001 - Introduction

Born into slavery in Mississippi in 1862, Ida B. Wells-Barnett emerged as an influential advocate for justice and equality. As a pioneering African-American journalist, newspaper editor, suffragist, sociologist, feminist, and a founding member of the NAACP in 1909, she chronicled significant events in American history. In this gripping narrative, Wells-Barnett pulls from two New Orleans newspapers to recount a harrowing week in the early 20th century, where a violent mob unleashed terror on people of color, perpetrating brutal beatings and killings. Thankfully, a greater tragedy was averted due to the relentless efforts of local newspapers and courageous citizens who stood firm for law and order. This chilling account serves as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of mob violence driven by hatred and anger. - Summary by Holly Jenson