Meaning of "Strange Fruit" by Cassandra Wilson

The powerful lyrics of "Strange Fruit" by Cassandra Wilson paint a vivid picture of the brutal reality of lynching in the Southern United States. The haunting imagery of "strange fruit" hanging from trees serves as a chilling metaphor for the Black bodies that were lynched and left to rot in public spaces as a form of racial terrorism. The juxtaposition of the pastoral scene with the grotesque details of the lynching - the bulging eyes, twisted mouth, and burning flesh - highlights the stark contrast between the idealized image of the South and the brutal racial violence that took place within it. The repetition of the line "Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck" emphasizes the dehumanization and disposability of Black lives in the eyes of those who perpetrated these heinous acts. The song serves as a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted history of racism and violence in America, calling attention to the systemic injustices and inequality faced by Black people.