Bill Overview
Title: Evaluating Lynching Locations (ELL) for National Park Sites Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites within approximately 100 miles of Memphis, Tennessee, at which lynchings took place. In conducting the special resource study, Interior shall (1) evaluate the national significance of such study area, and (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System.
Sponsors: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Target Audience
Population: People interested in U.S. racial history and heritage conservation
Estimated Size: 40000000
- The bill focuses on sites related to lynchings near Memphis, Tennessee, a region with historically significant African American populations.
- Sites of racial violence have broad significance for African American communities both in historical understanding and cultural heritage.
- Lynching history is a sensitive and significant part of American history, particularly affecting African American communities.
- Preserving these sites can have an educational impact on the broader society by highlighting historical injustices.
Reasoning
- The Nashville region is crucial due to its history and significant African American population, which would be the primary focus of the policy.
- The number of people aware and directly interested in visiting or supporting these sites will be much smaller than the 40-50 million potential audience described.
- Given the sensitivity and historical importance of lynching sites, the policy may have varying degrees of emotional and psychological impact on people, even if they are not physically close to the sites.
- The educational and cultural potential of the policy is high, especially for those passionate about racial history, educators, and historians.
Simulated Interviews
History teacher (Memphis, TN)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe understanding our past helps heal old wounds.
- This project could enhance my teaching resources significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Museum curator (Nashville, TN)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an essential effort to preserve an ugly but important part of history.
- It will offer more materials and stories for our exhibitions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Tech worker (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's necessary, but I don't feel connected to it.
- I'm glad it's happening, but it won't affect my daily life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Civil rights activist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognizing these sites as parks can be a significant educational tool.
- It honors those who suffered and educates future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Professor of African American Studies (Jackson, MS)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An invaluable resource for educators and students.
- It could support my research on racial violence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Retired (Little Rock, AR)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'd visit these sites if they become national parks.
- It's an important story that needs to be told.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
College student (Austin, TX)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could serve as a powerful educational field trip.
- It might inspire my own academic work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Social worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope it brings awareness to a broader audience.
- It could indirectly influence my community work by increasing understanding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Environmental engineer (Memphis, TN)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important for community and educational growth.
- Pleased to see local acknowledgment of historical issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Freelance journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could provide new stories and perspectives for my work.
- Helps to bring light to untold stories outside of major cities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 2: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 3: $2700000 (Low: $2200000, High: $3200000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The importance of researching and preserving historically significant sites relating to lynching.
- The sensitivity of the subject, involving racial violence, which demands careful handling in public communications.
- Potential to enhance educational resources connected to civil rights history.