▼ Bad look for PressleyCriminal Justice
Opinion | Are Lynchings Really Happening?
McWhorter examines Pressley’s call for an investigation and challenges her characterization of the deaths as a national crisis.

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TAP FOR WHYOutlet credibilityThe New York Times94/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Sep 27, 2026
SOURCEThe New York Times
Published Sep 24, 2026
tl;dr
John McWhorter argues that the evidence cited so far does not establish a wave of lynchings, while supporting a federal investigation. He criticizes Representative Ayanna Pressley’s description of the deaths as a national crisis and urges greater focus on current challenges facing Black Americans.
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Ayanna Pressley D · MA-7
Rated by people, not pundits.● OPEN
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Ayanna Pressley
D · MA-7
Called for a federal investigation into hanging deaths of Black people and described the deaths as a national crisis.
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