To Keep the Waters Troubled : The Life of Ida B. Wells

In the generation that followed Frederick Douglass, no African American was more prominent, or more outspoken, than Ida B. Wells. Her crusade against lynching in the 1890s made her famous, or notorious, across America, and she was seriously considered as a rival to W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington for race leadership. This book is the first full biography of Wells, a passionate crusader for black people and women-and one who was sometimes torn by her conflicting loyalties to race and gender. Wells' career began amidst controversy when she sued a Tennessee railroad company for ousting her from a first class car, a legal battle which launched her lifelong committment to journalism and activism. In the 1890s, Wells focused her eloquence on the horrors of lynching, exposing it as a widespread form of racial terrorism. Backing strong words with strong actions, she lectured in the States and abroad, arranged legal representation for black prisoners, hired investigators, founded antilynching leagues, sought recourse from Congress, and more. Wells was an equally forceful advocate for women's rights, but parted ways with feminist allies who would subordinate racial justice to their cause. She perpetually walked a tightrope between being an agitator and behaving like a lady-a designation prized by black women too often denigrated and exploited by white men. Using diary entries, letters, and published writings, McMurry illuminates Wells's fiery personality, and the uncompromising approach that sometimes lost her friendships even as it won great victories. To Keep the Waters Troubled is an unforgettable account of a remarkable woman and the and the times she helped to change. Frontmatter Preface (page ix) Introduction (page xiii) 1 Childhood and Early Adulthood "A happy, light-hearted schoolgirl" (page 3) 2 Memphis and Railroad Suits "I had hoped such great things" (page 18) 3 Social Activities of the Black Elite "It was a breath of life to me" (page 32) 4 Coping with Gender Roles and Spirituality "An anomaly to myself as well as to others" (page 50) 5 Moving from Teaching to Journalism "An outlet through which to express the real 'me'" (page 76) 6 Editorship of the Free Speech "A woman editor and correspondent was a novelty" (page 102) 7 The Memphis Lynchings "Neither character nor standing avails the Negro" (page 130) 8 Indictment of Lynching "The cold-blooded savagery of white devils" (page 150) 9 Antilynching Lectures "The disturbing element which kept the waters troubled" (page 169) 10 Taking the Message to the World "An open door in a stone wall" (page 188) 11 The Continued Crusade "Not myself nor my reputation, but the life of my people" (page 206) 12 Balancing Womanhood and Activism "I was not to be emancipated from my duties" (page 225) 13 Organizational Efforts and Problems "Lest I might become a contender for the position" (page 244) 14 Community and Interracial Activities "To break down the barrier of race prejudice" (page 265) 15 New Crusades for Justice "Do the work that the others refuse" (page 283) 16 Prejudice, Protest, and Politics "When principle and prejudice come into collision (page 301) 17 Defending Freedom until Death "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" (page 321) Notes (page 341) Writings about Ida B. Wells-Barnett (page 389) Index (page 392) In the generation that followed Frederick Douglass, no African American was more prominent, or more outspoken, than Ida B. Wells. Seriously considered as a rival to W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington for race leadership, Wells' career began amidst controversy when she sued a Tennessee railroad company for ousting her from a first class car, a legal battle which launched her lifelong commitment to journalism and activism. In the 1890s, Wells focused her eloquence on the horrors of lynching, exposing it as a widespread form of racial terrorism. Backing strong words with strong actions, she lectured in the States and abroad, arranged legal representation for black prisoners, hired investigators, founded anti-lynching leagues, sought recourse from Congress, and more. Wells was an equally forceful advocate for women's rights, but parted ways with feminist allies who would subordinate racial justice to their cause. Using diary entries, letters, and published writings, McMurry illuminates Wells's fiery personality, and the uncompromising approach that sometimes lost her friendships even as it won great victories. To Keep the Waters Troubled is an unforgettable account of a remarkable woman and the and the times she helped to change. "In the generation that followed Frederick Douglass, no African American was more prominent, or more outspoken, than Ida B. Wells. Her crusade against lynching in the 1890s made her famous, or notorious, across America, and she was seriously considered as a rival to W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington for race leadership. This book is the first full biography of Wells, a passionate crusader for black people and women - and one who was sometimes torn by her conflicting loyalties to race and gender."--BOOK JACKET. This is the first full biography of Ida B. Wells, one of the most important women in African American history — a passionate crusader for black civil rights and women's rights who gained fame in both America and Britain with her crusade against lynching in the 1890s. Ida B. Wells was a prominent African American famous for her crusade against lynching in the 1890s. This biography of Wells tells the story of her battle for justice for African American men and women from its beginnings in Tennessee Describes the life of the Black woman journalist who conducted a lifelong crusade for racial justice and women's rights in the period after Reconstruction Linda O. Mcmurry. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 389-391) And Index.