DBQ: Illustrations

"Execution of Jose Forner, Dec. 10, 1852," n.d. 
(Gonzales-Day, K., 2006, p. 166)

1. Of what is this an illustration? Describe what you see.
2. Locate information and details that indicate whether this is a fabricated illustration or an illustration of an authentic lynching.
3. Interpret the components of the illustration. Based on your understanding of the role of race in vigilante justice, how is this illustration an example of racial stereotyping (pay attention to the text)?
4. Compare the artist’s rendering of the mob to the rendering of the victim. What does the composition tell you about how the mob perceived the lynching? Based on your interpretation, would/could the mob have made another choice?
5. Evaluate the arguments for and against vigilante justice. Do you think that if this illustration is an accurate representation of the actual lynching it implies something about the way justice is perceived?
6. Develop a personal statement of defense as though you were the victim. How will you respond to the charges against you (refer to the text at the bottom of the image)?

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Unidentified artist, "Man with a Top Hat at Summary Execution," n.d. 
(Gonzales-Day, 2006, p. 90)

1. What is happening in this image? How would you describe the setting and the people?
2. Explain how you know whether or not this is an illustration of a real event.
3. Interpret the significance of the artist’s emphasis on the dynamic actions and reactions of the mob.
4. Compare and contrast the man standing with his back to the viewer in the cart to the other individuals present. How is he an example of the influence of a mob on a community?
5. Argue whether or not there is a moral difference between those watching the execution and those actively involved in the execution of the victim.
6. Write a newspaper interview with the man with the hat standing on the cart with his back to the viewer published in the next day’s paper.  You can choose whether it is a Latino or Anglo American newspaper.

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"Seal of the San Francisco Vigilance Committee," 1856-1957. 
(Gonzales-Day, 2006, p. 89)

1. Describe the design of the image. What do you see?
2. Identify the information that indicates this is an authentic seal of the San Francisco Vigilance Committee.
3. Demonstrate how the presence of this committee impacts the community.
4. Analyze how the committee views their role in the community as law enforcers based on this image.
5. Assess what the eye indicates about morality and authority. How does your contemporary ethics play a role in interpreting this image?
6. Write a brief constitution for this committee. Include a statement of purpose and rules of order.

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Top: Boeringer, "Head of Joaquin Murrieta," n.d. 
(Gonzales-Day, 2006, p. 182)

Bottom: "The Head of the Removed Bandit! Joaquin!" n.d. 
(Gonzales-Day, 2006, p. 179)

1. Describe what you see in the two images.
2. Is this image historically authentic? Explain how you know.
3. Interpret the text. How does the text shape social perception of the individual?
4. Compare the illustration to the poster text. How do the two correspond? Do they differ in their message?
5. Do you agree that this is a fair representation of the individual? How does the entertainment value of the poster relate to the individual?
6. Compose another version of a notice documented Murrieta's execution based on your interpretation of a just legal process in the U.S. Consider how newspapers portrayed suspects in contemporary and past society when designing your own.

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"Hanging of the Mexican Woman," n.d. 
(Gonzales-Day, 2006, p. 186)

1. Describe this image. What is unusual about it?
2. Discuss whether or not this was a real event. How do you know?
3. Interpret the significance of the image in the context of the following statement: “Josefa/Juanita the first woman and only woman to be lynched in California’s history” (Gonzales-Day, 2006 p. 185).
4. Compare this image to portrayals of lynchings of male latinos; interpret the importance of the similarities and differences.
5. Josefa/Juanita “was a self-confessed murderer.” Do you think this makes execution by a “vigilance committee” just? Support your argument (Gonzales-Day, 2006, p. 185)
6. Illustrate what Josefa/Juanita might have seen from her perspective.

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"Execution scene in Los Angeles by the Vigilance Committee," 1863. 
(Gonzales-Day, 2006, p. 192)

1. What is happening in the image (pay careful attention to the victims)?
2. Explain how you know that this represents a real event.
3. Applying your knowledge of other lynchings, what is the cultural significance of the presence of women in the crowd?
4. Compare this image to contemporary media portrayals criminals (include similarities and differences). How did social perceptions of male verses female corruption inform how lynching victims might have been chosen?
5. Evaluate the people somewhat removed from the execution scene. Argue for the significance or insignificance of their position in the crowd verses those pressed up towards the execution block.
6. Suppose the victims were Anglo-Americans and the executioners were latino. Predict the implications for the executioners.