“21st Century Lynchings: Meditations on Police Killings of Unarmed Black Men,” California State University, February 9, 2016
“On behalf of California State University Stanislaus and the Department of History we write to thank you for your exceptional presentation for Black History Month, February 9, 2016. Students and faculty alike have offered many favorable comments on your presentation, entitled, “21st Century Lynchings? Meditations on Police Shootings of Unarmed Black Men.” Your keynote address was timely and drew larger than normal attendance as evidenced by the deluge of people surrounding you with questions following the event. Furthermore, it served to inspire opportunities for class discussions and great contemplation on linking past precedents to inform current circumstances.”
Dr. Marjorie Sanchez Walker
History Chair, California State University
“21st Century Lynchings: Meditations on Police Killings of Unarmed Black Men,” California State University, February 9, 2016
“Dr. Karlos Hill visited our campus on February 9, 2016 as a keynote speaker for our campus’s annual observation of Black History Month. The talk, titled “21st-Century Lynchings? Meditations on Police Shootings of Unarmed Black Men,” was cogently presented and very well attended. Its explanation for the application of the historically grounded and emotionally-charged term “lynching” to recent episodes of racial violence is compelling and generated considerable discussion afterward. The quality of this talk was important in making our BHM event a success.”
Dr. Bret Carroll
Chair of Black History Month, California State University
“The Lynching Blues: Robert Johnson’s Hellhound on My Trail as a Lynching Ballad,” Center for the Study of Southern Culture’s Blues Today Symposium at the University of Mississippi, April 9, 2015
“Dr. Hill’s engaging lecture “The Lynching Blues: Robert Johnson’s ‘Hellhound on My Trail’ as Anti-Lynching Protest” was the highlight of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture’s Blues Today Symposium at the University of Mississippi in 2015. Hill’s insights prompted students and faculty alike to think more deeply about blues as protest music. We’ll not soon forget his visit to our campus.”
James G. Thomas
Associate Director, Center of the Study of Southern Culture
“The KKK in Texas: Historic Importance and Ongoing Legacies,” The Bullock Texas State History Museum, June 10, 2014
“Dr. Hill took part in a panel presentation at the Bullock Museum in the summer of 2014 which set up a framework through which our audience could analyze updates to our interpretation of late 19th and early 20th century Texas history—specifically, the history of the KKK and its ongoing importance in Texas history. Dr. Hill provided a succinct and well-delivered overview from his perspective as a historian of lynching and addressed questions from both a moderator and from the audience, giving an understanding of a very violent time in our state’s history that brought the moment to life without sensationalizing it. His knowledge of and passion for his topic was clear and the conversation following the program (always one of our greatest markers of success) was robust.”