Memphis Free Speech Summary

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Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862—1931)
THE AWFUL SLAUGHTER
May 8, 1909
Born to slaves, Ida B. Wells—Barnett was educated at Rust University in Mississippi and at Fisk University at Tennessee, before going to a much lauded career in journalist. Over the course of her career, Wells—Barnett wrote for the Memphis Free Speech (of which she was part owner), the Chicago Conservative and the New York Age, making a name for herself through her one-woman journalistic crusade against lyching. The following speech was delivered at the NAACP’s first annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
THE LYNCHING record for a quarter of a century merits the thoughtful study of the American people. It presents three salient facts: First, lynching is a color—line murder. Second, crimes against women is the excuse, not the cause. Third, it is a national crime and requires a national remedy. Proof that lynching follows the …show more content…

What is the cause of this awful slaughter? This question is answered almost daily—always the same shameless falsehood that “Negroes are lynched to protect womanhood.” …
The cowardly lyncher revels in murder, then seeks to shield himself from public execration by claiming devotion to a woman.

MOVIE: “The Birth of a Nation” (originally called THE CLANSMAN) is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and based on the novel and play THE CLANSMAN, both by Thomas Dixon, Jr. Griffith co-wrote the screenplay (with Frank E. Woods), and co-produced the film (with Harry Aitken). It was released on February 8, 1915. The film was originally presented in two parts, separated by an intermission. It was the first 12-reel film in America.

The film chronicles the relationship of two families in Civil War and Reconstruction-US era: the pro-Union Northern Stonemans and the pro-Confederacy Southern Camerons over the course of several years. The assignation of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth is