Newspaper Page Text
Campus Mirror
Published During the College Year by the Students of Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia
VOL. XIX MARCH, 1943 NO. 6
James R. Young Speaks in
Howe Memorial Hall
On Friday, March 12, Mr. James R. Young,
former Tokyo correspondent of the Interna
tional News Service, spoke on Japan in
Howe Memorial Hall. He told of the German
control in Japan, stating that there are a
hundred and twenty German health and
military advisors there and that Japan has
had a perfect military system for seventy
years. He made mention of the Marshall
and Caroline Islands in the South Pacific
iver which Japan gained control through the
League of Nations and pointed out that
from 1931 to 1940 two and one-half million
dollars were spent per year for the fortifica
tion of these Islands by Japan.
Mr. Young has met personally most of the
generals and admirals who are today direct
ing the war from the Japanese side; he has
traveled over the terrain where the fighting
is done; hut most important of all he knows
the strength and weaknesses of the Japanese
people. He knows well the Japanese and
the problems \meriea and her \llies face
in the Pacific.
When Mr. Young wound up a vigorous
life of thirteen years in the Orient, it was
upon the "request of the Japanese govern
ment. I his suggestion followed sixtv-one
days in a Tokyo jail, where he was held in-
(Continued on Page fit
The Negro Press
Negro Press Week, nationally observed
from February 28 - March 6, in recognition
of the 116 years of existence of the Negro
press within the l nited States, was reviewed
and adequate tribute paid.
The first Negro newspaper to be published
in the United States was “Freedom's Jour
nal,” issued at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1927,
by John B. Russwurm and Samuel Cornish
in an attempt to promote the emancipation
of the Negro. Shortly afterwards, it was
moved to New York City where it was pub
lished at irregular intervals. Seven years
later the name of the paper was changed to
“Rights of All.” In appearance, the paper
resembled such old publications as the
"Spectator.” The purpose of this paper and
the 23 other Negro publications that were
established by 1860, was to line up sentiment
in favor of abolition. These papers included
the opinions of many highly educated
Negroes.
,4s the abolitionists came nearer to their
goal, few^er Negro papers appeared, and no
great outcry was heard from the Negro press
until the period between 1863 and 1890.
Of the twenty-four periodicals started be
fore 1860 only one, “The Christian Herald,”
was sponsored by the church. It remains as
the "Christian Recorder” and is the oldest
Negro paper within the United States. Wil
liam Jefferson White, father of Claudia White
Harreld (Spelman) with Mr. John Shepherd,
established the first Negro newspaper in the
South, and in 1880. Mr. White founded the
"Georgia Baptist. Ibis second oldest Negro
paper in the United States to continue pub
lication is still being published in Atlanta.
I he late Dr. D. D. Crawford was long its
editor; its present editor is Rev. Roland
Smith.
The oldest secular Negro paper in exig
ence is the “Washington Bee" which first
appeared in 1879. It initiated a new type
of journalism, the current news. Some space
was devoted to Negro history, and the \rneri-
ean Negro became more conscious and proud
of his history and heritage. By 1880, there
were 31 Negro newspapers in existence.
Many of these, like the “New York Age.
edited by I'homas Fortune, had editors of
great promise.
By 1900, various developments within the
South had brought about much racial ten
sion, and the Negro newspaper began an in
tense fight against discrimination and the
equal rights of Negroes. Good Negro writers
such as W. E. B. DuBois and William
Pickens, w r ere conscripted in this fight for
equality. The most militant publications of
the time were the “Guardian” in Boston;
the "Crisis,” established in 1910 as the or
gan of the National Association for the Ad
vancement of Colored People; The “Mes
senger," and the “Chicago Defender,” started
in 1905 by Robert S. Abbot. In 1917 the
Negro press continued its agitation for the
rights of Negroes.
In the 1920's and 1930's, many Negro
papers, such as the “Amsterdam News,”
"New York Age, “Pittsburgh Courier."
"Afro-American." “Philadelphia Tribune,”
determined to better the appearance and the
content of their papers. The interest of
young Negro journalists from universities
was enlisted. Ibis new group of writers
expanded the content of the papers so that
international news was included. This ex
pansion brought increasing attention from
the white newspapers which had discouraged
the attempts of the Negro press in order t<>
better its condition and conditions <if Ne
groes. In 1928, W . \. Scott, a graduate of
Morehouse College, founded and published
the \tlanta Daily World, the nation s onl\
colored daily newspaper.
In the hundred and sixteen years ,,f it,,
i (Continued on Page 5)