Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a fierce woman who fought to stop the unlawful lynching of citizens in the United States. Her place at the dinner table describes everything she advocated for and experienced in her lifetime.
First, the color of the place setting is gold to show how her spirit and might illuminated any room she walked into. The gold can also be an ode to how beautiful I believe heaven to be as she was a devout Christian. Her religion played a big part in her activism. As a Christian, Ida believed all people were equal and should be treated fairly. Her beliefs helped drive her even further and rally support from her fellow church members.
On the plate, the rope symbolizes her advocacy against lynching in the United States. It is followed by gold decor to show the success she has had in her efforts. Upon her travel to Illinois, her advocacy there prompted the halt of any more lynchings in the state to date. That along with the liberation of lawful equality of minorities in the United States, the gold breaks the rope of oppression many people of color have faced. Although it may seem undone, the blank part of the plate is an indicator that there is still progress to be made. Although lynchings in the United States have become frowned upon, minorities still face present day forms of discrimination. The blankness should make those that see Ida’s place setting to want to become active in the efforts to stop discrimination and inequality in the United States.
Lastly, the center of the plate symbolizes how important education was to Ida B. Wells-Barnett. The chalkboard in the center shows the many years Ida spent as an educator. In her early life, she helped raise her siblings after her parents and youngest sibling passed away during the Yellow Fever epidemic. One of my favorite quotes by Ida B. Wells-Barnett is “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them”. This piece in a way sheds the light of truth on her work and the progress we in turn we need in order to keep her legacy alive.
First, the color of the place setting is gold to show how her spirit and might illuminated any room she walked into. The gold can also be an ode to how beautiful I believe heaven to be as she was a devout Christian. Her religion played a big part in her activism. As a Christian, Ida believed all people were equal and should be treated fairly. Her beliefs helped drive her even further and rally support from her fellow church members.
On the plate, the rope symbolizes her advocacy against lynching in the United States. It is followed by gold decor to show the success she has had in her efforts. Upon her travel to Illinois, her advocacy there prompted the halt of any more lynchings in the state to date. That along with the liberation of lawful equality of minorities in the United States, the gold breaks the rope of oppression many people of color have faced. Although it may seem undone, the blank part of the plate is an indicator that there is still progress to be made. Although lynchings in the United States have become frowned upon, minorities still face present day forms of discrimination. The blankness should make those that see Ida’s place setting to want to become active in the efforts to stop discrimination and inequality in the United States.
Lastly, the center of the plate symbolizes how important education was to Ida B. Wells-Barnett. The chalkboard in the center shows the many years Ida spent as an educator. In her early life, she helped raise her siblings after her parents and youngest sibling passed away during the Yellow Fever epidemic. One of my favorite quotes by Ida B. Wells-Barnett is “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them”. This piece in a way sheds the light of truth on her work and the progress we in turn we need in order to keep her legacy alive.