IBLC: Lucas wrong to use noose imagery in online post

INDIANAPOLIS—State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), today issued the following statement in response to a photo posted online by State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) of a gallows with nooses on a story about an African-American man who pleaded guilty to rape:

“The type of behavior exhibited by Rep. Lucas is abhorrent. The history behind an image of a noose is something that we all know too well as a powerful visual symbol connected to the history of lynching of African-Americans in this country.

“We must work together to stop the normalization of racism and hate that has risen in the past couple of years in our country and state. As an elected official and lawmaker, we would have hoped Rep. Lucas would use his platform to work against these detriments to our society.

“We invite Rep. Lucas to meet with members of the IBLC and talk about the photo he posted, so that we may, as colleagues, share with him how his actions are hurtful and intimidating to the African-American community.”