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'''''Freedom's Journal''''' was the first [[African American]] owned and operated [[newspaper]] published in the [[United States]]. Published weekly in [[New York City]] from 16 March 1827 to 28 March 1829, the journal was edited by [[John Russwurm]] and co-editor, [[Samuel Cornish]] who contributed only through the 14 September 1827 issue. Freedom's Journal was superseded by ''[[The Rights of All]]'', published between 1829 and 1830 by Cornish.
'''''Freedom's Journal''''' was the first [[African American]] owned and operated [[newspaper]] published in the [[United States]]. Published weekly in [[New York City]] from 16 March 1827 to 28 March 1829, the journal was edited by [[John Russwurm]] and co-editor, [[Samuel Cornish]] who contributed only through the 14 September 1827 issue. Freedom's Journal was superseded by ''[[The Rights of All]]'', published between 1829 and 1830 by Cornish.


Though they lived different lives and careers, Cornish who was the first to establish an African-American Presbyterian and Russwurm who was a member of the Haytian Emigration Society came together as the original editors of ''Freedom's Journal''. According to African American journalist, Garland Penn, Cornish and Russwurm’s objective with ''Freedom's Journal'' was to go up against other local newspapers published in New York City that attacked African-Americans and encouraged slavery. <ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p. 43-45.</ref> For example, [[Mordecai Noah]] was an African-American hater who wrote articles that degraded African-Americans; however, Noah was not the only journalist who wrote these kinds of articles and other editors that published newspapers in New York City also wrote articles that mocked blacks and supported slavery. <ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.38-39.</ref>
Though they lived different lives and careers, Cornish who was the first to establish an African-American Presbyterian and Russwurm who was a member of the Haytian Emigration Society came together as the original editors of ''Freedom's Journal''. According to African American journalist, Garland Penn, Cornish and Russwurm’s objective with ''Freedom's Journal'' was to go up against other local newspapers published in New York City that attacked African-Americans and encouraged slavery.<ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p. 43-45.</ref> For example, [[Mordecai Noah]] was an African-American hater who wrote articles that degraded African-Americans; however, Noah was not the only journalist who wrote these kinds of articles and other editors that published newspapers in New York City also wrote articles that mocked blacks and supported slavery.<ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.38-39.</ref>


The [[Abolitionist]] press focused their attention mainly on [[paternalism]] as well as relying on racist stereotypes. They usually portrayed slaves as children who relied heavily on the support of whites in order to survive or as ignorant fools who were happy with their status as slaves and who did not even want freedom. They also depicted African-Americans as inferior beings that threatened the white society and who did not know how to behave properly in society nor how to be good citizens of the United States.<ref>Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” ''Critical Studies in Mass Communication.'' Routlegde, 1993, p. 186. </ref>
The [[Abolitionist]] press focused their attention mainly on [[paternalism]] as well as relying on racist stereotypes. They usually portrayed slaves as children who relied heavily on the support of whites in order to survive or as ignorant fools who were happy with their status as slaves and who did not even want freedom. They also depicted African-Americans as inferior beings that threatened the white society and who did not know how to behave properly in society nor how to be good citizens of the United States.<ref>Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” ''Critical Studies in Mass Communication.'' Routlegde, 1993, p. 186.</ref>


The editors Cornish and Russwurn used Freedom’s Journal to oppose the other racist newspapers in New York City and in order to publicly protest their current treatment. They believed that these mass accounts inaccurately represented blacks in New York City and that their newspaper would be a response to the mass newspapers in NYC that distorted African-Americans. People were ignorant of the truth and they thought ''Freedom's Journal'' might change the perception of Black’s in society. <ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.41-43s.</ref> Cornish and Russwurm argued in the first issue of the freedom journal that, “Too long have others spoken for us, too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations….” <ref>Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” ''Critical Studies in Mass Communication.'' Routlegde, 1993, p. 187. </ref>
The editors Cornish and Russwurn used Freedom’s Journal to oppose the other racist newspapers in New York City and in order to publicly protest their current treatment. They believed that these mass accounts inaccurately represented blacks in New York City and that their newspaper would be a response to the mass newspapers in NYC that distorted African-Americans. People were ignorant of the truth and they thought ''Freedom's Journal'' might change the perception of Black’s in society.<ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.41-43s.</ref> Cornish and Russwurm argued in the first issue of the freedom journal that, “Too long have others spoken for us, too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations….” <ref>Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” ''Critical Studies in Mass Communication.'' Routlegde, 1993, p. 187.</ref>


However, Cornish and Russwurm’s objective for ''Freedom's Journal'' did not only concern racism against African-Americans but also involved the autonomy and identity of African-Americans in society. <ref> Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.43.</ref> They wanted to strengthen the bonds in the small African-American communities and wanted African-Americans to be conscious of their position in the white society. <ref>Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” ''Critical Studies in Mass Communication.'' Routlegde, 1993, p. 187. </ref> “We deem it expedient to establish a paper,” they remarked, “and bring into operation all the means with which out benevolent creator has endowed us, for the moral, religious, civil and literary improvement of our race….”<ref> Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.42.</ref>
However, Cornish and Russwurm’s objective for ''Freedom's Journal'' did not only concern racism against African-Americans but also involved the autonomy and identity of African-Americans in society.<ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.43.</ref> They wanted to strengthen the bonds in the small African-American communities and wanted African-Americans to be conscious of their position in the white society.<ref>Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” ''Critical Studies in Mass Communication.'' Routlegde, 1993, p. 187.</ref> “We deem it expedient to establish a paper,” they remarked, “and bring into operation all the means with which out benevolent creator has endowed us, for the moral, religious, civil and literary improvement of our race….”<ref>Bacon, Jacqueline. ''The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal.'' Lexington Books, 2007, p.42.</ref>


''Freedom's Journal'' provided international, national, and regional information on current - events and contained editorials declaiming [[slavery]], [[lynching]], and other injustices. The ''Journal'' also published biographies of prominent African Americans and listings of births, deaths, and marriages in the African American community in New York. ''Freedom's Journal'' circulated in 11 states, the [[District of Columbia]], [[Haiti]], [[Europe]], and [[Canada]]. Freedom's Journal had many articles on information such as world wide news, and many job listings, and announcements on housing, weddings, and funerals. This helped blacks become more aware of the world.
''Freedom's Journal'' provided international, national, and regional information on current - events and contained editorials declaiming [[slavery]], [[lynching]], and other injustices. The ''Journal'' also published biographies of prominent African Americans and listings of births, deaths, and marriages in the African American community in New York. ''Freedom's Journal'' circulated in 11 states, the [[District of Columbia]], [[Haiti]], [[Europe]], and [[Canada]]. Freedom's Journal had many articles on information such as world wide news, and many job listings, and announcements on housing, weddings, and funerals. This helped blacks become more aware of the world.
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{aaregistry|755|''Freedoms's Journal''}}
* {{aaregistry|755|''Freedoms's Journal''}}

{{AfricanAmerican-stub}}


[[Category:1829 disestablishments]]
[[Category:1829 disestablishments]]

Revision as of 20:52, 24 April 2011

Freedom's Journal
Volume 1, no.3, 23 March 1827
TypeWeekly newspaper
FormatTabloid
Owner(s)John Russwurm
Samuel Cornish
PublisherCornish & Russwurm
EditorJohn B. Russwurm
Samuel Cornish
Founded16 March 1827
LanguageTransclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.
Ceased publication28 March 1829
HeadquartersNew York City
OCLC number1570144

Freedom's Journal was the first African American owned and operated newspaper published in the United States. Published weekly in New York City from 16 March 1827 to 28 March 1829, the journal was edited by John Russwurm and co-editor, Samuel Cornish who contributed only through the 14 September 1827 issue. Freedom's Journal was superseded by The Rights of All, published between 1829 and 1830 by Cornish.

Though they lived different lives and careers, Cornish who was the first to establish an African-American Presbyterian and Russwurm who was a member of the Haytian Emigration Society came together as the original editors of Freedom's Journal. According to African American journalist, Garland Penn, Cornish and Russwurm’s objective with Freedom's Journal was to go up against other local newspapers published in New York City that attacked African-Americans and encouraged slavery.[1] For example, Mordecai Noah was an African-American hater who wrote articles that degraded African-Americans; however, Noah was not the only journalist who wrote these kinds of articles and other editors that published newspapers in New York City also wrote articles that mocked blacks and supported slavery.[2]

The Abolitionist press focused their attention mainly on paternalism as well as relying on racist stereotypes. They usually portrayed slaves as children who relied heavily on the support of whites in order to survive or as ignorant fools who were happy with their status as slaves and who did not even want freedom. They also depicted African-Americans as inferior beings that threatened the white society and who did not know how to behave properly in society nor how to be good citizens of the United States.[3]

The editors Cornish and Russwurn used Freedom’s Journal to oppose the other racist newspapers in New York City and in order to publicly protest their current treatment. They believed that these mass accounts inaccurately represented blacks in New York City and that their newspaper would be a response to the mass newspapers in NYC that distorted African-Americans. People were ignorant of the truth and they thought Freedom's Journal might change the perception of Black’s in society.[4] Cornish and Russwurm argued in the first issue of the freedom journal that, “Too long have others spoken for us, too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations….” [5]

However, Cornish and Russwurm’s objective for Freedom's Journal did not only concern racism against African-Americans but also involved the autonomy and identity of African-Americans in society.[6] They wanted to strengthen the bonds in the small African-American communities and wanted African-Americans to be conscious of their position in the white society.[7] “We deem it expedient to establish a paper,” they remarked, “and bring into operation all the means with which out benevolent creator has endowed us, for the moral, religious, civil and literary improvement of our race….”[8]

Freedom's Journal provided international, national, and regional information on current - events and contained editorials declaiming slavery, lynching, and other injustices. The Journal also published biographies of prominent African Americans and listings of births, deaths, and marriages in the African American community in New York. Freedom's Journal circulated in 11 states, the District of Columbia, Haiti, Europe, and Canada. Freedom's Journal had many articles on information such as world wide news, and many job listings, and announcements on housing, weddings, and funerals. This helped blacks become more aware of the world.

The newspaper employed subscription agents such as David Walker, who in 1829 published the first of four articles that called for rebellion. The pamphlet "Walker's Appeal" stated, "...it is no more harm for you to kill the man who is trying to kill you than it is for you to take a drink of water..." This statement was widely read, with Walker distributing copies of his pamphlet into the Southern United States, where it was widely banned.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bacon, Jacqueline. The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal. Lexington Books, 2007, p. 43-45.
  2. ^ Bacon, Jacqueline. The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal. Lexington Books, 2007, p.38-39.
  3. ^ Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” Critical Studies in Mass Communication. Routlegde, 1993, p. 186.
  4. ^ Bacon, Jacqueline. The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal. Lexington Books, 2007, p.41-43s.
  5. ^ Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” Critical Studies in Mass Communication. Routlegde, 1993, p. 187.
  6. ^ Bacon, Jacqueline. The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal. Lexington Books, 2007, p.43.
  7. ^ Rhodes, Jane. “The Visibility of Race and Media History.” Critical Studies in Mass Communication. Routlegde, 1993, p. 187.
  8. ^ Bacon, Jacqueline. The First African-American Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal. Lexington Books, 2007, p.42.
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