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Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - IX. Leadership and Concerted Action - 42. The Negro Press - 4. The Controls of the Negro Press
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Chapter 42. The Negro Press 921
Negro newspapers are one of the chief agencies for the Negro upper class
to spread its opinions among the lower classes of the Negro community.
In the Negro newspapers one can see displayed the dilemma of the
upper class which we have often commented upon. They react with even
more resentment than lower class Negroes against the humiliation of Jim
Crow segregation. However, the caste barriers serve partly as a protection
to give them special opportunities and status. They need to appeal to racial
solidarity to avert lower class hostility against themselves and to perfect
their economic and social monopolies. But they also must desire to stress
accomplishments and distinctions within the Negro community behind the
caste wall, and they want to have painted in the Negro press the pleasant-
ness of the life they enjoy. Frazier observes:
The Negro upper class, as we have remarked, has an essentially middle-class out-
look (that is, in the historic sense), but in their philosophy and behavior one finds
all forms of antiquated aristocratic attitudes toward work and expenditures as well
as a “sporting complex.” On the other hand, this class places great emphasis upon
success and conspicuous consumption. Because of their isolation, members of this
class overemphasize the importance of their position in the Negro world and speak
contemptuously of poor whites (who incidentally include public school teachers).
They exhibit an almost childish awe toward professional men, especially physicians.
The confusion in ideals and values is also vividly represented in Negro newspapers.
These news organs are intensely race conscious and exhibit considerable pride in the
achievements of the Negro, most of which are meager performances as measured by
broader standards. In addition to carrying a large number of advertisements of
products designed to conceal Negro characteristics, these papers constantly play up
the slightest recognition shown the Negro by whites. The confusion in ideologies
is shown in other respects. For example, a casual reader of the Afro-American might
get the impression that this newspaper is far to the “left” and espouses working
class ideals, but a regular reader would find that upon occasions it is likely to play up
the activities of Negro “society” or voice some reactionary religious or economic
ideal.-®
The upper class control of the Negro press gives it an essential con-
servatism, which only the casual white reader will not observe. The Negro
lower classes, however, are caught in the same dilemma. They have accepted
white values, even when they are brought to protest against white exclusion.
They thus take a vicarious satisfaction out of reading about Negro accom-
plishments and even about the conspicuous consumption of the Negro
upper classes. The lower classes also are radical only in the race question.
The upper class should not, therefore, be held entirely responsible for
the ideology of the Negro press. The lower classes also play a part in its
control, since they contain the bulk of potential readers. As the educational
level is raised and the circulation of Negro newspapers broadened, their
control can be expected to have increasing weight. In all political matters
which have a bearing upon the welfare of the poorer classes, the majority
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