By Mari and Derek Davis
Ninety-one years ago on the 25th day of March 1931, the Courageous Investigative Journalist, Educator, Activist Ida B Wells Barnett died. I began to write this article of Ida B Wells, I ponder my version of her investigative journalism as it relates to my writings on Rubin Stacy. As I understand it, Ida’s risk for her life and passion to tell the truth about the unjust crimes that Black Americans were experiencing. As a Historian and member of the Southeastern Association of Colored Women’s Northwest Federated Club of Broward County. I will be spotlighting Ida B Wells and Rubin Stacy as I represent Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the National Association of Colored Women National Umbrella Parade in Little Rock, Arkansas. The NACW celebrates its 126th and 63rd Biennial convention from July 20-24, 2022. Which is also the memorial week for Rubin Stacy’s lynching on July 19, 1935.
Ida B Wells was born in 1862 on July 16, in Holly Springs, Mississippi a few months before the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation during the civil war. Remembering notes on the Rubin Stacy research project, I realized there was a connection between Ida’s birthdate and Rubin Stacy. The birthdate of Ida B Wells is the date Rubin Stacy’s nightmare began seventy-three years later when he was accused of a horrific crime in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 16, 1935.
Ida B Wells’s journey investigating lynchings around the age of 29, after she learned of Thomas Mass lynching along with two other successful businessmen in March of 1892. A previous report has said that Ida B Wells was the godmother of Thomas Mass’ daughter. Mr. Mass’ lynching changed her life as she vagrantly searched for the truth. A mob of white men in Memphis, Tennessee killed the men as a threat to the white store owner. Thomas Mass grocery store was called Peoples Grocery Store. Ida’s newspaper business was destroyed after she continued to write about the violence and suppression of votes. Coincidentally, another date and age of Ida B Wells’ life to relate to Rubin Stacy. He was around 29 years of age when he was lynched in Broward County. Remember, Ida B Wells was around 29-years-old when she began investigating lynchings.
Ida launched an investigation in Mississippi of a Black man who was lynched for allegedly hurting a young white girl The victim was said to be a young white girl who was actually an adult woman that had a relationship with the murdered man. The woman was the sheriff’s daughter. The sheriff created a false story distorting the facts after learning of the love affair. Ida discovered in her investigation that southern newspapers encouraged lynching. At times they would make known to the public when and where lynchings would take place as a form of entertainment. Ida’s investigation also revealed political leaders supporting the lynchings. The fact she uncovered in her investigation share similarities to the Rubin Stacy case.
Ida B Wells wrote to educate the public and bring shame by exposing violence against Black people. She traveled to Europe and abroad lecturing, passing out pamphlets of her writings on lynching and the intent to restrain Blacks from advancing in society, hoping other countries would understand how the violent crimes affected Black people in the American south and across the USA. Her documented stories were from interviews with family members of lynching victims. In 1889 she wrote an article about the school system, later the school system did not renew her contract to teach. Ida Wells would not back down.
Continuing to educate, in 1897 she opened her first school teaching young Black children about justice. This was the first Black kindergarten school in Chicago established by Ida B. Wells Barnett. More schools were opened in later years. Ida B Wells’s schools today continue to promote her mission and vision.
In 1892, Ida B Wells began her tireless crusade against Lynching. She wanted the public to know the truth based on facts. She encouraged church groups and local clubs at that time which were only women’s clubs. Her addresses on racial awareness helped gain support for Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill. The bill was first introduced in the 65th United States Congress by Representative Leonidas C. Dyer, a Republican from St. Louis, Missouri, on January 26, 1922. In 2018, the house of Representatives took no action when the Senate passed The Justice for Victims Lynching Act. Emmitt Till revied version Anti-Lynching Act was passed on February 26, 2022. On March 7, 2022, Emmitt Till Anti-Lynching Act passed in the United States Senate. For the first time in American History, the Anti-Lynching bill passed both houses. Special Thanks to the strong black woman, Ida B. Wells-Barnett. Her Mission, Vision, and Dream have come true.
The word Lynching dated back to the seventeen hundreds derived from a Virginian Charles Lynch. 4,743 people were recorded lynched in the United States.
Some of Ida B Wells Barnett Great achievements
1882- Ida B Wells attended Fisk University in Nashville Tennessee
1884- 1891 Ida B Wells taught segregated public schools in Memphis, Tennessee
1884- Thrown off of train after refusing to move from a first-class seat for the designated black area
1889- Become Partner and Editor with Free Press
1891- Loses Job as a teacher
1892- Began Anti-Lynching Crusade
1893- Boycotted Chicago World Fair
1895- Published Anti-Lynching pamphlet, A Red Book
1896- The Niagara Movement /Co-Founder of The National Association of Colored Women.
1898- Visits President McKinley to speak out against Lynching
1909- The trailblazing journalist and Co-Founder of the NAACP, was removed for being too radical.
1913- Marched in the first Women Suffrage Parade
1928- Wrote her book Crusade For Justice
1931- Dies in Chicago, Illinois.
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