My Communications Assignment

In New York City in 1826 about 1/15 part of the population was African American, but only fifteen of them were qualified to vote. African Americans were definitely a minority, and they were vilified in the pages of the white newspaper. The first black newspaper, “Freedom’s Journal,” was established so that the black population could have a voice in society. While the paper only lasted for two weeks, it paved the way for the immediate emergence of more than twenty other black newspapers.

“The North Star” was perhaps the most influential of these papers. African American Frederick Douglas was the paper’s editor. Douglas realized that the press was vital to social change for the black people. Politicians like the US President, Senators, and Representatives read his paper.

Douglas’ paper emphasized the need for the African Americans’ voice in society. After slavery was “ended” by the Civil War, “The North Star” pulled the black people together into one community by elevating their morale, and giving them a sense of social consciousness.

“The North Star” led to the emergence of over 500 black papers after the Civil War. These papers appeared across the country, and when the Federal Government withdrew protection for blacks in the south in 1876 and the post-construction period began, papers like Douglas’ gave the African American population a common ground to fight from.

The later part of the 1800s marked the reconstruction period in the south. During this time the black press united citizens by speaking out against white oppression, namely lynchings. Ida B. Wells began the “Memphis Free Speech,” a paper that blatantly spoke out against white oppression. Even though her press was destroyed while she was on a trip to the North, and she didn’t return to the South for thirty years, her paper and her journalistic style set the stage for activist black journalism for the future.

Robert S. Abbot was one person who was a product of Wells’ persistence and activism. In 1893, at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Abbot heard Frederick Douglas (a colleague of Ida B. Wells) speak out for the black people. Abbot, a journalism student, redirected his life in an effort to make America into a country that would be what it really was supposed to be—one that protects the life and liberty of its citizens.

Between the years of 1900 and 1910 over 2600 newspapers were published in the United States, the highest number ever. In 1910 there were 275 black papers in print. Such a large number of papers in circulation was guaranteed to begin social reform for the African American people.

The Black press’s main role during this time was to provide the blacks a common avenue to speak out against social injustices and to become prosperous and recognized in society. The Black press brought about such social reforms as: helping blacks to become established in the community by aiding them in finding houses and jobs, speaking out against racism in the media, teaching social graces to African Americans, decreasing segregation, and granting civil rights.

Two major newspapers played a significant role during this time: The California Eagle, and the Chicago Defender. The California Eagle, begun by John J. Neymore, hired Charlotte Bass because of her undying dedication to rid the United States of racism and bigotry. The California Eagle enticed blacks to come to Los Angeles by informing them about buying homes, getting jobs, and improving the quality of their lives. The Eagle also spoke out actively against unrealistic portrayals of the Blacks in the media.

In 1905 the Chicago Defender was started by Abbot. The defender was sold in both the North and the South and read by about 500,000 blacks each week. Abbot’s paper exposed the actions of racists and prompted the black population to move to the North, where they would find good jobs and good lives.

All of the black papers during this time gave the African American population a sense of hope and pride. The papers showed the full spectrum of life in black communities: sports, jobs, news, and shopping which united the African American people.