The Truth Will Set You Free

An event has happened upon which it is difficult to speak and impossible to remain silent.

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June 15, 1920–one of the saddest days in Minnesota history when three black men were beaten and lynched by a white mob based upon a false accusation of rape. If you visit the city of Duluth you might come across the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial which commemorates these men and the events that transpired on that dark day. I was shocked the first time I explored the downtown area of Duluth and found myself in front of this memorial reading their sad story. If you’ve been raised in the North you tend to believe these are the morbid atrocities of the South. Of course, this is not true. In reality—deception, injustice, and prejudice are not limited to any one region, race, gender, or age. Sadly, it was the testimony of a young woman, Irene Tusken, that led to the tragic death of these three innocent men.

Another man, Max Mason, escaped the lynching but was later tried and convicted of raping Ms. Tusken with no evidence to support the claim. He served close to five years in prison and then was paroled. His record never cleared. His life never the same. A different kind of lynching—this stealing of name, reputation, and freedom.

It would take 100 years for the state of Minnesota to grant Mr. Mason a posthumous pardon. Exoneration. Some say this is too little and too late. Justice was surely long in coming. But truth is a mighty powerful balm. Jesus said it is the knowing of truth that sets us free. The proclaiming of truth plays out in all of life, in deeply personal and societal ways. It is right and good that truth has been declared over these men, over the injustices they experienced in this lifetime.

Irene Tusken's father later expressed regret regarding the violence of that night stating he "had considered going downtown on the 15th to try to stop it." We'll never know how these events might have been altered had Mr. Tusken spoken out. However today, in this moment, we all have our own opportunities to speak truth courageously, to encourage fairness, to seek civility. Perhaps this is the way we honor the lives and the memory of these men—we can be kinder, better people.

Elias Clayton

Elmer Jackson

Isaac McGhie

Max Mason

…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭