Chapter I: Preface

This pamphlet does not pretend to be a detailed or scholarly discussion of the subject. Lack of experience and funds have limited the author to a mere outlining or suggesting of the field. In fact, this essay is only the expansion of a term paper submitted in fulfillment of a semester requirement in the Course in Journalism.

The main purpose of this essay is to show the various stages of development through which the Negro press has evolved with a view of furnishing a background for the better understanding of its present status. It is written, too, to present the problems and inherent possibilities of Negro Journalism; to point out the progress which is being made today; and to suggest future possibilities. If this attempt, amateur and incomplete as it may be, in any measure awakens an interest in the achievements and efforts of Negro newspapers and magazines it has served its purpose.

For the period up to 1890, the author frequently has referred to _The Afro-American Press_ and Its Editors by I. Garland Penn—a work which is an authority on the subject for the period covered by it. A large part of the biographical data and information on present day newspapers was obtained from the Negro Year Book and communications. I especially wish to thank those editors and publishers who so kindly gave me the information which I desired.

I am also very grateful to The Chicago Defender and The Southern Workman of Hampton, Va., for the loan of some cuts.

Especially do I wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance and helpful criticism of my instructor, Prof. L. E. Mitchell, director of the Course in Journalism, in DePauw University.

GEORGE W. GORE, JR.

Greencastle, Indiana.

CONTENTS

Transcriber’s Note: Chapter numbering in this table of contents doesn’t correspond to the chapter numbering in the text (due, it seems, to a late insertion of the preface as an extra chapter).

I. PREFACE—

II. EARLY ATTEMPTS (1827-1847)—

1. Discussion of nine pioneer papers.

2. Biographic sketches of their editors.

III. THE ABOLITIONIST PRESS (1847-1865)—

1. Discussion of eleven papers.

2. Biographic sketches of editors.

IV. THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD (OR THE PERIOD OF FREEDOM) (1865-1880)—

1. Discussion of principal papers and their editors.

2. Statistics as to paper published.

V. THE TRANSITION PERIOD (1880-1900)—

1. Discussion of papers established that still exist.

2. The Associated Correspondents of Race Newspapers.

VI. THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA (1900-)—

1. Journalism regarded as a vocation.

2. Discussion of organization, staffs, circulation and
advertisements.

3. News service and syndicates.

VII. PRESENT DAY NEWSPAPERS—

1. Discussion of mechanical equipment, news handling, etc.

2. Circulation and staffs.

3. Twelve best Negro newspapers.

VIII. DAILY NEGRO NEWSPAPERS—

1. Early attempts.

2. Daily editions for special periods.

3. Present day dailies.

IX. NEGRO MAGAZINES—

1. Precursors.

2. Discussions of the development.

3. Present day publications—characteristics, size, circulation,
and aim.

X. JOURNALISM AND NEGRO SCHOOLS—

1. High School and College papers.

2. College courses in Journalism—Howard, Fisk, and Wilberforce.

3. Training in printing—Tuskegee and Hampton.

XI. A FORECAST OF THE FUTURE—

1. Development, opportunity for advancement, and achievement.

XII. APPENDIX—LIST OF NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES PUBLISHED TODAY.

A History of Negro Journalism In the United States