Mia Bay is an American historian who delves into the rich tapestry of African American history and culture. Her work critically examines themes of race, identity, and societal shifts with a sharp analytical lens and an accessible narrative style. Bay illuminates pivotal moments and figures within the struggle for civil rights and the broader African American experience. Through her writing, she offers readers profound insights into the past and its enduring resonance in the present.
"What was it like to travel while Black under Jim Crow? Mia Bay brings this dramatic history to life. With gripping stories and a close eye on the rail, bus, and airline operators who implemented segregation, she shows why access to unrestricted mobility has been central to the Black freedom struggle since Reconstruction and remains so today"-- Provided by publisher
Ida B. Wells's life journey from slavery to becoming a prominent antilynching crusader and women's rights advocate showcases her unwavering commitment to racial equality. Her bold stance against compromise and her critique of prominent figures like Booker T. Washington positioned her as a radical voice in civil rights. Mia Bay's richly illustrated narrative traces Wells's impactful legacy, detailing her childhood in Mississippi, her early journalism in Memphis, and her experiences in Progressive-era Chicago, highlighting her significant contributions to social justice.
Historical studies of white racial thought have focused on white ideas about the Negroes. Bay's study examines the reverse - black ideas about whites, and, consequently, black understandings of race and racial categories.