Date: Feature Week of April 13, 2003
Topic: Black Press Business/Economic
Author: William Reed
Article ID: article_ema041303a

WHETHER BLACK OR WHITE THEY ARE READ ALL OVER
Are Black Newspapers A Form Of Reverse Discrimination?

Which of the following quotes impacts on your life the most?

"Newspapers brought (Americans) together, and the newspaper is still necessary to keep them unite,� by Alexis de Tocqueville; or, the Rev. Al Sharpton�s words that �The Black Press needs to continue to advocate strongly for African-Americans.�

Few Americans would disagree with Alexis de Tocqueville�s 18th century claim that newspapers were, and are, the driving force behind the American democratic ideal. From different perspectives, both Sharpton and de Tocqueville would agree that from the 1800s to now, American newspapers have chronicled the country's great victories and defeats and the comings and goings of everyday life in communities of every size and location. Mirrors of our various cultures, American newspapers reflect Americans� attitudes and prejudices, expectations and disappointments, and celebrations and sad moments.

But because de Tocqueville�s acclaimed mainstream, white-controlled press was so derogatory to African Americans during the time, publishers of Freedom's Journal, the country's first black newspaper, decided they �Wished to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us�. When it started in 1827, Freedom�s Journal masthead stated that it was �devoted to the improvement of the colored population.�

Few African Americans would say that mainstream media �pleads the case� of Black Americans. But nowadays, many Americans, Black and white, are accusing Black media mediums of being racist; insisting they represent �reverse discrimination.� Although history shows it to be more fiction than fact, the prevailing theme in America today is that Blacks should not segregate themselves by means of newspapers, news, magazines or television, as this encourages racism and discrimination.

The truth of the matter is that American society is still discriminatory and Black newspapers are as much of a vital voice among African Americans as ever. �You have to tell the truth,� Sharpton once told the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). �If we have to wait for Mike Wallace to tell our story it�ll never be told. And if you are afraid of Mike Wallace, what purpose do you serve?�

Black news mediums don't teach or encourage hate towards other groups; they cover Black issues mainstream mediums do not. Like the quote, �A mind is a terrible thing to waste,� reading mainstream mediums can pollute Black minds against themselves. Mainstream mediums mainly focus on white American issues, and give no depth to African-American issues. For Blacks to be informed about issues that affect us, we need our own news mediums. For over 175 years, Black newspapers have been about our issues and culture. Since the time of Freedom�s Journal, Black newspapers have been read all over African American communities helping to broadened readers' knowledge of the world and exclusively publishing school, job and housing listings and their births, deaths and wedding announcements.

The problem is that too many people in the nation�s free market economic food chain want to disallow the Black Press. Even African Americans in pivotal positions can�t be counted on to read, or champion the cause of the Black Press. Often, Blacks in mainstream jobs, communities and mindset skirt the cause and crusades of the Black Press, to which Sharpton points out that, �There are many Blacks with King�s picture on one wall, Malcolm�s on the other; and not doing what either has done�.

White institutions, their officials, whether Black or white, advertisers and traditional news mediums ignore Black newspaper publications and the people they serve. The sooner they realize that Black publishers, along with local ministers, are the mobilization and informational leaders in a $400 billion Black Nation that is the 9th largest consumer community in the world, the sooner we�ll all get along better.

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© 2000-2003 William Reed - www.BlackPressInternational.com