The deaths of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel icons Eugene Kane and Greg Stanford (eerily in consecutive Aprils) may very well provide the opening paragraph in our African American history narrative focusing on the vital role of Black Advocacy journalism.
This under appreciated, but important chapter of Black history chronicles a unique element of the Civil Rights Movement, dating back to the Freedom’s Journal in 1827.
Members of this unique fraternity of “Old School” Black Journalists, filled an essential fourth estate void as instruments of social change and advocates for Black equality and empowerment.
Appropriately, they (we) didn’t enter the profession for fame or fortune, but instead to educate and inform.
Sadly, our membership has been dwindling steadily, not because our mission has been fulfilled, but more so as a result of socioeconomic factors, and the emergence of social media as a suspect alternative to honest dialogue and ethnically sensitive analysis.
It’s not a coincidence that as the corps of advocacy journalists has dwindled, the movement has stagnated, or has been taken over by special interests that call themselves “progressives.”
In fact, there are only three “Old School Black Journalists” left in the entire state of Wisconsin—Thomas Mitchell, editor of the Community Journal; James Causey, a columnist with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; and myself, the writer of the column you’re reading—and the elder spokesman.
That dispiriting reality should give pause to the civil rights community as well as the broader community whose racial views are tainted by propaganda and revisionist history.
Moreover, “Old School Black journalists” distinguish ourselves from mainstream contemporary journalists by the fact we offer another perspective, a view from the “field Negroes,” whose voices have been muted by design.
We also differ from other journalists of color in that we view ourselves as being fated and inspired to stand at the vanguard of the Civil Rights Movement.
Members of our fraternity dedicated ourselves to the mantra of the Black Press: “We wish to plead our own cause.”
Indeed, except for Eugene, who died last week at the young age of 63, our local fraternity was grounded in the Black Press.
Greg and James began their careers at local Black newspapers (James started his journalistic career at the Community Journal).
Ironically, I started mine at the old Milwaukee Sentinel as a teenager, learning among other things that our cause wasn’t just ignored; it was buried or misrepresented by propaganda merchants who used that paper to distort and sustain a system of American apartheid.
As fate would have it, each of us became columnists at our respective vehicles, focusing on Black issues and concerns.
Being a columnist not only provides individual freedom but autonomy of thought as well.
Our columns became weapons to expose, educate, and advocate.
While Tom and I threw rocks at the castle walls, our counterparts at the White/main-stream/majority media sought to operate from the inside.
Unlike other African American reporters, for whom writing was merely an occupation or vocation, we identified as “Black journalists,” proudly accepting the cultural implications that came with it. Which is not to diminish our hue-man colleagues at the White/mainstream/majority media. Their perspectives and vision, though seen through tinted cultural prisms, provided an important function.
But while their focus is on unbiased reporting, they often lobby management to present more features on Black life and our unique concerns.
Their roles often supplement the agenda of the Old Schoolers working for the Black Press, particularly at those mainst-ream/White/majority newspapers that view themselves as part of the status quo.
And let’s not forget the so-called progressive publications like the Shepherd Express which can’t seem to find “Black reporters,” but nonetheless feel comfortable dictating the Black agenda and “choosing” Black leadership.
In many respects, the Old Schoolers who work for the majority/mainstream/White press had it much harder than those of us working for the Black Press.
They also had to have thicker skin, if for no other reason than to shield themselves from the persistent onslaught of criticism from hostile readers.
They also frequently found (and still find at times) themselves at odds with newsroom policies and copy editors’ hidden agenda or personal biases
Over the years, both Greg and Eugene expressed frustration when their “straight news stories” were fated to conform to the paper’s agenda.
I recently provided James with an example that clearly illuminated that point.
Back in the 1980s, Greg and I covered the Ernie Lacy demonstrations for our respective newspapers.
Lacy was among the hundreds of Black men profiled and harassed by Milwaukee police for the rape of a young White woman near Marquette University.
Daring to question the police for stopping him as he left a northwest side grocery store, Lacy was subsequently killed (many Black folks called his death a murder by a racist police officer who used an illegal strangle/chokehold on him).
Lacy was innocent of the allegations, his only crime being his unwillingness to be profiled and harassed.
His death sparked citywide outrage and demonstrations that drew thousands to question police tactics and the dictatorial leadership of then Chief Harold Breier, who eventually was forced into retirement.
During one of the protest marches, Greg and I paused along Wisconsin Avenue to count the number of marchers, who included a plethora of organizations and ethnicities.
We also noted in our respective stories an effort by the police, led by Breier himself, to incite the marchers into a confrontation.
Clad in riot gear, police officers strong-armed their way through the marchers, pushing and shoving in a failed attempt to spark a confrontation they could blame on the marchers.
When the Journal story came out, however, there was no mention of Breier’s antics, and the estimated number of marchers had been cut in half.
When next I ran into Greg, he could only shake his head in frustration.
I could have, but didn’t, ask why he tolerated the affront, but it was apparent he viewed the scenario from the perspective of someone who weighed his frustration against the alternative. His column also allowed him to vent in ways that a straight news story could not.
Greg’s predicament and the hidden motivations of the Journal provided the spark that prompted sports writer/columnist Larry Bandy and me to incorporate the Wisconsin Black Media Association. Members eventually aligned the organization with the National Association of Black Journalist
Over the years, this organization has served as a watchdog of the White/majority/mainstream media, as well as an advocate for staff diversity and better representation of the Black community.
Early in our formative years, we had to fight WTMJ management, who tried to force Bill Taylor, another old schooler, to cut off his goatee. The rationale? Management felt it made him appear “too Black/militant.”
As dumb and condescending as that may seem, it was true.
I can foresee us challenging local station’s requirement that Black female reporters, particularly anchors, look as Eurocentric as possible.
If you notice, there are few dark-skinned sisters on the air. And most have weaves or wigs. If you viewed them through silhouette, you would assume they were all White.
Of course, I’m not too concerned about a sister’s outward appearance (all of the on-air sisters are talented and beautiful, which must be a prerequisite of their employment).
But as someone said to me recently, it’s gotten to the point where it’s hard to distinguish between him or her.
I long for the day when there’s a dark-skinned sister with an Afro or dreads on the air, a true reflection of diversity and African American culture. (I can’t wait to see Shannon Sims sporting a ‘Fro and hoop earrings.)
That point aside, the truth is there’s a significant difference between television journalists and print. And it isn’t restricted to appearance.
Television journalists aren’t allowed to editorialize or to interject their opinions. And that includes talk shows or panel discussions.
In fact, I was the last Black “journalist” allowed the freedom to offer opinions on issues and race during my 20 years as a pundit on, “Sunday Insight with Charlie Sykes.” I also provided weekly editorials for TMJ for a couple of years.
And, to be honest, I am still surprised at the autonomy I was given for my weekly commentaries. I was never told to rewrite an editorial, some of which drew the ire of viewers and advertisers.
In fact, on two occasions, the station was threatened with having some advertising withdrawn because of my commentaries. To my surprise, then-station manager Jim Prather told the advertisers where to go.
I seriously doubt if any other station would take that position today, if for no other reason than fear of losing dwindling revenues.
Except for Black-owned broadcast media, there is little room or opportunity for Old School Black journalists on commercial TV.
Few commercial stations provide opportunities for commentaries, much less editorialized reporting.
Local radio hasn’t utilized Black reporters since the hay-day of WAWA.
Which leaves print media as the “Lone Rangers.”
And the number of Old Schoolers in the limited slots of print media is going the way of payphones and 16-year-old virgins.
Imagine, in a city where people of color represent the majority, I am the only Black columnist left. In fact, I’m the only Black columnist in the entire state of Wisconsin since James assumed a new role at the Journal Sentinel.
What’s worse is that the Community Journal is the Black newspaper with editorial staff. Neither the Times or Courier feel the need or have that vital resource, leaving the traditional role of the Black Press to this publication.
We welcome the challenge, but in truth, it was a lot easier when we had more Old School Black Journalist shooting from around the corner.
Hotep
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