This is an excerpt from Frederick Douglass’s essay “Why is the Negro Lynched?” made available by Project Gutenberg. The essay addresses the rise of lynching in the South and the false accusations levied against Black men, particularly the charge of assaulting white women. Douglass challenges the motives and credibility of the accusers, highlighting the historical context of slavery and the ongoing denial of Black citizens’ rights. He refutes claims that Black suffrage or ignorance is the root of Southern problems, pointing instead to the deeply ingrained racial prejudice and economic exploitation. Douglass advocates for justice, equality, and the upholding of constitutional rights as the true solution to the “Negro problem,” and criticizes schemes of colonization as an evasion of true justice. The essay implores America to live up to its ideals of liberty and equality for all citizens.
