lynching had ended.
Explanation: The issue of making lynching an exceptional crime (rather than ‘just’ murder) subject to Federal investigation (and not local ‘good old boys’ covering it up) was a major issue in the early 1900s, with two attempts by Congress to pass anti-lynching bills, one in the 1920s and one in the 1930s. Both failed due to opposition from Senators from Southern states, predictably.
Notably, President Calvin Coolidge supported the anti-lynching bill in the 1920s despite generally having a very… restricted view of Federal power.
Symbolically, an anti-lynching bill was finally passed… in 2022, long after the most intense period of lynching had ended.
Like closing the barn door after the escaped horse has died of old age.