
audiobook
Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases - By Ida B. Wells-Barnett
PREFACE
HON. FRED. DOUGLASS'S LETTER
THE OFFENSE
THE BLACK AND WHITE OF IT
THE NEW CRY
THE MALICIOUS AND UNTRUTHFUL WHITE PRESS
THE SOUTH'S POSITION
SELF-HELP
In the wake of a violent attack on her newspaper, a determined journalist compiled a stark, fact‑based report on the surge of lynchings across the South. Drawing on testimony, newspaper accounts, and court records, she presents a series of recent murders—often justified by accusations of assault on white women—that reveal a pattern of terror rather than justice. A supportive letter from a leading abolitionist underscores the moral urgency of her work, framing the pamphlet as a plea to the nation’s conscience. The opening sections lay out the author’s purpose: to document the brutality and demand legal accountability.
The pamphlet proceeds to list incidents from Mississippi to Georgia, contrasting the official explanations with the reality of mob violence and extrajudicial killings. It also critiques the white press for perpetuating false narratives that inflame fear and sustain the lynch law. By exposing the economic and political motives behind the mob, the author calls on readers to confront this injustice and push for federal intervention. The tone remains measured and evidence‑driven, inviting listeners to bear witness to a painful chapter of American history.
Language
en
Duration
~57 minutes (55K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Melissa Er-Raqabi and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
Release date
2005-02-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1931
Born into slavery and determined to tell the truth, this fearless journalist became one of the strongest voices against lynching and for Black civil rights. Her work was bold, deeply researched, and impossible to ignore.
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