When a noose is more than a Halloween decoration

Jim Bamberger

Courtesy Photo

Let’s look at this human skeleton I recently saw hanging outside a home in Thurston County. It might seem like an ordinary Halloween display. Skeletons, ghosts, witches and other images of death have become commonplace during the Halloween season.

But this skeleton is hanging from a noose and that distinction matters. In the United States, the noose carries a painful and violent history connected to the lynching of Black people. 

Why perspective matters: The meaning of an image is not always the same for everyone who sees it. Imagine two neighbors looking at the same Halloween display.

One sees a skeleton and thinks of Halloween, haunted houses and scary movies. Another sees a human figure hanging by the neck and is reminded of the history of lynching and racial terror in America. Neither person is necessarily seeing the display incorrectly. They are bringing different histories and experiences to what they see.

For many people, particularly those who have never personally encountered racial violence or its imagery, a noose may seem like nothing more than a prop. But for Black Americans, the image can carry a much deeper meaning.

We do not have to assume that someone intended to cause harm in order to recognize that an image may have a painful impact. Living in a predominantly white community, many of us may not have had reason to consider these connections before. That is not a reason for blame; it is a reason for conversation and learning.

Perhaps the most important question is not, “Did I mean anything by it?” but “Now that I understand how this may be experienced by someone else, what can I do differently?”

That is what being part of a community means. We learn from one another, we listen to experiences different from our own, and we gain new understanding. Symbols have histories, understanding those histories helps us understand our neighbors and helps us create a community where everyone feels respected and belongs. 

Here's our ask:  As Halloween approaches, the NAACP of Thurston County invites our community to consider how our decorations may affect the people around us, particularly when skeletons, mannequins or human figures are suspended by their necks from trees or other structures.

Consider choosing another creative way to display these figures. Skeletons can sit around a table, rake leaves, play instruments, sit in porch chairs or greet visitors at the door. A small adjustment can preserve the Halloween fun, while changing the message. Across Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and surrounding communities, our choices can help shape whether our neighbors feel welcome and respected.  

A teachable moment for all of us: As an attorney, I have spent much of my career thinking about the importance of context. Words, actions and symbols can have very different meanings depending upon the circumstances surrounding them.

As a white man, I also recognize that there are experiences with racial imagery that I have not personally had to live with. Something that was never intended to hurt anyone may still hurt someone. Recognizing that is not necessarily an accusation, it’s an opportunity for understanding.

The NAACP has a long history of educating communities about racial injustice and working to build communities where everyone is welcomed and respected. Sometimes that work happens in courtrooms, schools, city council meetings and community organizations. And sometimes it begins with something as simple as seeing a Halloween decoration hanging from a tree and asking ourselves whether we understand the history behind the image. 

This column is intended to help our community understand why civil rights work matters and why learning from one another is so important.

The NAACP of Thurston County welcomes individuals who live or work in Thurston County and share our commitment to advancing civil rights, equity, and justice.

We welcome people of all backgrounds who want to learn, engage, volunteer and support this work. To learn more about our mission, programs, membership and ways to get involved, visit NAACP of Thurston County.  

Jim Bamberger is an attorney, who has dedicated his career to advancing fairness and justice. He is the founding Director of the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid and held leadership positions with Columbia and Spokane Legal Services. He is a member of the NAACP Thurston County Criminal Justice Committee with a passion for justice.