| Carter G. Woodson: History, the Black Press, and Public Relations Contributor(s): Morris, Burnis R. (Author) |
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ISBN: 149681407X ISBN-13: 9781496814074 Publisher: University Press of Mississippi OUR PRICE: $108.90 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: September 2017 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Social Science | Media Studies - History | United States - 20th Century |
| Dewey: B |
| LCCN: 2017010442 |
| Series: Race, Rhetoric, and Media |
| Physical Information: 0.63" H x 6" W x 9" (1.03 lbs) 202 pages |
| Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - African American - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This study reveals how historian Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) used the black press and modern public relations techniques to popularize black history during the first half of the twentieth century. Explanations for Woodson's success with the modern black history movement usually include his training, deep-rooted principles, and single-minded determination. Often overlooked, however, is Woodson's skillful use of newspapers in developing and executing a public education campaign built on truth, accuracy, fairness, and education. Burnis R. Morris explains how Woodson attracted mostly favorable news coverage for his history movement due to his deep understanding of the newspapers' business and editorial models as well as his public relations skills, which helped him merge the interests of the black press with his cause. Woodson's publicity tactics, combined with access to the audiences granted him by the press, enabled him to drive the black history movement--particularly observance of Negro History Week and fundraising activities. Morris analyzes Woodson's periodicals, newspaper articles, letters, and other archived documents describing Woodson's partnership with the black press and his role as a publicist. This rarely explored side of Woodson, who was often called the Father of Black History, reintroduces Woodson's lost image as a leading cultural icon who used his celebrity in multiple roles as an opinion journalist, newsmaker, and publicist of black history to bring veneration to a disrespected subject. During his active professional career, 1915-1950, Woodson merged his interests and the interests of the black newspapers. His cause became their cause. |
Contributor Bio(s): Morris, Burnis R.: - Burnis R. Morris, Huntington, West Virginia, is the Carter G. Woodson Professor in Marshall University's W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, where he has taught courses in reporting, editing, diversity, mass media history, and public relations. He also created and directed for more than a decade the Fourth Estate and the Third Sector, a national training program for journalists who cover tax-exempt organizations and philanthropy. |