Journalism and Jim Crow: White Supremacy and the Black Struggle for a New America

Journalism and Jim Crow explores the role of the white press in constructing an anti-democratic society in the Jim Crow South, promoting lynching and convict labor, and disenfranchising Black voters. The Black press fought for a multiracial democracy of equality, justice, and opportunity, but it was a losing battle with tragic consequences for American democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2021
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

The American Historical Association's 2022 Eugenia M. Palmegiano Prize was awarded to a groundbreaking book titled "Journalism and Jim Crow: The Press as a Catalyst for Racial Terror in the South." In the aftermath of the Civil War, white publishers and editors in the South utilized their newspapers to consolidate, nurture, and safeguard white supremacy. Simultaneously, a resilient Black press emerged as a formidable force, determined to challenge these oppressive efforts and uphold the democratic principles upon which the United States was founded.

"Journalism and Jim Crow" delves into the profound impact of the press as a key political player in the emergence of the Jim Crow South. The contributors shed light on the pivotal role played by the white press in constructing an anti-democratic society by endorsing and facilitating not only lynchings and convict labor but also coordinated efforts of violence and fraud aimed at disenfranchising Black voters. They also examine the parallel struggle of the Black press for a multiracial democracy characterized by equality, justice, and opportunities for all, a valiant yet ultimately tragic endeavor that had profound consequences for the American experiment.

This book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the intricate interplay between journalism and power in American democracy. By exploring the historical context and mechanisms through which the press influenced public opinion and perpetuated racial discrimination, "Journalism and Jim Crow" provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shaped the nation's history. The contributions of the book's esteemed contributors, including Sid Bedingfield, Bryan Bowman, W. Fitzhugh Brundage, Kathy Roberts Forde, Robert Greene II, Kristin L. Gustafson, D. Weston Haywood, Blair LM Kelley, and Razvan Sibii, further enhance its significance and contribute to a deeper understanding of this critical period.

In conclusion, "Journalism and Jim Crow" is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the crucial role of the press in perpetuating racial injustice and inequality. Through its original and thought-provoking analysis, the book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past and provides a roadmap for addressing the ongoing challenges of journalism and power in contemporary society.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252044106