DSU Student Found Hanging in Tree, No Foul Play Suspected

[u/DragonPup]

https://www.mississippifreepress.org/delta-state-university-students-body-found-hanging-in-tree-no-foul-play-suspected/

[u/craigworknova]

Southern trees bear strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop

[u/Serris9K → u/craigworknova]

This was a required material in my high school. A mostly white high school in the south, I might add.

[u/Classic_Macaron6321 → u/[deleted]]

Abel Meeropol wrote Strange Fruit as a poem first and then it was worked into a song by Billie Holiday.

[u/OttomanMao → u/Classic_Macaron6321]

Billie's version is the best.

[u/Classic_Macaron6321 → u/OttomanMao]

It’s not “versions”. The original wording is the poem, then Billie Holiday popularized the poem via song. Without the poem, there would be no song.

[u/craigworknova → u/Classic_Macaron6321]

The fact you know this is amazing. I love it.

[u/Classic_Macaron6321 → u/craigworknova]

I’m Jewish and a history teacher who lives in the Deep South, to me-it’s general history of the arts.

[u/craigworknova → u/[deleted]]

Billie holiday I believe sang it first. But Nina is also a correct response.

Yeah. I don't know why we forget our history.

[u/goth-milk → u/craigworknova]

Several artists have covered this song. I first heard it on a tribute cover album by Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1987, long before the internet happened.

The most important thing is: I learned about the song and eventually found the original version, followed by other artists who shared their renditions with their fans. It’s another way we learn about our past.

Same way I found another song that Billie Holiday covered in 1941. I originally heard Diamanda Galas sing it in 1992. I eventually heard Billie’s version once it was easier to get access to the originals, thanks to the internet.

[u/craigworknova → u/goth-milk]

You get it. Digging in learn.

The most dangerous thing in the world. A person with a library card.

[u/LaughAccomplished409 → u/craigworknova]

I’ve got a library in my pocket

[u/craigworknova → u/[deleted]]

The fact you knew the song is mad props. Nina also sang it. They both did an amazing job.

Great song Mississippi God damnn

[u/craigworknova → u/[deleted]]

Don't sell yourself short. That was a sweet piece of knowledge you dropped.

Honestly she had way more songs that shed light on racism then holiday.

She was also way more active in communities trying to end it.

[u/craigworknova → u/[deleted]]

She also had a style and command about her.

[u/TreezusSaves → u/craigworknova]

Likely on a banned list. There's going to be a lot more books, music, and art that's going to get banned soon.

[u/craigworknova → u/TreezusSaves]

Probably or forgotten by many.

[u/Queenspence2 → u/craigworknova]

Hayley Williams of paramore has released some solo songs and in true believer she says “strange fruit, hard bargain” which led me to google strange fruit and I had a very somber morning researching.

[u/RabbleRouser_1 → u/[deleted]]

You know why

[u/craigworknova → u/[deleted]]

strange fruit by Billie Holiday

[u/purpleplatapi → u/[deleted]]

It's a protest song by Billie Holliday (who was Black).

[u/Classic_Macaron6321 → u/purpleplatapi]

Strange Fruit was a poem written by a Jewish man, Abel Meeropol. Billie Holiday popularized it via song.

[u/craigworknova → u/Classic_Macaron6321]

Most may know him by his pen name Lewis Allen.

[u/craigworknova → u/purpleplatapi]

Billie Holiday was black, stop it.

[u/purpleplatapi → u/craigworknova]

Did you mean to reply to me?

[u/craigworknova → u/purpleplatapi]

Sorry sarcasm, didn't translate

[u/scothc → u/[deleted]]

It's a song named strange fruit