Ida B. Wells began her journalism career just after the Civil War, 
when rights were given to African Americans to be equals.   While 
living in Memphis, Wells became an editor and co-owner of a local 
black newspaper called "The Free Speech and Headlight."
Wells earned a reputation when she would report wrongdoings to the 
African American race.  She reported "rape" lynching of innocent black 
men if they were accused of sleeping with white women.

She had friends who had owned a general store.  They were attacked by a 
group of white men with guns.  They shot back to defend themselves and 
were lynched.  Wells inspired many blacks to move to Oklahoma where racism 
was not as present.  Returning from an editors convention in New York, 
she found her workplace burned to the ground and was receiving death threats.
She later moved to Oklahoma.