Mount Vernon, Indiana — I've by no means seen something fairly prefer it. Sophie Kloppenburg stepped as much as a lectern, stated her title and with out uttering one other phrase, she obtained a standing ovation.
What did the 17-year-old do to deserve such respect in Posey County, Indiana? She rectified an injustice, 144 years within the making.
In 1878, after a rape allegation, seven Black males had been lynched and 4 of them had been hanged instantly outdoors the county courthouse they by no means received to set foot in. It was the biggest lynching in state historical past. But the entire incident had been largely forgotten — till Kloppenburg heard about it.
She began on the courthouse, searching for a plaque or any point out in any way. She stated there was no public acknowledgement of what occurred.
"I am positive individuals do not wish to keep in mind as a result of it is arduous to recollect powerful issues, nevertheless it's unacceptable to only overlook," Kloppenburg advised CBS Information.
It is also unrealistic to count on others to care as a lot concerning the problem as she did. Posey County is greater than 95% White. Erecting a reminder to a racist previous wasn't precisely a excessive precedence round right here.
However that did not cease Kloppenburg from interesting to the county commissioners. Repeatedly.
Fee president Invoice Collins stated Kloppenburg was very passionate concerning the problem.
"You'd in all probability be hard-pressed to seek out very many seniors in highschool anyplace within the nation that will be prepared to tackle one thing like this," Collins advised CBS Information.
And there are even fewer who might succeed, he stated.
After her standing ovation, Kloppenburg thanked her group.
"I am pleased with Posey County, Indiana, and the attractive individuals right here for having the tough conversations and giving a tangible voice to its minorities," she stated. "Thanks."
This week, due to that diplomatic contact, within the coronary heart of pink America 144 years after that mob gathered within the sq., one other crowd fashioned at the exact same spot. This time to observe Kloppenburg unveil a memorial bench and historical past marker that formally acknowledged the previous and celebrated the progress.
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