Why is the Negro Lynched? by Frederick Douglass

"Why is the Negro Lynched?" by Frederick Douglass is a powerful historical account written in the late 19th century. This work serves as a passionate appeal for justice and an indictment of the systemic racism that led to widespread lynching of Black individuals in America. Douglass, a prominent African American social reformer and abolitionist, utilizes his eloquence and authority to challenge prevailing attitudes and dispel false narratives about the character of Black men. In this essay, Douglass addresses the social and political climate surrounding lynching in the United States, arguing against the rationale often given for these barbaric acts. He posits that the accusations made against Black individuals, particularly those alleging assaults on white women, are rooted in racial prejudice and sensationalism rather than fact. Douglass systematically dismantles the claims used to justify lynching, asserts the humanity of Black individuals, and highlights the moral responsibility of society to confront and rectify its injustices. Ultimately, he calls for the recognition of the dignity and rights of African Americans, asserting that true justice can only be achieved through the elimination of racist ideologies and practices. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895
LoC No. 12011531
Title Why is the Negro Lynched?
Credits Produced by hekula03, David E. Brown, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)
Reading Level Reading ease score: 66.1 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class E151: History: America: United States
Subject Lynching
Subject African Americans -- Crimes against
Category Text
eBook-No. 59116
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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