Black History Spotlight: Ida B. Wells

In this second spotlight, I decided to go with the journalist and activist Ida B. Wells. I grew up hearing the name (a CHA housing project was named after her), but it wasn't until I took African-American History in college that I knew anything about her. She is probably one of the most courageous people that have ever lived. She is best known for exposing the racist reality behind lynchings in the South. Her newspaper reported the truth about lynchings and she was threatened many times as a result of it. Wells used international influence to further her causes, as she lectured around the world about injustice in America. The resulting pressure that other countries put on the US in regards to lynchings and other causes helped bring about the demise of lynchings in the South. Several books of her writings are available at bookstores and libraries.