Popular kids’ show host and digital teacher, Ms. Rachel, aka Rachel Griffin Accurso from New York, is going wildly viral for using her enormous platform to amplify fears spreading through parts of the Black community after a series of deaths involving black people found hanging from trees. Apparently, the deaths were ruled as suicides, but the Black community fears they are covert lynchings by racist groups.
In a brief video shared on August 18, the children’s educator delivered a blunt message: “Please listen to the Black community. Black people don’t hang themselves from trees.” She added that at least seven black people had been found hanging from trees in just 2026 so far, intensifying calls online for authorities to examine whether the cases could be connected.
However, there is an important caveat to the claim. It appears that most mainstream news organizations and government agencies have made little effort to publicly compile and confirm seven such cases as a national total for 2026. The deaths have instead been reported separately, with circumstances and state locations varying from case to case.
One case that has drawn particular attention involved 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, who was found hanging from a tree behind a vacant home in Jackson, Mississippi, earlier this month. Authorities said an autopsy would be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death, and investigators had not publicly concluded that foul play was involved. The broader discussion has also included the death of Nolan Wells, whose case Ms. Rachel has previously spoken about while calling for greater scrutiny.
Social Media Reactions
Ms. Rachel’s comments have sparked both praise and skepticism. Supporters applauded her willingness to address an issue that many believe deserves more attention. “Ms. Rachel is AMAZING,” one supporter wrote in her TikTok comment section, praising her for using her platform “for good & spreading awareness.”
On Reddit, another commenter called her “this younger generation’s Mr. Rogers,” while someone else wrote that she was willing to become “a lightning rod” rather than remain silent. Others urged caution, pointing to cases in which authorities have determined that hanging deaths were suicides. One Reddit user argued that “Black people can and do hang themselves from trees,” warning that speculation can add to grieving families’ trauma.
Another commenter specifically pointed to a recent Raleigh case, saying security footage and statements from the victim’s family supported the suicide determination. That disagreement has drawn out the tension surrounding Ms. Rachel’s statement. While the historical trauma of lynching has made the imagery especially disturbing for many Black Americans, for many, suspicion alone does not establish that any particular death was a lynching.
Still, Ms. Rachel has shown she is willing to enter difficult conversations. She previously said, “Any opportunities I lose because of my advocacy are not ones I want.” Her latest message has once again placed that commitment in the spotlight, with supporters urging her to continue speaking out despite the backlash.
