Question

document a: ida b. wells
our country’s national crime is lynching. it is not the creature of an hour, the sudden outburst of uncontrolled fury, or the unspeakable brutality of an insane mob.” – ida b. wells, southern horrors (1892)

1. what problem is wells identifying?
2. why does she say it is not a “sudden outburst”? what does that tell you about lynching?
3. how does this document connect to her work as a journalist?

Explanation:

1. Wells is identifying lynching as the national crime of the country. She emphasizes it is not a spontaneous act.
2. She says it's not a "sudden outburst" likely because lynching was a systemic and pre - meditated form of racial violence, not just a random act of mob fury. This shows that lynching was a deeply ingrained and planned form of racial oppression.
3. As a journalist, Wells was committed to exposing the truth about lynching. This document reflects her investigative and advocacy work, using her writing to bring attention to the injustice of lynching.

Answer:

1. Lynching as the national crime.
2. Because it was systemic and pre - meditated; it shows lynching was a deeply ingrained form of racial oppression.
3. It reflects her work to expose the injustice of lynching as a journalist.