Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1953-04-04
u P
A n D
D 0 W n
F A R is H
S I R EE J
BY PERCY GREENE

hhloI y 4 NEE oA ORDA
NIGHT: Looka Hyar, You'all !.
Hyars what l was thinking bout
while | was setting down eatin
ma feesh, and drinking ma beer
seed in the newspaper the other
day where some of us folks was
-talkin bout Negro Newspapers,
bout how little they had when the
fust started, and how hard and de-
termined the editors work to bring
them out.
One member of the group re-
called how in the early days edi-
tors used to solicit ads, write all
OF the copy, set the type, run off
the papers, and then tuck them
under their arms and peddle them
on the streets themselves.
Negro newspapers have come Il
long way since then. While some
of them are still struggling, many
of them now control vast chains
and boast of wide calculations.
This has not been easy to
achieve, because the early editors
were constantly under pressure
from outside interests who wished
TO gain control of their papers.
They remained steadfast, however
and underwent a great deal of
suffering in order to keep their
publications independent.
But, in addition to financial diff
flcultles, most Negro newspapers
have, at some time or other, had
to face a kind of opposition thew
should never have had to face
criticism from the very people thew
have tried to help.
Ridiculing and criticizing Negro
| newspapers used to be a popular
indoor sport. In some circles it
still IS. Many Negroes who consid-
er themselves well-educated and
! intelligent heap abuse aplentv on
Negro publications in general.
Every once in while would
be "reformer" appears on the
scene with head full of ideas for
making over the Negro press. II
IS too sensational, they will say,
on It's makeup is most unprofes-
slonal, or it stresses sex too much,
and so on and on.
Thpcp Hroforr,n,ov
two things in common: first. most
of them boast that thew never
read the Negro newspapers; and
second, they are almost ALWAYS
without any experience at all in
the field of journalism.
They build .osy dream of a
Negro newspaper with all the vir-
tues and none of the faults of the
best daily newspapers they can
think OF. They join with some white
critics who with malicious intent,
severely criticize Negro publica
lions and Negro life generally.
The parade seems to have pass
ed these people by however. Negro
newspapers are moving steadily
forward, gaining in strength and
skill; and while still not perfect,
their problem is one of limited re-
sources rather than know-how.
They have had to expand SLOWLY
because at critical times, it is not
easy for them to obtain additional
capital, unless, Of course, their
owners are willing to sacrifice
their independence.
Before | got thru wild ma feesh
and beer | thought-up that | augh
ia tell Yu'all something to do size
what you been doing bout us
Newspapers There's a lotta
business places where yu'alls buy
your clothes. groceries, autos. and
things that spend thousands of
dollars year for advertising ;. Il
but nary dime with yu'alls pa.
per -. . stead of talking bout 'em
lack you been doing you could say
to some of them places where you
trade How come you don't
never put no advertising in the
Negro Paper !. +. and when we git
some more advertising, we kin give
some more of yu'all children Jobs
setting-up to typewriters when
they come outta them colleges
which is jest about the only place
they's gonna git sicha job E. do
yu'all git me?
IT'S THE TOWNS NEW
SNOWFLAKE: Out at the Corner