Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Ida B. Wells Barnett House


This is the house that Ida B. Wells resided in. Located at 3624 S. Martin Luther King, this house is expressive and impressive. It is a 19th Century Romanesque Revival Stone residence. Ms. Wells fought to end lynchings through her writings and economic depression for African Americans in the community.

She is also the precursor to Rosa Parks because at 22 as a teacher in Mississippi, she refused to sit in a segregated train car and ignored the conductor. She was forcibly removed but later she filed a lawsuit against the railroad company and won. However, in 1887 the railroad company appealed and won causing Ms. Barnett to have to pay back $500.00 plus $200.00 for costs to the company.

She also spoke up against the racism of segregated schools in Mississippi by writing about it in black newspapers. Her boss fired her because of this. She then went into writing for newspapers full time.

Her house stands as a testament to her strength and determination.

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