The Red Record

Ida B. Wells meticulously compiles a stark ledger of lynching in the United States, presenting raw statistics alongside the alleged justifications offered by the perpetrators. By laying out the numbers in clear, tabulated form, she lets the cold facts speak louder than any rhetorical flourish, revealing a pattern of violence that stretches far beyond isolated incidents. The opening sections also include a powerful endorsement from Frederick Douglass, whose letter underscores the moral urgency of confronting these atrocities.

The pamphlet traces the historical shift from slavery’s brutal discipline to a post‑emancipation era where intimidation turned deadly, documenting thousands of killings that escaped legal scrutiny. Wells’ careful analysis exposes how the legal system protected the killers, noting that only three white men faced execution for such crimes. Listeners will find a compelling blend of rigorous data and moral testimony, offering a sobering window into a dark chapter of American history and the relentless fight for justice.