The First Obituary: Ida Wells - The Voice Against Racism
The first obituary was that of Ida Wells who spoke strongly against racism in the Deep South and reported on the lynching of blacks and minorities. She lived at a time when racism was rife, and few people dared to talk about it. For instance, she illuminated the story of Thomas Mos who was dragged out of jail and shot to death. Her relentless work would change the story of Afro-Americans and demonstrate that they have been profiled and abused (Trujillo 81). I think she deserved to be recognized for her immense contribution in articulating the mistreatments against the blacks. She took the risk to talk about real-life cases of bloody murders and heinous acts that were a taboo to talk about during her time. Therefore, it is only proper that she is remembered for her selfless act or using journalism to condemn social ills and other indescribable despicable acts.
The Second Obituary: Amy Qin - Poet and Revolutionary
The second obituary was that of Amy Qin. She was a poet and had a passion for bomb-making, wine, and swords. She studied Chinese martial arts and wrote poems, challenging the status quo where men predominantly participated in the game. However, her ambitions contrasted China’s entrenched patriarchal society that looked down on women. Thus, she would be the face of a revolution that championed for women equality not only in China but also the world (Trujillo 82). She went against the norms, defying the odds to learn abroad and change the women story. I opine that she earned her place in the obituary for her firm resolve to be different; to tell the plights of the Chinese woman that would also be replicated by other activists advocating for gender equality across the world.
Work Cited
Trujillo, Susan. “Sources: 100 People Who Changed 20th-Century America.” Reference " User Services quarterly, vol. 53, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 81–82, doi:10.5860/rusq.53n1.81
