"They Say": Ida B. Wells and the Reconstruction of Race (New Narratives in American History)

Dive into the tumultuous yet transformative period of post-emancipation America in "They Say": Ida B. Wells and the Reconstruction of Race. This compelling book, published on July 21, 2008, offers an intimate look at the first thirty years of Ida B. Wells, a formidable figure in the fight for racial justice. Author James West Davidson masterfully narrates the sweeping changes in the South experienced by Wells during her upbringing in Holly Springs, Mississippi—from the spread of education among free blacks to the rise of political activism. Moving to Memphis as a young adult, Wells faced severe racial barriers but used these challenges as fuel for her pioneering work in journalism and activism. Her audacious refusal to accept societal norms is vividly captured through incidents like her lawsuit against a railroad for forcibly removing her from a segregated car, which she won, and her vehement anti-lynching campaigns following the horrific lynching in Memphis in 1892. Enhanced by period photographs and excerpts from Wells's own diary, this book not only enriches readers' understanding of this crucial era but also resonates with ongoing racial justice issues today. Ideal for middle-school students, "They Say" encourages a deeper reflection on how historical figures like Wells have shaped the discourse on race in America.