A review by rtwilliams16
The Red Record by Ida B. Wells

4.0

A longer treatment on the subject of lynchings by Ida B. Wells-Barnett. It should be read after [b:Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases|6970597|Southern Horrors Lynch Law in All Its Phases|Ida B. Wells-Barnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348445167l/6970597._SY75_.jpg|7210033]. Wells-Barnett uses cotemporary news sources and data to show why Black people were lynched in America. Two of the chapters in the book presents data on the people who were lynched, date, location, and for what "alleged crime" that was committed. The descriptions of the lynchings were very vivid and brutal. Wells-Barrett finds that 69% Blacks were lynched for "crimes" other than rape between the years 1882-1894. One of the powerful sections of this book was the testimony of a white man named Rev. King who witnessed a lynching and was disgusted by it, especially when he saw children were brought to attend. When he demanded that the mob send the children home the mob responded "let them learn a lesson". A sad and terrible example of how racism is passed down to the next generation.