Lynchings in NYC

A couple of years ago, out of extreme boredom, I started doing research on lynchings that occurred within NYC. I had been wondering if they were as prevalent historically here as they were down South – I seriously hoped not but I decided to look any way. What I found rocked me to very core with its proximity.

I discovered that during the 1800s, a man was hanged on Clarkson Street, which ironically is now the home of Hot 97, considered hip-hop’s #1 radio station in the nation and Kiss FM.

What was super eerie was that I happened to be on that same block (at my former job) at the time of the finding.

In addition and I couldn’t find any primary evidence but I spotted a few comments online about the gang wars that occurred in the 1950s between Italians and Puerto Ricans.

Apparently, a dark skinned Puerto Rican was murdered and strung from a lamp post in front of what was then Benjamin Franklin HS (now Manhattan Center for Science and Math), by the Rao’s restaurant, adjacent to Jefferson Park and the FDR. At some point, the community wanted to commemorate the location with a plaque but I’m not sure what happened with that and couldn’t find any further information. This sort of stuff didn’t make the news, not even back then.

What was scary for me was that I spent many, many days in my adolescent and teen years at that very location. In fact, my aunt and uncle lived around the corner from Rao’s.

As for recorded crimes, this is what I found:

Lynchings: By State and Race, 1882-1968 *
State /White /Black /Total
New York /1 /1/ 2

Um, yeah…

Spread the love

More Articles for You

What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About Death, Technology, and Social Change

In a world where technology seems to dominate every facet of our lives, there’s something profoundly humbling about turning back …

Spread the love

Beyond Bread: Bakers in the Family, Pan de Agua and Casabe

I can picture us. Two, little rail-thin girls with long braided hair down our backs, holding hands as we walked …

Spread the love

How to Pull Back the Curtain: Heroes, Flaws, Boundaries and Creativity

I think a lot about exposure. I guess it comes with the territory of being a writer, and a communications …

Spread the love

Curating Caribbean Heritage: A List of Must-Read Books

This is how I honor and celebrate the diversity and richness of the islands and their cultural diasporas, reflecting on …

Spread the love

On Growing up in East Harlem: Italian (Barese) and Puerto Rican Heritage

I was thrilled to chat with podcaster, and fellow author and family historian Bob Sorrentino earlier this month. During our …

Spread the love

Food Culture: The Best Podcast for “Top Chef” Fans

The food we eat, how we eat and prepare it is so intricately tied to our culture, our heritage and …

Spread the love