zpostcode
Lynching and the Excuse for It
Jul 3, 2026 10:22 AM

  

Lynching and the Excuse for It1

  Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Jane Addams In January 1901 anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells-Barnett (left) and Hull House founder Jane Addams began a public discourse in the pages of The Independent magazine about the scourge of lynching in the United States. (more) Lynching and the Excuse for It article by Ida B. Wells-Barnett, primary source Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lynching-and-the-Excuse-for-it Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lynching-and-the-Excuse-for-it Written by Mindy Johnston Mindy Spitzer Johnston is Managing Editor at Encyclopædia Britannica. Mindy Johnston Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 27, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question From 1882 to 1968 more than 4,700 Americans were lynched, the overwhelming majority of whom were African Americans. While disproportionally occurring in Southern states, lynching was a national problem. In 1901 Chicagoans Jane Addams and Ida B. Wells-Barnett—both social leaders, activists, and colleagues in the city’s women’s clubs and suffrage movements—began a public discourse in the pages of The Independent magazine about this scourge of mob violence. Addams—white, from an affluent family, founder of Hull House, and a leader in the settlement house movement—wrote her article first. In January she published “Respect for Law,” in which she expanded on an ...(100 of 1786 words)

  Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!

Comments
Welcome to zpostcode comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Recommend >
October 7 attack
     Aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack Survivors of a Hamas rocket strike on Tel Aviv talking with rescuers on October 7, 2023. (more) October 7 attack Israel [2023] Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/October-7-attack Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve...
Me and Bobby McGee
     Janis Joplin American rock singer Janis Joplin recorded “Me and Bobby McGee” shortly before her death at age 27 in October 1970. The song was released in 1971 and became a number-one hit. (more) Me and Bobby McGee song by Kristofferson Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Me-and-Bobby-McGee Feedback...
The kiddie tax: How the IRS taxes your child’s investment income
     Carrying a (modest) tax burden.© koosen/stock.adobe.com, © briagin/stock.adobe.com; Photo illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, IncBefore the Tax Reform Act of 1986, parents who had some good tax-planning advice were able to put investments in a child’s name so that any investment income would be taxed at the child’s tax rate, which is typically lower than the parents’ marginal tax rate.   That...
orchid
     Cymbidium Yellow flowers of a cymbidium orchid (Cymbidium species). (more) orchid plant Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: Table Of Contents Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual...
Information Recommendation
Nancy Mace
     U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace The South Carolina Republican describes herself as fiscally conservative and “socially sensible.” (more) Nancy Mace American politician Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nancy-Mace Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a...
African goliath beetle
     A true heavyweight A male African goliath beetle (Goliathus goliatus). The beetles are among the largest and heaviest insects on Earth. (more) African goliath beetle insect Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/African-goliath-beetle Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires...
forearm
     Muscles of the human forearm The forearm contains flexor and extensor muscles, which help control fine movements of the wrist, hand, and fingers. (more) forearm anatomy Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/forearm Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires...
calla
     arum lily, or water arum Arum lily, or water arum (Calla palustris). (more) calla plant Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style...
Fidelity Investments
     Fidelity Investments exterior and trademark logo signage, Woodbury, Minnesota, January 2020. © Ken Wolter/Dreamstime.comFidelity Investments is one of the largest asset managers in the United States. Headquartered in Boston, it is notable for being privately held in an industry dominated by publicly traded companies. As of 2025, Fidelity oversees $15 trillion in assets under administration (AUA) and manages $5.9 trillion...
Mikie Sherrill
     U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill A former military pilot, Mikie Sherrill is a Democrat running to be governor of New Jersey in 2025. (more) Mikie Sherrill American politician Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mikie-Sherrill Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article...
Dawn Staley
     Champion coach Head coach Dawn Staley of the University of South Carolina celebrating her team's victory over the University of Iowa in the NCAA women's basketball tournament championship game in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 7, 2024. (more) Dawn Staley American basketball coach and former player Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook...
Short interest and short squeezes: What traders watch and why
     When market pressure builds, it can spring up fast.© Werner Fellner/stock.adobe.com, © Leo Lintang/stock.adobe.com; Photo illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, IncShort selling is a strategy in which traders aim to profit from a stock’s decline by selling shares they don’t own. But when a heavily shorted stock starts to rise, it doesn’t just move—it can explode.   That sudden surge, often fueled...