“Site/Possession” by William Christenberry

After reading the press release and seeing the museum, I walked away with certain unease about the exhibit and of the artist. Knowing that Christenberry has been haunted by the eyes of the hooded Klan member he ran into forty years before made me take a second look at his objectives and design. Once inside the red curtains there seemed to be walls of Klan member’s surrounding you. Around the exhibit were G.I. Joe dolls dressed as Klan’s members hanged, drenched in wax, stabbed with pins and in coffins. I noticed he made all his drawings in deep red, dark blue and white backgrounds, exposing the Klan’s so called “Patriotism.” I noticed how he places the frames in a cross and has a christening blanket with KKK embroidered to represent their strong “Christianity” faith. While the exhibit was very educational, I thought it showcased an artist’s obsession with a moment in time.

The exhibit, a bit eerie, was not painful to view. I’m glad to see an emotional piece of southern identity shown and not covered up; as much as we’re ashamed it happened. By allowing it at the University of Mississippi I think the school is letting students and the community take a closer look at one man’s perspective on this piece of southern history.

From an editorial stand point I think concerns would be: should we replicate it? Should we allow lynched Klan dolls and rag dolls that flip into hooded figures? With the Presidential Debate coming in less than a month, is it wise to have such an exhibit out with an African American candidate running? History should not be neglected even if we’re ashamed it took place but would people be okay with a replication of a gas chamber with a Nazi soldier in it? Probably not. We should ask ourselves, is the exhibit a proper way to explain hate crimes?