Who Is Ida B. Wells?

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” This quote by Ida B Wells-Garnett solidifies what the purpose of journalism is. The purpose of journalism is to enlighten people of current events. It is meant to enlighten people of all the truths of their society. It is meant to help people find a place for themselves in the world. Throughout Ms. Wells’ life, she showcased the bravery and strength needed to shed light on the wrongs of the world she lives in. She fought for the rights and the voices of those made voiceless by society and state. A woman of class and fortitude, Ms. Wells shone light on the issues revolving around injustices towards African-Americans and women in the late 19th and early 20th century when being
Her father carried the trait of being an active civilian(a trait which was carried on by Ida) being a member of several political organizations. Her father enrolled, Ida, her mother, and all her siblings into Shaw University (now known as Rust College). There, Ida Wells gained a great love for books and writing. Unfortunately by 1876, after her parents and nine month old brother died from yellow fever leaving Ida B. Wells to take on the responsibility of caring for her siblings and accepting from then on the weight of the world as it stood. She was only 14 years old. She went looking for work and had to lie about her age to get a teaching position at a country school. This difficult transition from childhood to adulthood signified the grace and _ Ida B. Wells would have for the rest of her
During the winter 1884, Wells was returning home from a long day of work and took her rightful place in the ladies car of a train. When the conductor arrived at Wells’ seat to check her ticket, he refused to let her stay in her seat, ordering her to go the smoker’s car (where the African-Americans were made to sit). This was after the Civil War, when relationships between African-Americans were tense; yet it was also a time before the establishment of Jim Crow and before separate but equal laws were established. The racial tension and animosity that Blacks faced at this time was escalating feverishly. Wells refused to leave her seat and was forcibly thrown off the train by the conductor and two other men. She recollects in her autobiography the cheering of the white passengers at her being removed from their car. From there, Ms. Wells returned to Memphis and immediately sought out the services of a lawyer to file a lawsuit against the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company. While, she won the initial lawsuit in the lower courts, she lost the in the appeals court. Her mark in history, however, was just beginning. The lawsuit brought much attention to her and several articles covered