In my opinion, Ida B. Wells-Barnett wrote "Lynch Laws" with a purpose of informing as well as driving people to action in order to stop lynching. She uses words such as "uncontrolled" and "uncivilized" as to appeal to people's emotions so that they can understand the barbaric ways of lynching. She also instructs her audience on how they can take action by speaking to large groups. She advocates by using statements such as "for the betterment of the country." Though she uses many stories of African Americans being lynch as to appeal to a sense of empathy, she also uses facts and logics so that all audiences could understand the depth of the tragedy.
When I read "Our Nig", I felt that Harriet Wilson did have the intentions of informing, but that was not her sole purpose. Wilson pleads for the support of her story simply by asking them to read it and pass along her story. I think the reason why she is so effective in doing so is because after dealing with several abandonments and tremendous torture, it is difficult for the audience to feel untouched by her story. However, there I do not sense that she writes with as much exigency as Wells- Barnett does. When reading "Our Nig", I did not sense what I could do as a reader that would benefit her cause. Though I was still deeply empathetic as a reader, I was left unsure of how I should have been meant to feel other than that.
Taryn, I agree with your statements about the motives of the authors. As we discussed in class the other day, it was decided that Ida B. Wells viewed the prejudice in the United States at the time as holding the country back, she even goes as far to say that the "country fails at self-government". It was her intention to inform the American people of the shortcomings in democratic policy.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Harriet Wilson, author of "Our Nig," tries to exploit the truth behind racism, even in the northern states. While she tells the story of Frado, I believe she is also trying to call to attention those who can help. By presenting Frado's story, Wilson allows readers to see into the lives of average "free blacks", and hopefully, take action against the cruelty.
Although the two authors take different approaches against racism in their writing, they are each attempting to call for help with ending prejudice in the United States.