Where do you see courage in your own life, and in the country at large?
Artist's Note
鈥淢aybe it is because I grew up in the Sixties that I think America runs on rage and courage.鈥
鈥淭his occurred to me as a teen when I saw鈥痶he Freedom鈥疪ides on television. I watched helplessly as activists on south-bound buses were met by tire-irons and bombs; I was filled with awe when the riders, many of them teenagers themselves, and led by black women, kept on riding.
鈥淲here did the rage come from? The courage? What was this thing called鈥痳ace鈥痶hat dug so deeply beneath both?
鈥淭hese were the questions that made me a writer.
鈥淪o, imagine my excitement when I came across the story of a Black woman journalist by the name of Ida B. Wells who, in 1892, singlehandedly began a national and international campaign against lynching.
鈥淚ndeed, hers was a story of rage and courage.
鈥淎s I was writing about her, I wondered 鈥 and perhaps you might鈥痶oo鈥 which was the greater courage? Physical courage? Or the courage to defy conventions of race, gender and class at the risk of repudiation, even鈥痓y鈥痮ne鈥檚 own?鈥
About the Artist
Paula Giddings, a member of the Academy and of the Commission on the Arts, is the Elizabeth A. Woodson 1922 Professor Emerita of Africana Studies at Smith College.
Additional Notes
The bronze sculpture behind Paula depicts Ida B. Wells. It was created by Tami Brooks of Atlas Bronze Casting.
Excerpt from A Sword Among Lions by Paula J. Giddings. Copyright 漏 2008 by Paula J. Giddings. Courtesy of the author and HarperCollins Publishers.
Explore Mixtape
Commission on the Arts
The Commission - drawing on the expertise of its members who are artists, scholars, activists, and leaders, as well as the input of people across the country who participated in listening sessions - dedicated itself to recognizing and supporting the essential role of the arts and artists in American life.