The Black Press and the Struggle for Civil Rights

An account of the Black press from the first Black newspaper to the integration of Black journalists into the mainstream of American journalism

Grade 8 Up-Senna traces the evolution of the black press from 1827 to the present with specific and detailed attention to its role in African Americans' struggle for civil rights. The book is a solid, academic contribution for students of history and journalism. Especially interesting are the chapters that deal with slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Readers will recognize such names as John Brown, W.E.B. DuBois, T. Thomas Fortune, Frederick Douglass, Ada B. Wells, Carl Rowan, and John Harold Johnson. They will also be introduced to numerous other men and women who sought to provide and to promote the publishing ventures. The excerpts from the pioneer black papers give readers a good picture of those early writers, editors, and publishers and give examples of their passion for freedom and equality. Black-and-white photos add interest.
Valerie Childress, J.W. Holloway Middle School, Whitehouse, TX
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the appearance of Freedom's Journal in 1827 to what Senna sees as today's ``integration of black journalists into the mainstream of American journalism,'' the battles for emancipation, and then for civil rights, have been the black press's chief raison d`ˆtre, the battle for commercial viability its Waterloo. Senna's account of prominent journalists, from Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells to Carl Rowan, and generally evanescent publications (Ebony and others from John H. Johnson's publishing empire are exceptions) suggests the integral role that press has played in our social and political history. Unfortunately, the book is superficially researched (endnotes cite only secondary sources plus a 1969 Britannica article), and heavily padded with general history; despite frequent quotes, it lacks all but the barest hint of the special flavor of black journalism. This may have some appeal for its unusual focus but, if possible, steer readers to Wolseley's imposing Black Press, USA (Iowa State University Press, second editon 1990). Perfunctory, dark b&w illustrations; bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. YA) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 7-12. In 1827, Freedom's Journal, the first African American newspaper in the U.S., was published by John B. Russwurm and Reverend Samuel E. Cornish because, "We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us." Although all the African American publications begun in the nineteenth century were poorly financed and short-lived, once heard, the African American voice was never silenced, and new publications cropped up as the old failed. Senna traces the history of many of these publications from Freedom's Journal to the most influential present-day newspapers, devoting considerable space to Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, W. E. B. DuBois, Robert Abbott, John Johnson, and others who greatly influenced the style and substance of minority publications. The author offers little critical commentary, seemingly seeing no difference in the quality of the various periodicals. Still, for those seeking information on the African American press, this thoroughly annotated volume provides a beginning. A few black-and-white photographs are included, and a list of suggested additional readings is appended. Sheilamae O'Hara