"Pictures have always been a sure way of conveying idea..."

Lippmann puts this idea into perspective. In my opinion, he is saying that a picture can mean so much or so little to each individual. In this case, the picture of the noose carries a heavy weight on a lot of people. As a picture, I believe that this symbolizes a time of the past of criticism and racism. I feel, for some people, seeing a picture of a noose will take them back to these times and open old wounds.

As for the Jena six case, it was not a picture, but a real noose. I feel this "symbol" signifies that people are still so ingnorant to what has changed and are bringing up situations we have dealt with in the past already. There is no need to bring it about once again and remind those who have suffered from it. We need to move on and not dwell on what was, but what is to be.