Journalism Heroes: The Black Press

“Too long have others spoken for us...We wish to plead our own cause.”

In a time where African-American's were hushed by society, a group of freed blacks gathered in New York City with a mission to let their voices be heard. In 1887 the Black Press was created, originally being titled, Freedoms Journal. The purpose of this newspaper was to discuss political, social, and economic issues in the community. During this time African-Americans would hardly be spoken of in newsprint unless it was referring to a crime. So The Black Press became an outlet of expression, discussion, and celebration. Many people caught on too, the newspaper's weekly circulation was 15,000.

Rev. Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwur were the paper’s original editors. Throughout the newspaper's circulation many famous figures and abolitionist contributed to the paper. Some names include: Fredrick Douglas, Ida B wells, Daisy Bates, WEB Dubois, Langston Hughes, and Mary McLeod Bethune. Roles that were required were would editors, publishers, and even cartoonist.

Source

I find political cartoons to be very thoughtful and creative, although sometimes they go over my head. I found some interesting political cartoons from the Black Press. This cartoon from the Black Press pictured above was created during World War II by Jan Jackson. It depicts a double-standard of government intervention. The soldiers would rather go to help the ironically "enslaved" white woman in Europe instead of tending to real issues involving African-Americans. The black woman in chains depicts African-American struggles such as discrimination, racism, lynching, and civil rights. The purpose of this comic was to show where the United States government really was at the time of the Civil War. The Title of the cartoon states "We'll Be Back" It shows how the government puts off issues regarding American specifically Black issues. There were lots more cartoons and columns in the black press such as that gave blacks the chance to voice their political opinions. 

Today, the Black Press does not thrive as much as it did during the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and World War II, but it still in existence and has a website. Racism along with other issues in the black community are still present in the black community. The Black Press remains a news source that speaks out on those issues and so much more.

For more information on the Black Press you can view their website here!