The Scholar: Maya Zesiger

The Project: Capital Punishment: The Modern Continuation of Lynching 

The Essential Question: “My project explores how lynching has shaped the modern death penalty and its perpetuation of racial hierarchy and black oppression. Lynching is an extrajudicial form of execution led by mobs, used to punish people without a formal trial. After the Reconstruction Amendments where Black people experienced an increase in civil rights, there was a rise in racial lynchings to protect white supremacy. The modern U.S. criminal justice system is widely chastised for being an institution rooted in systemic racism. Capital punishment is a polarizing issue that is criticized for targeting people of color through racial profiling, biased jury selection, and inadequate counseling. My research focuses on the parallels of racial punishment in lynching and capital punishment and the continuity of modern racism in the criminal justice system.“

Surprising Discovery: “In my research, I was surprised to learn about “lynching picnics,” which were social gatherings at public lynching executions. These assemblies of mobs were typically attended by white communities that encompassed a demonstration of brutal violence. The term “picnic” was derived from the crowd’s laughter, food, and chants of racial slurs. These lynching picnics came to represent a celebratory display of white supremacy, instilling fear and undermining the rise of Black civil rights.“

Biggest Challenge: “I felt overwhelmed by the abundance and variety of sources that were at my disposal. It was challenging to narrow down and prioritize which sources to explore and employ in the research process.“

Tip for future scholars: “I would encourage students to pursue Williston Scholars as an opportunity to learn more about a topic of genuine interest. I think this class was so enjoyable for me because I was researching something I was curious and eager to learn more about.“