Why is the Negro Lynched?

Name: Why is the Negro Lynched?
Author: Frederick Douglass

By Frederick Douglass

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Essays, Letters & Speeches History - American

About This Book

An essay examining the epidemic of lynching and mob violence directed against Black people, arguing that mobs substitute for law, that accusations—particularly of assaults on white women—are often rumor-driven and used to justify extrajudicial murder, and that respectable classes and officials frequently tolerate or endorse such violence. The author challenges prevailing narratives, disputes claims about Black criminality, documents the lawlessness and brutality of mobs, and calls for legal protection, public accountability, and moral reform to safeguard rights and restore justice.

About the Author

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895) was a prominent American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Born into slavery, he escaped and became a leading figure in the fight for the abolition of slavery and for civil rights. His powerful autobiographies, particularly "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" and "My Bondage and My Freedom," provide profound insights into the experiences of enslaved people and the struggle for freedom. Douglass was also known for his eloquent speeches, such as "John Brown: An Address at the 14th Anniversary of Storer College," which addressed the moral imperative of ending slavery. His legacy continues to influence discussions on race, equality, and justice in America.