Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-03-20
The Negro Press l. 1872 Years Old

The Negro press Of the United states beginning this week
observing the l32nd anniversary Of the founding II the rs
American newspaper edited and pubahod by Negroes
feature % the week long observance The presentation
Of The usswum awards Americans and others who have IN
outstanding frthercd the o. equality
and social Justice IN this nation elsewhere.
The awards named after John Ruaswuun the first
Negro college graduate and editor u the first Negro
paper Freedoms Journal which he IN 1897 along with John
Cornish free Negro, without formal education founded
II is not being redundant repetitious recall the
great contribution which the 1873 year old Negro press has
made To the American scene
For years like voice crying alone the wilderness
for freedom justice and equality IN this stood almost alone
for hundred years with few notable exceptions among
tho press controlled by the whites Of the which
haa been supported by the nckes dimes dollars both
whites aud blacks
Even today when il has become fashionable Cor the major
lily Of the influential daies IN the y with the exception
Of few southrn 10 apay aud decent
meu Of the American Negro the Negro Press s has the
Of keeping the heat on ia the interest Of freedom for all
people Ia these United States
is this newspapers oam often reiterated ia this space
and IN speeches made by its editor that the American Negro
Press sti remains the eces press the entire world Built
almost with the bare hands aud backs editors publishers
aud workers sustained many times little else bat dedication
and faith the Negro Press individually Ia still big business
despite great America now has large outas
in capital buildings equipment and payroll but in Is
not dedicated to making money alone
can Negro is well appreciated deserves Every
has heard the wseeraos that the ignorant and often
llerao Negro who should know better refer dersye
terms 70 the Black Dispatch, tho nickname used IRE
queutly 10 describe the Negro Press
As the years have gone by this deon has slowly changed
kidding reference intended humorous which Is mixed
with respect The growing intelligence If the Negroes
realize than the upper class Negroes just what The Negro
press has been able to do for a Negroes aud the
community we'll
Those who ara obaeryant will mote thai there opa have
been successful NAAcP know today without the
support of crsadng vEant aud courageous Negro
Whom tho daily practically ignoring the NAAcP
in their columns the Negro running columns
o. material about It's program and work
The is true ~ The National Urban League and num.
Der Of other important national groups who first
vital support IN the columns o. The often poorly supported
Negro Press
vital been organised churches in the life 81
the American Negro has been tho press which has helped
religion in the American Negro community Many
standing ehuchman clergyman ayman would have remained
uunoeed and unaung except for this press
The American Negro important part az American
dustry largely ts Negro press that called the
attention Of industry the great neglected II Negro
workers whose sks and potential WAS being used only in
limited circumstances aud roles which loss the nation
economy,
Il the Negro Press which first called attention ~
organized labor before the advent Of the CO whitr
policy which the end designed defeat lis very purpose
Of organization Of workers effective collective bargaining
The Negro Press hrayed The wrath et Big business when did
this because recognized that 70 per u Amecas Negro
One tenth would remain workers for years 10
The Negro Press encouraged Negroes 10 seek education
IL urged assumption Of the basic community responsibilities
the practice of thrift tho purchase Of homes good upkeep
OF home block and area
u commended and sii contends that there such thing
Negro crime and pointed that crime among Negroes Is
caused by the which create crime among
environment lack ot opportunity education
gapf employment and the other Illustrations that spawn our
criminal class plus the added handicap called and
in the US
Most o. the Negro papers to-day the nation Ugh, every
attempt limit the Negro IN his constitutional
rights with the exception ~ few noudescrpt sheets who
oady the white mRiorys caprcioas attitudes what
the Negro should have have
These papers also consider t part Of their SOB 20 c
lapscs unfavorahe conditions and lacks Negro com
muny They recognise that part OF the u securing f
equality the Negro that tho Negro himself Is aware
Of the need to b. prepared for equality hs complete