Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-05-09
Mr.. Westbrook Pegler And The Negro Press

Mr.. Westbrook Pegler And The Negro Press
of the leading newspaper coumniss of today writing in
his daily column FAIR ENOUGH widely published and
widely read by intelligent people of both throughout
the country made criticisms the results of recent
study of the Chicago Defender and the Pittsburgh Courier
two of the leading Negro newspapers the country and
because of their recognition leaders in the field of Negro
Journalism and in expressing the hopes wishes the
Negro citizens of the country Mr. Pegers did
fail to attract the attention of Negro and white people
erywhere
after considering the assumption that nothing above crit
after considering the assumption that nothing above crt
cism, think generally speaking Mr. Peger had ample
grounds from which to spring his remarks which should
be given the most thought and consideration by
those who would attempt carry the most serious and
reaching responsibility of the Press and the Negro
paper.
In his article, Mr. Pegler points out the tendency on
the part of the Negro newspaper editoaze the
which has long been recognized by intelligent Negro read
and critics of the chief faults of Negro Press
In another part of the article Mr.. Pegler referred to
the sensaonalsm and obvious inflammaory bias in the
treatment of especially in those cases where the
tors are white and coored people That this is true is EVIL
denced in the pointed out in the article and that per-
haps reached unprecedented depth the treatment of
the Spell Case of some months ago.
1t to that above every other thing purpose
OF the Negro newspaper should be that of stimulating mutual
confidence respect and goodwill between the two groups
as the first condition upon which understanding of the
nope wishes and fears of the Negro citizens of the country
might reach friendly hearts and minds It hardly be
claimed by that sensatonasm obvious nflam
matory bias in the treatment of the will accomplish
such results
By far the most serious charge is made when Mr. Peg
Ter hkens the Defender and Courier the Communist
Party Daily Worker and Coughlins Social Justice and
these Negro papers agtate violently and think to the
same dangerous degree that alleged against Coughn
weekly particularly in their appeal to colored soldiers
whose loyalty is constantly bedeved with doubts and with
race-angHng of news
Social Justice Father Cougbins magazine having been
banned from the mails only day before this article
Mr. Peger intentionally unntentionally implies that the
courier and Defender should also be banned from the mails
Those who are acquainted with the Communist Daily
and Father Coughns Social Justice with the Courier
the Defender will readily find all of them guilty of the
charge of agitation but will also be forced to Judge them
wholly different in considering what each of them are ag
tatlng for or against
In recent months, however, imperfecty written and
presented especially since Pearl Harbor the Courier and
for greater opportunity for the Negro work. fight and die
tc preserve the American Way of Life for Free
dom Of Speech Freedom from Fear and Want for
all men here and abroad without regard race creed
or color; for real worldwide and universal Christian
Democratic Brotherhood. And the improve
ents made in the opportunity for Negroes fight
IN recent weeks has been great stimulus to the morale
the tyro soldier and civilian In helping bring about such
results the Defender and Courier and the Negro
have not only helped the Negro citizens but also helped
the idea of World Democracy well the idea of Amer
can Democracy.
Thus must perforce discern difference between
the Courier the Defender the Negro Press and the
munlst Daily Worker and Father Coughlns Social Justice
Mr.. Pegler also made pointed remarks about the
products being advertised in the leading Negro papers
Finally Mr. Peglers article should not fail to bring
about needed reforms the general policy of the pa
pers referred to- and should further awaken the Negro
Press and editors everywhere the seriousness their
SponSlbllity in these troublesome times.