U.S. History - The meaning of a noose

A Houston Fire Chief is in trouble because he had a noose in his locker at work.  I read the article and see the commentaries about how many people think that was OK.  They must not realize what the hanging noose symbolizes.  It reflects a horrible aspect of U.S. History, that we need to be ashamed of.  For more information on this see Bill Moyers Journal - PBS

article on Houston Fire Chief and his noose:

"HFD rebukes captain for noose," Houston Chronicle, May 7, 2009

 

Little Pieces of Rope - 1888

When William Caldwell, from Richmond, TX was hanged on charges of murder, men from Fort Bend County attended the hanging.  For souvenirs, they cut little pieces of rope from the hanging noose and pinned them to their lapels.  

From Cemeteries of Ambivalent Desire by MT Hernandez