African American News Media

George Sylvie

African American news media grew—as media so often do—from a need to communicate displeasure, in this case, of blacks with the way the white U.S. majority had treated them. A single publication blossomed into several hundred, driving a popular movement for equality as well as a people's struggle toward civic, educational, and economic fulfillment. The black press dominated much of the first two centuries of that struggle, showcasing the debate on its pages while transmitting mainstream values and ideals to its readership and modeling prevailing newspaper business practices. Advances in technology have led to other, more viable forms of media, most notably radio and television—which continued to provide alternative, if relatively few, voices to the concerns of blacks. At the dawn of the Internet era, African Americans continue to struggle and plead their cause. Despite their plight, African slaves who were brought to North America beginning in the 1600s created ...

Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.