"The Morning Cometh": African-American Periodicals, Education, and the Black Middle Class, 1900-1930

摘要: It is not known whether J. Max Barber, editor and guiding spirit of the Voice Negro, ever read "Shall Wheels Race Agitation Be Stopped?" an article written by John Mitchell, Jr., published in Colored American Magazine September 1902. By repeatedly answering his own rhetorical question, well-known well-regarded Richmond Planet, a black weekly newspaper, sought to emphasize dual responsibility African-Americans maintain abiding vigilance against both perils racism discrimination efforts silence their protests. "The watchman must wait upon wall until night oppression shall have passed," Mitchell declared. "I never lost faith my people. They been hampered poverty blinded ignorance, but - day now breaking . morning cometh."(1) This last phrase, Morning Cometh," was title Barber's editorial inaugural issue Negro January 1904. In brief, self-congratulatory essay, Barber wrote that, "To casual observer there nothing new launching magazine; philosopher history, him who reader signs times it means much. that culture taking deep hold our indication people are becoming educated, reading people, thing which be proud." He added, we hail with delight opportunity help run magazine stand as vanguard higher literature. We want make force race elevation. more than mere magazine. expect current sociological history so accurately given vividly portrayed will become kind documentation for coming generations. The cometh.(2) intent this study take advantage foresight: survey explicate major educational issues themes only also eight other monthly periodicals between 1900 1930. Together, these nine magazines provide primary data examination African-American intellectual social presenting chorus voices, which, discussing interpreting day, up rich yet, unfortunately seldom acknowledged heritage penetrating analysis thoughtful discussion. But important clear about nature "voices." As I discuss, argument drives examination, opinions projected were articulated largely numerically small, socially influential middle-class professional group into around turn century. Through migration, urbanization, subsequent occupational differentiation, years 1890-1920 saw development African enclaves economic leadership groups communities throughout nation. particular, resulting from creation mass urban markets availability job opportunities, base supporting class structure shifted middle arose, supplanting "Old Settlers" especially Northern communities. distinct older upper several ways, most notably terms racial philosophies orientation toward community. Among attributes, they decidedly conscious, forcefully advocated self-help, character-building, uplift, patronage solidarity.(3) journals reviewed form subset press United States, like newspapers, established demonstrate race's capabilities disseminate point view. …