How one journalist risked her life to hold murderers accountable - Christina Greer

Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist, civil rights leader, and anti-lynching advocate who fought for equality and justice.
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In the late 1800’s, lynchings were happening all over the American South, often without any investigation or consequences for the murderers. A young journalist set out to expose the truth about these killings. Her reports shocked the nation, launched her journalism career and a lifelong pursuit of civil rights. Christina Greer details the life of Ida B. Wells and her tireless struggle for justice.
Lesson by Christina Greer, directed by Anna Nowakowska.
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Lâm Nguyễn, Uirá Maíra Resende, Sebastiaan Vleugels, Adam Foreman, Jeremy Shimanek, Bethany Connor, Vivian & Gilbert Lee, Maryam Sultan, Peng, Tzu-Hsiang, Gabriel Balsa, Shafeeq Ansari, Norbert Orgován, Dowey Baothman, Amer Harb, Courtney Thompson, Guhten, Jordan Tang, Juan , Sid , Tracey Tobkin, emily lam, Kathryn J Hammond, Elliot Poulin, Noel Situ, Oyuntsengel Tseyen-Oidov, Latora Slydell, Sydney Evans, Victor E Karhel, Bernardo Paulo, Eysteinn Guðnason, Andrea Feliz, Natalia Rico, Josh Engel, Bárbara Nazaré, Gustavo Mendoza, Zhexi Shan, Hugo Legorreta, PnDAA, Sandra Tersluisen, Ellen Spertus, Fabian Amels, sammie goh, Mattia Veltri, Quentin Le Menez, Yuh Saito, Heather Slater, Dr Luca Carpinelli, Janie Jackson, Christophe Dessalles and Arturo De Leon.

[@pr.yanshi]

These hidden stories of such underrated people just blows my mind. .. Thank you Ted ed for sharing these with us.. .

[@steveishere8808]

NewOnKZbin Yeah it’s great

[@carolynyoung7543]

She is still one of my Sheroes!

[@IndieBassJA26]

Yeah.. I listened to a podcast episode on Harriet Tubman and she was an actual badass. It was inspiring to hear her story

[@LindaMitchell]

Ms. Ida B. Wells deserves more recognition for her impact on history. I would love for her story to be made into a movie by a great writer and director.

[@MsZephyra]

@Carl John Change happens slowly and you will never know the full impact of inspiration. She was an international inspiration. No doubt she inspired civil rights and women's rights leaders who came after her.

[@harlowitter3060]

I've never even heard of her until now and I agree! She's as badass as Harriet Tubman!👍

[@carolynyoung7543]

@Carl John She was successful for her time. Prior to her there were lynching and no one was taking count. She was not, just like Dr. King was not suppose to carry the cause and find the cure. Her roll was to shine a light and for that she was brave, courageous and successful. Now, take it from there.

[@tallymark2417]

It had better not get whitewashed.

[@hacky_sackin]

Me too! Like the movie Harriet, after Harriet Tubman!

[@TommoCarroll]

Her job application should have been: *Ida B Wells - Badass* -- And to quote the great Captain America Civil War: _"Compromise where you can. And where you can't, don't."_

[@munendersingh5631]

Yep

[@h.m.6024]

the B stands for Badass

[@harlowitter3060]

As Badass as Harriet Tubman!👍

[@nabii5951]

When you look it up in the dictionary, Ida B. Wells should be the definition.

[@epicboxx3838]

I’m not sure if badass was a word back then. Maybe it was I’m not sure.

[@holasnic3937]

Shame I never heard about her until now...

[@greatima526]

Oof, we learned about her briefly in school.

[@gajuornellamukeshimana2827]

Same

[@jin_cotl]

I HATE RACISM

[@kaleahcollins4567]

Shes known in nyc.

[@defisama]

I only had to read a passage, That was all I heard about her.

[@glorysky1998]

I watch this right after my ela teacher tells me, that I need to write about someone that was in the civil Rights movement who isn't famous. I now know whos the coolest to write about.

[@pal4ever112]

Speech to text... And done!

[@glorysky1998]

@@pal4ever112 I'm not recommending plagerism, just that the video introduces a really cool person who fought for civil rights and was over looked.

[@MishMill]

My ELA teacher wants us to do the same thing! I’m doing Ella Baker, the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement.

[@hacky_sackin]

Right? 😄

[@keishaloves1762]

@@MishMill I’m glad you know about Ella Baker. Most people I know have no idea about her.

[@sitala9916]

salute to her bravery. she certainly was ahead of her time!!

[@juliawburn2352]

how was she already of here time? this is exactly what the world needed at that time

[@alyssachen9355]

@@juliawburn2352 well, her ideas were more progressive than the world view at the time so that’s what they mean by ahead of her time

[@har16923]

Hail the hero's of the past. So injustice doesn't get repeated

[@harlowitter3060]

The Script's Hall of Fame intensifies

[@ngxiangqing6138]

I love your comment and 1k likes is given

[@Alex-cw3rz]

It's amazing how people just can't handle acknowledging racism. Like this women did a great thing why can't we talk about it, it's not an attack on you, it's a look at history.

[@Yonatan24]

Who doesn't?

[@stormsurge1]

Who says we can't talk about it?

[@brendarua01]

Well put!

[@lookattheflowers969]

Foreal like relax, if this doesn't imply to you just leave it. Admire her and her braveness and be done with it. Not that hard.

[@poetz123]

Racism was invented by the communists to destroy our society

[@topgurl9313]

She amplified her voice every time they tried to keep her quiet. A fighter 🔥💼📔🖌📸

[@InfiniteWater_]

She deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, to be honest.

[@ktttttt]

Unfortunately the Nobel Peace Prize, and even other nobel prizes are often political as well

[@Ali-yr3eq]

And yet her being ahead of her time paid off. It is very important to stand firmly on the beliefs you care so much for and to not budge in the face of fiercest wrath from those who have no regard for humanity.

[@starcherry6814]

If your beliefs are equality

[@OriaXu]

And now the rabid left is going back to racism and segregation!

[@whathell6t]

Oria Xu Dude! Political platform is not the attribute in here since Ms. Ida B. Wells investigates and reports on anyone, be they Democrat or Republican, who tries to disenfranchise a weak and defenseless citizen.

[@mercy5628]

@Paulo Mendes Belief is the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case regardless of empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with factual certainty. In other words its mean what you stand for, and what you think is right, in this case people were sceptical about her belives and ideas, with her bravery she stood her BELIVES.

[@khadijahmuhammad4771]

@Paulo Mendes What she thought to be fair. As in, what she believed to be fair. As in, the belief that she held regarding what was fair and equal.

[@Aisha-ix6qz]

What an inspiration to all!

[@anushirawan7978]

The world we live in today needs more people like Ida.

[@queenp7906]

no you need to be like her

[@Phantom-Agent-X]

@@queenp7906 triggered snowflake detected

[@BobMcCoy]

*_Ida B. Wells has joined the chat_* *_Murderers have left the chat_*

[@farzanaafrinn]

_Bob McCoy *Lisa Gurerro would’ve confronted the murderers*

[@gayflower900]

*Ida B. Wells has been kicked from the chat for the following reasons: “we dont like your skin lol”* *The chat has been ended by Ida B. Wells*

[@cactuslactus6007]

*no u*

[@amandalouw2295]

Love that

[@wheresmayaa]

citrus lisa Guerro probably would have died

[@harlowitter3060]

It kinda makes me sad that the people and organizations she was working *with* sort of excluded her as well. She didn't want to hide *anything* just to make herself and her movement seem agreeable, she wanted to explicitly show the reality that a lot of the US attempted to just sweep under the carpet, and that's what I love about her.

[@odaluvr73]

I can learn more from this in 5 minutes than i will in school

[@missyyolo2362]

Same here

[@chandavillajos]

Ahem 4 mins

[@Korbol_]

Are you Polish?

[@marceeludlow8335]

@@chandavillajos ahem four minutes 49 seconds

[@Angela-ot7es]

Lord, grant me the strength, courage, bravery, tenacity, intellectualism, sticktoitiveness, and dogged perseverance that Ms. Wells has.

[@xi5633]

i love the art style♡

[@katiewright7994]

Fr❤❤❤

[@futurehofer1564]

What this lady did was incredible, she helped change the world for the better and she stood up in a time where that was broadly unnaceptable. I aspire to have this type of bravery and hopefully I can help people like she did. Thanks for the inspiration and your work Mrs. Wells!

[@asiah1396]

She really was decades ahead from everyone

[@lindahuang8361]

I don't know why am tearing up...her story is so moving, her commitment to justice, fighting when being constantly pushed out by others...

[@paulasuniverse5029]

She is a "shero" of mine. I often mention her profound effect on society as a journalist and activist. She saved many lives. Her bravery and determination was incredible. How shameful that it took over 100 years for the U.S. Congress to pass the Emmet Till Anti-Lynching Act. I think that Ida B. Wells' name should have been a part of that legislation as she fought oversees and abroad to stop lynching from the late 1800s. We finally have a Ida B. Wells Barbie doll (Yay!) Hopefully that encourages more youth to study her.

[@TheBiggestMoronYouKnow]

People were weak, and she was so strong. Rest In Peace, you earned it ❤️

[@jalenikezeue4114]

Some one got Make a moive about Wells

[@areyoubewhy4457]

I can't be the only one fighting back tears while watching this

[@shubhroy7960]

Definitely not the only one.

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

One of the most underrated American historical figures. Thank you for this video, and love the animation!

[@carrshakeena]

To live in Memphis to hear about her in school and learn more things about her just make me happy

[@lostthoughts219]

I am intrigued. Is there any documentary/ biography on her life?

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

I looked up her name, but all I could find are her own writings. I'm sure they exist, though!

[@duckobsessedhuman8721]

There’s a really short one on a website called Rejected Princesses, which tells the stories of women who dared to defy expectations.

[@caskettsolo7925]

Thank you #Super and Duck Obsessed Human

[@lks2903]

I read a biography of her back in college, can't recall the name but it does exist! Amazon has a ton of them: www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ida+b+wells+biography&sprefix=ida+b.+wells+bio%2Caps%2C187&crid=1MAQTTG4QZQ3K

[@hiridavidfeign]

She was a true pioneer and hero. Thank you for this video. It's really well written and the animated illustration is excellent.

[@castsmith6783]

"how to always win an argument?" "genius" people: call them an extremist or a radical

[@j0499]

There's two sides to this penny, people also think calling people a fascist communist or traitor is enough to win an arguement .

[@iagreebut5157]

So is Jihad the way to go then? People call jihadists radicals.

[@iagreebut5157]

@@jorgeluismanzanarespena4066 Communists are also considered "progessives" and i'd still call them radicals

[@aditimukherjee3856]

Very empowering story

[@larmeblood]

This is the person I’m doing for my school project! I needed this, thank you!

[@breign09ify]

I remember doing a paper on Ida B. Wells in middle school no one including me had ever heard of her or her story before then.

[@samuelebincoletto637]

She pratically preceeded MLK.

[@ripvanwinkle654]

And Rosa parks.

[@masteringlife7526]

Yes she did

[@nomad9598]

No s*** sherlock

[@BobbiRaye1]

@@nomad9598 & this person has 186 likes now. Do these people really think the fight for change really started with MLK and Rosa? How successful for the American education system.

[@carolynyoung7543]

She did proceed both. She was a trailblazer as before her no one was actually pointing out and keeping track of lynchings.

[@Ultron-5]

She is one of my heroes, whenever I feel discouraged I remember people like her and Toni Morrison.

[@alvingreene4652]

...just think of how things could be if they had listened to Her...

[@lovely-mk4rt]

Someone needs to send this book to Rand Paul the Kentucky Senator that blocked lynching as a federal crime. 😡🤯😖

[@starcherry6814]

It’s about time ya’ll made a video for her! What took you guys’ so long?

[@TEDEd]

We're so excited that this animation is out in the world. Thanks for watching, Star Cherry!

[@noname8791]

Ida B Wells wasn't ahead of her time she was the time and everyone else was behind.

[@acatindisguise]

A smart and compassionate and powerful lady arising out of difficult circumstances. A true American (and to the rest of the world too!) hero!

[@bithikajha6416]

*And they say we learn from history* I see, people still haven't learnt . Salute to her

[@jroig824]

This shows that what could be seen as a "radical", "extremist" ideals more than 100 years ago turned out to be normal and widely accepted, because they are based on human equality and dignity. This is a lesson for today's ideologies, for example: conservatives today wanting to deny basic rights to millions of people living and working in the US only because "the law is the law", or promote inequality through extractive economic policies. Sooner or later, social progress always favor ideas based on equality and respect to human dignity.

[@AbhishekSingh-pp1ks]

Conservatives aren’t against fighting racism. We are against people who claim to be fighting racism but are really just trying to justify outrage. The correct way to fight racism is to look at people as individuals, not stirring up division through identity politics. Conservatives have always valued individuals, the left has always divided people into groups just like the racists in the South did. If you want to take a look at history, look at how dividing people up into groups lead to the horrors of racism in the South. If you want to look at history, look at how individualism and acceptance of people has lead to the strides of the civil rights movement. Conservatives aren’t against fighting racism, in fact quite the contrary.

[@alfredgomez3128]

@@AbhishekSingh-pp1ks Then shut up those who use trigger words relentlessly against any critical response, and you stop labeling folks as "left", "right" and so forth as it's a dividing tactic by itself. Cutting down your paragraphs gets the point across more fluidly, too. All sides need to calm their behavior and look for the corruption in their party. It's scientifcially harder for Conservatives since you're stubborn headed by nature, which takes away any good points that mindset has on maintaining your well being. www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/psychological-differences-between-conservatives-and-liberals-2018-2

[@iagreebut5157]

@@alfredgomez3128 That last part seemed unnecessary

[@iagreebut5157]

And will communism be the norm in the future?

[@stepanfedun9122]

@@alfredgomez3128 "We shouldn't divide people based on ideology" "Also, conservatives and liberals are different psychologically" *sniff sniff* oh what's that awful smell, could it be *sniff sniff* .... Hypocrisy?

[@dianabuck7310]

This is fabulous! I will definitely be introducing these videos to my students. :)

[@athykitsu]

I'm a student and my global history teacher introduced me to this video to do homework.

[@sweatpantsprincess3239]

Brilliance, dedication, and true intersectionality. Thank you for this video.

[@adamestes5227]

First I heard about Ida B. Wells was seeing her picture in my middle school US history textbook, but none of my middle school history teachers or my high school history teachers ever taught us about her, or many of her contemporaries for that matter. Then again, while I was interested in stories like hers, I was more invested in military history. But now I have been catching up on my own, and will probably hear more about her in my future university classes.

[@ramsaimaruti4923]

That's some history. Thanks Ted-Ed for this video. Great ppl like these inspire us a lot.

[@QuirkyGirlCorner]

As someone who grew up in the south and still lives here, I love my home but this part of our history and culture will never not cause me pain and shame.

[@priscilaguitao7383]

É triste saber que tão poucas pessoas a conhecem e sua história também. Mas obrigada, T-de, por transmitir essa mensagem para todo o mundo. Espero, assim, que cada vez mais pessoas saibam da Ida B. Wells e sua luta.

[@abhinavrm]

3:49 goosebumps!

[@lemondemonfangirl1337]

journalism then: i will risk my life to reveal murderers. journalism now: haha pc when 467 ads run at once go brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@HopeVideoEdits]

Magnificent video! Really loved the story telling, animation, and narration. Beautiful work TED-Ed.

[@cecilia08yeah]

This needs to be a movie

[@omggiiirl2077]

And sadly the violence is still going on.

[@jj-qr4ro]

The animation is beautiful!

[@ItsZenia119]

Why do schools never teach us these lessons for history???? Whyyyy? 😡

[@StopMotionWizard]

Cause it doesn't go with the curriculum. There is certain stuff they need to teach and it's hard to fit in extra stuff

[@gezi5927]

my school does, speak for yoursef

[@trouserslandman]

Literally brought me to tears. Well Done.

[@fauxvier8519]

America has such a bloody history

[@emperorscoubs2405]

Ted-Ed is one of THE most educative youtube channels.

[@worrystone4109]

So inspiring! Thank you so much for letting us know how messed up the past can be TED-Ed

[@TabbyTheCat]

There's an elementary School in Memphis, TN named after her and I'm proud I got to chance to visit that school and learn about her. That was 11 years ago.

[@katelynstout6169]

I've heard her name before but I've never learned Ida B. Wells's history! I have a feeling it has to do with her unwillingness to compromise, and in particular the impact that said unwillingness had. I feel like we still have many of the same problems today, with protestors sometimes trying too hard to get what they want through compromise, even when it's clear that the problems are intentional and no amount of niceness or compromise will fix that. I got chills watching this video. Thank you.

[@Pawlakov1]

Belgium oficially does not exist.

[@brendarua01]

huh?

[@dankjae]

@@brendarua01 2:51

[@brendarua01]

@@dankjae rofl ok

[@ummicoats5207]

I knew it.... also Canada isn't a real place either!

[@-gemberkoekje-5547]

#BelgianLivesMatter

[@angeladonato5096]

Once again welcome to another story the U.S. education system has failed to educate us on. Thank you TED-Ed for making this video. 💗💗💗💗

[@jamesdean3125]

And it's so many more story's that never get heard... thanks for sharing. Continue the good work. Let the world know.

[@siimkivisild2251]

Why isn't there a statue of her?

[@soulpancake1018]

This would make an incredible movie

[@shreyanshsuvin]

Absolute Madlad this Lady. 👍👍👌

[@cattidesjar4229]

Thank you TedEd for giving these heroes the recognition they deserve! It's sad that so many heroes are not heard of or learned about. But TedEd has brought them to light!

[@LindaMitchell]

This video shows that activists don't often agree on how to go about fighting for change. It doesn't mean that they're wrong per se. It just means that someone may have a different vision on what will work. Ida's fight helped so many people learn the truth about the atrocities of lynching. She's a hero and an inspiration to never give up.

[@andrewlopez9697]

If only we had more like you

[@blessingothusitse3983]

This video reminds me of an answer I always give when I hear people talk about time travel. If I could travel back to any point in time in our human history basically unless I was white or Islamic I would be too limited to call it a choice . American history is very tough and painful to listen to . That such brutality was okay . This lady honestly is beyond inspirational , she's a hero .

[@snehaaggarwal7256]

This is so inspiring! 🔥💪🏽

[@holyloli69420]

You the real MVP 👏

[@iloveyellow7214]

Whoever started Ted Ed is a blessing to us all. Thank God you guys exist Keep videos like this coming

[@katherineknapp4370]

Ida B. Wells is an inspiration!

[@desxren]

if you were Ida would you want to do the same thing that she did? why??

[@aaliyahmoniz7012]

its so sad how the school system doesnt teach us theese things...

[@prada4934]

im learning this in school right now 8th grade

[@inezlouisa6169]

Thank you TED-Ed for sharing stories about these amazing people who have made such an impact on history. I would never have learnt about these heroes without your videos. Keep them coming! 😊👍

[@Tam-gg4zr]

Someone needs to make a movie about this hero

[@YasmeenHannaniHafidz]

i cant wait talk about her for my public speaking assignment!! shes an inspiration

[@mrcommenter-z1b]

John : I heard Ida is sick. Hows she doing now? Matt : Ida B Well

[@user-nn9gr8bw4n]

As the son off Lineage off strong women who have fought insurmountable odds from all sides - I thank you and salute you, Thank you my wife - you saved me !! My the lineage continue with my strong and bullish daughters who we taught there is nothing you cannot do. My boy who showed me this - We are in good hands because off women like Ida B Wells and others like her. Good Bless.

[@inuhundchien6041]

She is very inspiring, I want a movie out of her.

[@quibily]

One of my favorite historical figures! I love her train story. Brave lady!

[@jimmowrer7096]

Thanks so much for sharing this story!

[@mikhelBrown]

This story will make a SUPERB movie adaptation. 💯

[@Abby-du4fy]

FR

[@nayeliruiz8098]

This made me cry, she is so strong

[@nyakhanchap2094]

I'm glad teded is posting about the racism undergone. I always get my comments banned when I post something about racism I go through. I am not wrong for not accepting racism.

[@d.b2370]

I AM CRYINGGG SHE WAS AAMAZINGGGG

[@mansamusa8410]

Justice for breonna Taylor

[@idab2605]

Such a shame I haven’t heard of her before

[@xingan4368]

The story of this great lady should be written in American text book to make everyone learn how difficult it is for human beings fighting for equality

[@grassgeese3916]

Miss Ida B Wells, you deserve to be in the history books. I wish I had learned about her incredible work in school. There are so many figures of history i am learning thru Ted-ED, thank u for the video!!!

[@theWZZA]

We need people like her more than ever.

[@mystvvmg]

Why didn't we learn this in school?

[@hthtv3440]

#IdaBWells... was *well* within her Soul... and Mine too! Thankh You.

[@VisionwithMistyBrowning]

She was also a teacher, Let's learn about her like we learned back in the day. Skits, plays in schools, churches, homes and record them for FB, KZbin and other platforms.

[@EXOL_1485]

Her story is so inspiring!

[@lucylincoln3285]

Biopic now, please.

[@kerumifrog]

I cried

[@brindade2004]

There should never be any compromise with justice. I had goosebumps while watching this video.

[@lukeboss7853]

Ida B.adass Wells was a hero to many! Respect to her!