Black History Film Series March – Ida B. Wells: A Passion For Justice

“Ida B. Wells: A Passion For Justice” (NR) (1989, 54 mins.) documents the dramatic life and turbulent times of the pioneering African American journalist, activist, suffragist and anti-lynching crusader of the post-Reconstruction period. At the time of the film’s initial release on The American Experience in late December 1989, Wells had been virtually forgotten, her autobiography long out of print. However, Wells was a household name in Black America during much of her lifetime (1863-1931) and was considered the equal of such well-known contemporary African American leaders as Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois.

The words of Wells are brought to life in the film through the performance of Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison as she reads selections from Wells’ memoir, Crusade for Justice,and other writings.