NEGRO MAGAZINES
[Sidenote: EARLY MAGAZINES]
The magazine field has not been entered as rapidly or as fully by the
Negro journalist as the newspaper field. The first Negro magazine,
nevertheless, early followed the beginning made by the first Negro
newspaper. In 1837, the first magazine—_The Mirror of Liberty_—was
published by David Ruggles. It was devoted to the advancement of the free
Negroes in the North, and was issued quarterly from New York City.
[Sidenote: ANGLO-AFRICAN MAGAZINE]
The next serious attempt to publish a Negro magazine was in 1856, when
Thomas Hamilton, of New York City, issued _The Anglo-African Magazine_,
which was the outgrowth of his newspaper, The Anglo-African. It was
devoted to literature, science, statistics and contained articles on the
abolition of slavery. It existed for about four years.
[Sidenote: A. M. E. REVIEW OLDEST MAGAZINE]
The oldest Negro magazine, like the oldest newspaper, was established
by the A. M. E. Church. In 1884, that denomination began the publishing
of _The A. M. E. Review_ in Baltimore, Md. Today it still exists and is
published in Philadelphia, Pa.
[Sidenote: OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN]
Another noteworthy periodical is _Our Women and Children_, first
published in 1888, by Dr. William J. Simmons. It was unique in that it
practically confined itself to the feminine world. Its contributors were
chiefly women and the articles which appeared on its pages concerned
themselves primarily with questions which affected home-life.
[Sidenote: OVER 100 MAGAZINES IN EXISTENCE]
Many other Negro magazines have been attempted; many of more or less
note, but of the magazines established prior to 1900, scarcely a one,
if any, are in existence today. Of the leading present day magazines,
none can boast of as long a period of publication as the present day
newspapers. At present about one hundred magazines are being published by
Negroes. However, this number includes school periodicals, church organs
and fraternal organs, and only a small fraction of the total number are
purely literary or secular publications.
[Sidenote: THE CRISIS EDITED BY DR. DUBOIS]
Among the foremost Negro magazines of general literature is _The Crisis_,
published at New York City, under the editorship of Dr. W. E. B. DuBois,
perhaps the leading literary figure among the race today. While the
publication is the official organ of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People, it contains short stories, essays,
sketches and poetry of a high literary quality.
[Sidenote: SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NUMBER]
A special feature of _The Crisis_ is the emphasis it places on higher
education. Each July it publishes an educational number containing the
photographs of Negro college graduates from white Northern institutions
during the past school year. The issue also contains a resume of the
educational progress of the year.
[Sidenote: THE MESSENGER, A JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE]
_The Messenger_, published in New York City by Phillip Randolph and
Chandler Owen, is devoted to economic, political and sociological
subject-matter, with special emphasis upon the Negro and his relation to
the labor problem. The tremendous influence of this magazine, devoted
as it is to such a special field, is clearly shown by the fact that at
present it has a circulation of over 26,000.
[Sidenote: A MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO MUSIC AND SPORTS]
Another magazine which confines itself to a limited field is _The
American Musician and Sportsman Magazine_. This publication is printed
in Philadelphia, Pa., by William A. Potter, editor. It is intended to
afford opportunity for the expression of opinion on things musical,
and in addition to its emphasis on music it deals with all branches of
professional and amateur sports. The magazine has a circulation of 5500.
[Sidenote: JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY]
One of the most scholarly periodicals published by Negroes is _The
Journal of Negro History_ edited by Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D., at
Washington, D. C. The publication treats in a thorough-going and detailed
manner the history of the Negro race.
[Sidenote: BROWNIES’ BOOK FOR NEGRO YOUTH]
_The Brownies’ Book_, a magazine devoted to the activities of the Negro
youth, is also published in New York City and has at its head Dr. DuBois
and Augustus Dill. It contains stories, the life and deeds of famous men
and women of the Negro race, and current events of the world told in
language suitable for children. In a similar manner to _The Crisis_, it
features the photographs of Negro high school graduates.
[Sidenote: FEATURED NEGRO SHORT STORIES]
Two magazines of national importance and published in Chicago, Ill.,
are _The Half-Century_, edited by Katherine Williams Irmin and _The
Favorite_, edited by Fenton Johnson. Both of these periodicals feature
literary material and short stories dealing with Negro life.
[Sidenote: THE RADIATOR]
Another periodical dealing with a special field is _The Radiator_, a
bi-monthly insurance magazine, edited by Sadie T. Mossell at Durham, N.
C. Its purpose is to disseminate news and information to Negro insurance
companies and workers.
[Sidenote: LEADING PRESENT DAY MAGAZINES]
Other magazines published at the present time are: _The Journal of the
National Medical Association_, issued quarterly by the National Medical
Association at Tuskegee Institute, Ala.; _The Pullman Porter’s Review_,
Chicago, Ill.; _The Search Light_, Raleigh, N. C.; _The Rainbow_, New
York City, and _The Crusader_, New York City.