St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-03-20
The Negro Press Is 1872 Years Old

The Negro press the United beginning this week
observing the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the first
American newspaper edited and published by Negroes
feature of the week long observance the presentation
Americans and others who have in
outstanding urthered the of equality
and social justice in this nation, elsewhere.
The awards named after John Russwurm, the first
Negro college graduate and editor of the first Negro
paper Freedoms Journal which he in 1927 along with John
Cornish, free Negro, without formal education founded
is being redundant repetitous recall the
great contribution which the 132 year old Negro has
made to the American scene.
For years like voice crying alone in the wilderness
for freedom justice and equality In this it stood almost alone
for hundred years. with few notable exceptions
the press controlled by the whites of the nation which of
has been supported by the nckes dimes dollars both
whites and blacks.
today when become fashionable the major
y of the most influential daes in the US with the exception
of few southern papers espOuse fay and decent
Negro the Negro Press still has the
of keeping the heat on in the interest of freedom for all
people in these United States
1t is this newspapers claim often reiterated in this space
and speeches made by editor that the American Negro
Press still remains the eees press in the entire world Built
almost with the bare hands and backs of its editors publishers
and workers. sustained many times little else but dedication
and faith the Negro Press individually is still big business
despite its value to America True has large OUTLAWS
in capital buildings equipment and payroll but in is
not dedicated to making money alone
Even the people well directly the Amer
lean Negro it well appreciated it deserves Every
has heard the wsecrack that the ignorant and often
terate Negro who should know better refer dersive
the Back Dispatch the nickname used fire.
quenty to describe the Negro Press
As the years have by this deron has slowly changed
kidding reference intended be humorous which is mixed
with respect The growing intelligence the Negroes
realize than the upper class Negroes just what the Negro
has been able do for all Negroes and the total American
community we'll
Those who observant will that there would have
been successful NAACP know today without the
support of cruadng vgant and courageous Negro
When the daily papers practically ignoring the NAACP
their columns the Negro Press running columns
of material about its program and work.
The is true of the National Urban League and
Der of other important national groups who received their
vital support in the columns of the often poorly supported
Negro Press.
AS vital have been the organized churches in the life
the American Negro it has been the press which has helped
religion in the American Negro community Many
standing churchman clergyman ayman would have
un-noticed and unsung except for this press.
The American Negro important part of American in
dustry largely because it this Negro press that called
attention of industry the great neglected reservoir of Negro
workers whose skis and potential being used only
limited circumstances and roles which loss the nation
economy.
1t the Negro Press which first called the attention
organized labor before the advent of the CLIO to its ywht
policy which in designed defeat very purpos
of organization of workers and effective collective bargaining
The Negro Press braved the wrath of Big Business when d
this because recognized that IS cent of Americas Negro
One-tenh would remain workers for years to come
The Negro Press encouraged Negroes TO seek education
urged assumption of the basic community responsibilities
the practice of thrift the purchase Of homes the good upkee
of home block and area.
cOntended and still contends that there such thin
Negro crime pointed that crime among Negroes
caused by the circumstances which create crime
environment lack of opportunity for education, f
ganfu employment and the other Illustrations that spawn
criminal class plus the added handicap called color and
in the us.
Most of the Negro papers today in the nation fight
attempt to limit the Negro in his exercise of his constitutions
rights with the exception of few non-descrp sheets
tOady to the white maoys caprcous attitudes WIFI
the Negro should have have.
These also consider it part of their job crit
eze apses unavorabe conditions lacks in the Negro
munity They recognize that part of the task of securing
equality for the Negro that Negro himself is awa
of the need to be prepared for equality the complete