March Muse: Ida B. Wells on Lynching... "This Ain't New"
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I admire Ida B. Wells because her writings speak to today's challenges. It really is as if she specifically crafted them for our current lives. Her anti-lynching campaign is relevant because, one, it brings to light the historical roots of racial violence in America. Secondly, it provides a foundation for understanding systemic racism and white supremacy. Her work is also a model for social justice activism, journalism, and education today. Ida B. Wells' work shows that the devaluing of Black lives has been a persistent issue in America. Her writings show that "this ain't new."
In 1895, Ida got married and became Ida B. Wells Barnett, and she published the book: "The Red Record: Tabulated Statistics and Alleged Causes of Lynching in the United States." The book was a compilation of Ida's travels and investigations of the lynching of Black men from 1892 to 1894, and it includes an analysis of lynching statistics from those years. She showed how lynching was used to intimidate and control Black people, many of who did not even commit a crime. This ain't new.
Looking at present-day America and even beyond, like the killings of the people seeking plastic surgery in Mexico the other week, we should see the similarities between Wells' fight against lynching and our current struggles. The cases of Tyre Nichols, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others have ignited a global movement calling for an end to racialized violence at the hands of law enforcement. Just as with lynching, the unequal use of force by police against Black people demonstrates systemic racism, which aims to uphold power structures and promote racial inequality. This ain't new.
Ida B. Wells' fight against lynching and the modern struggle against racialized violence are stark reminders of the importance of telling our stories. In both cases, the documentation and sharing of information about these acts of violence have been instrumental in challenging the powers that be and demanding change. By raising awareness, holding people accountable, and advocating for reform, we can break down the systems that devalue Black lives and work towards a society where all lives are truly valued and respected equally. This ain't new.
Speaking of documentation, Ida can work can serve as a model for activism and journalism in the fight against racial injustice. She was fearless and committed to exposing the truth, despite threats to her own safety. Her story is a testament to the power of information and education and their roles in driving social change. In the current era of social media and instant news, Wells' work can inspire activists and journalists to document and share information about instances of racial violence and discrimination. We must commit to telling the truth; accountability is vital in the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. This ain't new.
Next week, I'll wrap up my series on Ida B. Wells Barnett, but I want to challenge you to learn more about her because you will find that much of her work suggests that our current dilemma in America isn't new.
References:Ida B. Wells -- https://www.nps.gov/people/idabwells.htm Ida B. Wells: Topics in Chronicling America -- https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-americaida-wells/selected-articles The Red Record -- http://go.umd.edu/wells
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