"The city of Memphis has demonstrated that neither character nor standing avails the Negro if he dares to protect himself against the white man or become his rival"

This quote by Ida B. Wells speaks to the truth of bigotry and injustice that African Americans faced in the late 19th century. The city of Memphis is used as an example to demonstrate that no matter how much character or standing a black individual had, they were still vulnerable to the white guy's power. This quote indicates that if a black individual attempted to stand up for themselves or compete with a white person, they would be consulted with violence and injustice. This quote functions as a pointer of the systemic bigotry that African Americans dealt with throughout this time period and the power imbalance between white and black individuals. It likewise works as a warning to African Americans that they ought to not challenge the white guy's authority, as it could cause alarming repercussions. This quote is a powerful tip of the racism and injustice that African Americans dealt with in the late 19th century and serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for oneself and defending justice.