Carencro Commemorates Lynching Victims Louis Senegal and Antoine Domingue
Carencro unveiled a historical marker memorializing lynching victims Louis Senegal and Antoine Domingue, marking a first for Lafayette Parish. The event, aimed at raising awareness and promoting reconciliation, highlights the historical context of racial terror and violence in the South. President of MTM, Ola Prejean, emphasized the importance of acknowledging these dark chapters in history, with descendants like Maya Senegal expressing the significance of this memorial for family heritage.
Carencro has unveiled a memorial honoring Louis Senegal and Antoine Domingue, two Black men who were lynched in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This historical marker, located at 409 Veterans Drive, is a significant step, as it represents the first acknowledgment of lynching victims in Lafayette Parish. The intention behind this memorial is to foster awareness regarding the history of racial terror and to promote reconciliation within the community.
On March 29, the community united in remembrance, led by Move the Mindset and the Lafayette Parish Community Remembrance Project, to honor Senegal and Domingue. This permanent tribute highlights the widespread racial violence that characterized the South during that era. The president of MTM, Ola Prejean, emphasized that such events remind us of a dark chapter in American history, noting the prevalent white supremacy that subverted the legal system.
Prejean stated, “They took the law into their own hands whenever they felt the need to.” He elaborated that the marker serves as an educational opportunity for residents to learn about both Senegal and Domingue, whose lynchings are part of the broader legacy of racial terror that impacted the Southern United States from 1865 to 1950. During this time, over 6,500 Black individuals were lynched, with Louisiana accounting for at least 615 victims, including six in Lafayette Parish.
The unveiling of this historical marker is pivotal as it is the first recognition of lynching victims within Lafayette Parish. “There is a chance for truth-telling, acknowledgment, and reconciliation around these tales,” Prejean remarked, highlighting that the stories of Senegal and Domingue are often omitted from historical narratives. He cautioned, “If society keeps things in the dark, we do not have a chance to learn from our history.”
The tribute holds special significance for descendants of Senegal, such as Maya Senegal, who has dedicated years to tracing her family history. On this meaningful day, she expressed her emotions: “This is a blessing. To come here and be a part of history, I can cry.” Maya, a Carencro native, aims to instill the story of her great-great-grandfather into her family’s legacy. “For me, I want to pass along to my children,” she stated, expressing hope that they will carry forward the lineage and history of their family.
The unveiling of the memorial in Carencro serves as a significant acknowledgment of the lynching victims, Louis Senegal and Antoine Domingue. It stands as a reminder of the dark history of racial violence in the United States, aims to educate the community, and promotes the necessity of reconciliation and truth-telling. As descendants like Maya Senegal continue to honor their legacy, the marker offers a pivotal opportunity for generational remembrance and awareness.
Original Source: www.theadvertiser.com
