CHAPTER VIIINEGRO MAGAZINES
Early Magazines
The magazine field has not been entered as rapidly or as fully by the Negro journalist as the newspaper field. The first Negro magazine, nevertheless, early followed the beginning made by the first Negro newspaper. In 1837, the first magazine—The Mirror of Liberty—was published by David Ruggles. It was devoted to the advancement of the free Negroes in the North, and was issued quarterly from New York City.
Anglo-African Magazine
The next serious attempt to publish a Negro magazine was in 1856, when Thomas Hamilton, of New York City, issuedThe Anglo-African Magazine, which was the outgrowth of his newspaper, The Anglo-African. It was devoted to literature, science, statistics and contained articles on the abolition of slavery. It existed for about four years.
A. M. E. Review Oldest Magazine
The oldest Negro magazine, like the oldest newspaper, was established by the A. M. E. Church. In 1884, that denomination began the publishing ofThe A. M. E. Reviewin Baltimore, Md. Today it still exists and is published in Philadelphia, Pa.
Our Women and Children
Another noteworthy periodical isOur Women and Children, first published in 1888, by Dr. William J. Simmons. It was unique in that it practically confined itself to the feminine world. Its contributors were chiefly women and the articles which appeared on its pages concerned themselves primarily with questions which affected home-life.
Over 100 Magazines in Existence
Many other Negro magazines have been attempted; many of more or less note, but of the magazines established prior to 1900, scarcely a one, if any, are in existence today. Of the leading present day magazines, none can boast of as long a period of publication as the present day newspapers. At present about one hundred magazines are being published by Negroes. However, this number includes school periodicals, church organs and fraternal organs, and only a small fraction of the total number are purely literary or secular publications.
The Crisis Edited by Dr. DuBois
Among the foremost Negro magazines of general literature isThe Crisis, published at New York City, under the editorship of Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, perhaps the leading literary figure among the race today. While the publication is the official organ of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, it contains short stories, essays, sketches and poetry of a high literary quality.
Special Educational Number
A special feature ofThe Crisisis the emphasis it places on higher education. Each July it publishes an educational number containing the photographs of Negro college graduates from white Northern institutions during the past school year. The issue also contains a resume of the educational progress of the year.
The Messenger, a Journal of Social Science
The Messenger, published in New York City by Phillip Randolph and Chandler Owen, is devoted to economic, political and sociological subject-matter, with special emphasis upon the Negro and his relation to the labor problem. The tremendous influence of this magazine, devoted as it is to such a special field, is clearly shown by the fact that at present it has a circulation of over 26,000.
A Magazine Devoted to Music and Sports
Another magazine which confines itself to a limited field isThe American Musician and Sportsman Magazine. This publication is printed in Philadelphia, Pa., by William A. Potter, editor. It is intended to afford opportunity for the expression of opinion on things musical, and in addition to its emphasis on music it deals with all branches of professional and amateur sports. The magazine has a circulation of 5500.
Journal of Negro History
One of the most scholarly periodicals published by Negroes isThe Journal of Negro Historyedited by Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D., at Washington, D. C. The publication treats in a thorough-going and detailed manner the history of the Negro race.
Brownies’ Book for Negro Youth
The Brownies’ Book, a magazine devoted to the activities of the Negro youth, is also published in New York City and has at its head Dr. DuBois and Augustus Dill. It contains stories, the life and deeds of famous men and women of the Negro race, and current events of the world told in language suitable for children. In a similar manner toThe Crisis, it features the photographs of Negro high school graduates.
Featured Negro Short Stories
Two magazines of national importance and published in Chicago, Ill., areThe Half-Century, edited by Katherine Williams Irmin andThe Favorite, edited by Fenton Johnson. Both of these periodicals feature literary material and short stories dealing with Negro life.
The Radiator
Another periodical dealing with a special field isThe Radiator, a bi-monthly insurance magazine, edited by Sadie T. Mossell at Durham, N. C. Its purpose is to disseminate news and information to Negro insurance companies and workers.
Leading Present Day Magazines
Other magazines published at the present time are:The Journal of the National Medical Association, issued quarterly by the National Medical Association at Tuskegee Institute, Ala.;The Pullman Porter’s Review, Chicago, Ill.;The Search Light, Raleigh, N. C.;The Rainbow, New York City, andThe Crusader, New York City.