How Significant Historical Events Affected African Americans in the Magazine Industry

Propaganda and Aesthetics: The Literary Politics of Afro-American Magazines in the Twentieth Century by Abby Arthur Johnson and Ronald Maberry Johnson explains how Afro-American magazines paved the way for black writers since the early 1900s. Magazines such as Voice of the Negro and Horizon gave black writers a place to be published where they could provide insight to readers in ways that they had not been able to do before. These magazines began with a focus on political and social issues, which eventually led to the creation of black literature. Six chapters tell the saga of American history, while Afro-American writers were focusing on issues that were important to them. American history along with the history of African American magazines showed that these magazines are now historical documents in their own right.

Throughout the book, historical context is taken into consideration, with more emphasis given to significant issues. Historical information from the late 19th century sets the tone early in the novel and helps to understand and explain what was happening when Afro-American magazines were an upcoming phenomenon. The authors show how magazines were used to address the cultural attitudes and helped give a voice to those attitudes. They discuss the "function of black art" and whether this was racial propaganda or art with no racial bias. Publications change over time, from Voice of the Negro to magazines such as Crisis and Messenger that reflected the Harlem Renaissance. Themes changed to reflect Depression-era problems. A number of small magazines and special issues chronicled concerns for blacks through the early 1970s. Over the past century the names of the magazines changed but the focus and issues important to blacks always remained the same.

The Afro-American magazines that addressed issues from the 1900s to 1976 are important to American history and should be considered historical documents on their own. It was interesting to read about the evolution of African American magazines and publications and how they fit into the American history timeline. As a whole, Afro-American magazines can be accepted at face value because they provide insight into a segment of society that has not had much of a voice over the years. The ideas of these magazines are interesting; and, while one may not believe every word in every story, it enhances the understanding of life for blacks in the 1900s.

Propaganda and Aesthetics provides immense detail on how past publications have evolved to address issues for blacks. The book is divided into six chapters that discuss different topics in a chronological order. The chronicle is told mostly through quotes from significant writers, poets, editors, and important African Americans. This creates a very well-researched novel in which historical information was taken into account. The information provided through quotes, instead of through the authors directly adds depth for the reader. The quotes help explain the time period, changes made to publications, and the significant events facing blacks. The long quotes and continuous name dropping in a single sentence causes the reader difficulty in deciphering who is receiving the attribution.

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