Monday, July 16, 2012

Ida B


“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” 
 Ida B. Wells-Barnett

So, here's just a brief note to commemorate the valiant, stubborn life of Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, which began in Mississippi, 150 years ago today. Do you know about her? She grew up in a devilish time, parents died of illness, left her with younger siblings to care for. Which she did, as well as getting herself sufficient education to become a teenaged teacher.

   "I came back home every Friday afternoon, riding the six miles on the back of a big mule. I spent Saturday & Sunday washing & ironing & cooking for the children & went back to my country school on Sunday afternoon."

       She went on to become a powerful journalist and lecturer, who agitated against the thousands of lynchings that went on throughout America well into the 20th century.  Gives me the wimwams & heebie-jeebies just thinking about it. How is it that we humans can be so wonderful and so horrible?

"Brave men do not gather by thousands to torture & murder a single individual, so gagged & bound he cannot make even feeble resistance or defense."

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