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African American News&Issues
Press from pg. 1
cover story Origination of the Black Press
HOUSTON - It is no secret that rugged depictions and stereotypical assumptions featuring African-Americans, often consume televised reporting networks to present a generalized view of the Blackcommunity. Nevertheless, it is the role of the Black Press to honor the proclamation notated in the first African-American newspaper, “Too long have others spoken for us… We wish to plead our own cause.”
Origination of the BlackPress
The Freedom’s Journal was the first African-American newspaper in the country. It was formed in New York by John Russwurm and Rev. Samuel Cornish, who were two African-Americans on March 16, 1827. The journal included: foreign and domestic news, editorials, biographies, births and deaths and advertisements within the Blackculture. During the era the newspaper was published, slavery had yet to be abolished. Blackpast.org informs that the publication presented, “Editorials deriding slavery, racial discrimination, and other injustices against African-Americans were aimed at providing a counterweight to many of the White newspapers of the time period which openly supported slavery and racial bias.” Although Freedom’s Journal was only in circulation for two years, it heavily impacted the African-American community and inspired the emergence of many other Blackpublishers, such as: Frederick Douglass, Philip Alexander Bell, John Mitchell, Jr., Anthony Overton, Robert Lee Vann, Marcus Garvey, John H. Johnson, Fleming Alexander and a long list to follow. Frederick Douglass was one of the most instrumental figures in the history of dominating the Blackpress. He was a self-liberated slave from Maryland. After learnTX- 4
Texas • JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018 Texas •29 August 12-18,4,2013
John H. Johnson
ing the alphabets from his slave master’s wife, he taught himself how to read and write. Early in life, he sought out an escape from the bonds of enslavement, a mission he accomplished by the age of 20, when he fled to the North. During the Civil War, he strongly opposed slavery and women’s suffrage. On December 3, 1847, he published The North Star, an anti-slavery newspaper in Rochester, New York. The name of the paper reflected the North Star which slaves used as a guide in the night to lead them to freedom. Its motto was, “Right is of no sex—Truth is of no color— God is the Father of us all, and we are brethren.” In the first issue of The North Star, Douglass stated his purpose for establishing the newspaper. He expressed that it was, “common sense that those who suffer injustice are those who must demand redress and, thus, African-American authors, editors, and orators must have their own paper with which to share their voices.” Content such as: slavery abolishment and political issues, editorials, letters from readers, poetry, book reviews and advertisements were produced in the periodical. Though popular
in its time, the newspaper did not generate enough to self-suffice. The financial strain resulted in a merger between The North Star and Gerrit Smith’s, Liberty Party Paper, which created the Frederick Douglass’ Paper. After dedicating nearly 12-years as a publisher in the BlackPress, Douglass permanently ceased the publication when he left for a lecture tour in England. However, the journalistic podium that he created for himself paved the way for a foray into politics. To this day, Douglass is known for his works with President Abraham Lincoln, which produced the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Role of the BlackPress in Our Society
As time progressed and the Blackpress continued to evolve, scores of African-American newspapers and journals were birthed. It has been proven that each century in American society, yields some form of unbalanced treatment amongst the Blackcommunity. During the afflicting days of slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow Laws, segregation, The Civil Rights struggle and other hurdles, the Blackpress has been an influential platform which has served to bring awareness and empowerment to members of the African-American community. Even today it serves as a catalyst to speak out for those who have no voice. It has continued to provide a view as to where we come from, things we have overcome and issues that we face today. James Baldwin once said, “If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go.” This is the importance of newspapers such as ours and other Blackpress publications. We live in a culture where many publishers capitalize off of the circulation and benefits that the BlackPress possesses; yet
many are not a true inclusion by definition. For our understanding, Roland Wolsely defined certain criteria that a publication must meet to be an established member of the BlackPress. He explains in The BlackPress that, “Blacks must own and manage the publication… they must be the dominant racial group connected with it… The publication must be intended for Blackconsumers… a magazine or newspaper for Blackcitizens which deals with their interests and concerns and is not primarily for Whites. The paper or magazine must serve, speak and fight for the Blackminority.”
African-American News & Issues, 23-Year Journey
In the mid 90’s, chairman of the Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce, Roy Douglas Malonson along with wife and partner Shirley Ann, sought after a publication that would be by the people and for the people. Pursuant, Roy contacted several existing Blacknewspapers, at an attempt to produce and generate a quality newspaper that would cater to typical residents of the AfricanAmerican community; most of whom were often overlooked in other publications. Despite his continued efforts to work with preestablished publishers to create a true Blackpaper with a Blackvoice, none were interested. Determined to provide the community with a newspaper that would give African-Americans a genuine platform, the Malonson’s created the Acres Home Citizens’ News, locally published by Malonson Company in February of 1996. The paper developed an audience as the “official voice of Acreage Homes reporting on schools, churches, businesses and community.” Within four months the community periodical was noticeably a rampant success. The
name of the paper was changed to reflect the accurate name of the community, Acreage Homes Citizens’ News. In September of 1996, the name of the paper was changed to Citizens’ News which expanded its circulation from the Acreage Home Community to include other Black communities in North Houston including: Bordersville, Carverdale, Trinity Gardens, Independence Heights, Scenic Woods and Settegast. As the newspaper was in its developmental stages it underwent various styles, designs and formats which can be visibly noted from the premier introduction of the first volume up until its current style and design. Another name change was implemented into the publication
James Baldwin
that began to make its presence known within Houston’s North side. In February of 1997 the name was changed from Citizens’ News to Acres Home Citizen with an emphasis of being the link to North Houston African-American communities. In May of 1997, due to the rapid demand for such a unique style of publication, the company initiated the inclusion of a much broader spectrum. As a result, To continue...See page 5