By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor
Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862-1931) is the investigative journalist, educator and advocate recognized for her outspoken activism. Wells-Barnett used her pen and voice to doc and handle the extreme injustices skilled by Black Individuals. She additionally labored to publicize the problems confronted by ladies throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As an early American civil rights pioneer and suffragist, Wells-Barnett, a founding father of the NAACP, promoted options to the systemic inequities confronted by Black individuals and girls throughout her lifetime.
Her work and legacy are being revived this 12 months beginning with the Jan. 7 circulation of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett American Girls Quarters coin issued by the U.S. Mint. The ebook, “Ida B The Queen: The Extraordinary Lifetime of Ida B. Wells,” has simply been launched by Michelle Duster, Wells-Barnett’s great-granddaughter.
Her great-grandson, Dan Duster, spoke with the AFRO concerning the fearlessness that characterised Wells-Barnett throughout her lifetime and the braveness wanted by this technology of Black journalists and advocates for struggles nonetheless confronted at this time.
Wells-Barnett had sturdy convictions. In response to Duster, when it got here to points dealing with Black Individuals, his great-grandmother had agreements and disagreements with each her Black and White contemporaries
“A few of her contemporaries received alongside and a few had totally different opinions,” Duster stated, including that it’s usually mistakenly thought that, traditionally, most Black individuals shared the identical views about points dealing with Black Individuals.
“Frederick Douglass was certainly one of her buddies and mentors,” stated Duster, earlier than noting the totally different opinions held by Douglass and Wells-Barnett on approaches to racial progress. “I perceive that Frederick Douglass’ philosophy was, ‘[If] you owe me a loaf of bread and provides me a half a loaf, that’s progress.’ However Ida would say, ‘Should you owe me a half a loaf, the place’s my different half loaf?’”
Duster stated that Wells-Barnett can be astonished on the points dealing with Black Individuals at this time, significantly these which have been exacerbated throughout the previous two months by the Trump Administration, such because the elimination of DEI packages and the cancellation of Black Historical past packages or the point out of Black historical past by federal companies.
“I believe she would actually be shaking her head in disbelief at a number of the causes we’re nonetheless combating for,” stated Duster. “She would say, ‘It’s been 150 years and we’re nonetheless speaking about this?’”
Turning to the long run, Duster stated there are some distinctions between Wells-Barnett period and the battles Black journalists and advocates face on this period.
“The Ida B. Wells Basis will proceed to protect, promote and shield the legacy of Ida B. Wells. A part of her legacy is equality for all,” stated Duster. “We nonetheless really feel that entry to and assist of training continues to be paramount in our society.”
“A part of the problem proper now could be– with Black individuals being awarded some rights– we’ve got one thing to lose. Previous to the 1960’s we had little or no to lose,” Duster stated. “Now, it turns into more difficult.”
On this technology, Duster stated Black Individuals and all individuals of excellent can have the accountability to behave.
“If one thing is being dangerous and it’s improper, it’s your accountability to do one thing,” Duster stated. “It’s not the individuals who do evil– it’s those that watch it and do nothing to cease it. Righting the wrongs of society is one thing that Ida B. Wells did in her lifetime and inspired others to do.”
