Blog three: lynch law in all its phases

racial precedence - the condition of being considered more important than someone or something else solely based on ones race.

being trumped, favored, or having an unfair advantage.
ex. a white woman claiming rape compared to a black man claiming innocence.

In this blog, I will be discussing how racial precedence remained a prominent theme in post-Civil War times even after slaves were declared free and equal.  In the text Southern Horrors and Other Writings: The Anti-Lynching Campaign of Ida B. Wells, 1892-1900..."A white woman's word was taken as absolutely in this case as when the cry of rape is made, and he was freed" (Royster 56).  In this instance, a white woman's racial precedence had a positive outcome.  Even without an outcry from the woman herself, this man was jailed and would've been lynched.  However, when she spoke up, this man was released.  As many of the white woman had racial precedence in society when it came to things of this nature, many were too apprehensive to speak up.  The white male had power and control over the white woman who could've easily been considered as a pawn.  This apprehension of the white woman, who clearly had a voice, could've been a direct result of fear of the white male.  When observed from not only the African American community's fear of the white male, but the white woman's fear, as well, this example of feeling oppressed could be directly related to the perception of a white male dominated society.  This may also lead us into the speculation that this may have ultimately played a part in driving the white woman into the arms of the black man when referring to the topic of interracial relations.