Although Arkansas is often portrayed as a moderate, even progressive state in terms of its race relations, indicative statistics can sometimes tell a different story. For example, in Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute compilation of lynching statistics between 1882 and 1968, Arkansas is seventh place in the United States in the table of African Americans who were extra-legally murdered. 226 African Americans lost their lives at the hands of white mobs. These are only the recorded instances. The real figure is undoubtedly higher. However, analyze the statistics by per capita of population and Arkansas rises into second place just behind Mississippi. In other words, aside from Mississippi, African Americans were more likely to be murdered by white mob violence in Arkansas between the years of 1882 and 1968 than in any other state in the nation. I’m John Kirk of the UALR History Department and this has been an Arkansas moment.
http://www.statemaster.com/graph/cri_lyn_bla_percap-crime-lynchings-black-per-capita