Once Upon a Time in the Black Press...
In honor of Black Press Day, here is an article that appeared in the September 1966 edition of Negro Digest later known as Black World.
The Setup: A Word About the Black Press on Black Press Day
With 1966 being only a few decades ago, it should come as no surprise that the issues and themes investigated by the Black Press at that time are relevant today. The problem, however, is that the Black Press of yesterday is not the Black Press of today. For one thing, what even qualifies as the Black Press today? Everything is so decentralized, which is perhaps the most detrimental because there are not any standout sources. Please do not mention the Grio or other sources like it because those platforms disproportionately focus on entertainment and not exactly quality investigative journalism, in-depth social commentary, and scholarly opinions.
This absence of quality Black journalism and publications leave a tremendous void in the management and control of our narrative. More specifically, the ability to speak truth to power through our own platforms has disintegrated. Add the most recent firings of Black journalists such as Joy Reid and the seemingly never-ending targeting of Nikole Hannah Jones and the 1619 Project, then it becomes painfully clear that we are in need of a Black Press with the same level of audacity from previous decades so that Black journalists like them can have a home and an uncensored voice.
Contrary to popular belief, print publications still have a place in this seemingly virtual world. I recall a time when the publishing industry, bookstores, and book lovers thought the internet was going to make books obsolete. Not only was that erroneous, books are flourishing even more with the advent of technological advancements like ebooks and audiobooks. Because of the impact of indie publishing, print bound books are still easily accessible as well. Therefore, print editions of Black publications can still thrive and they are just as necessary in these present times.
The Prescription Against Racial Disaster by Joseph E. Fasciani (Negro Digest, September 1966)
Clearly, the issues addressed in this essay by a white activist from this time period sound ridiculously familiar as he mentions the impact of technology and this society’s consumerist culture as ingredients for the deterioration of the society as a whole. But most importantly, Joseph E. Fasciani is clear that a complete disregard of the unique historic reality of African Americans and (read: Negro — this was the common reference in the 1960s) and the overt attempt to generally assimilate them into a capitalist culture girded with Eurocentric values will be a surefire racial disaster. Any student or lover of history will state emphatically that all things current has its roots in past events and shananigans. As you read these pages below, think about how much of his commentary roots us in the present day and what does that say about progress in this society if these issues are still prevalent?
Note: I know these pages may be hard to read because of the small print, however, I hope you are using a device that lets you zoom in.
Chandra Kamaria is a writer, educator, public scholar and entrepreneur. To support her work, consider becoming a paid subscriber to The Literary Lightworker. You may also contribute by clicking this link: BuyMeACoffee