Usually, I’m not a documentary person. I tend to have a short attention span for long films like these. Yet, after watching one documentary in my history class, I was amazed and wanted to learn more about something that’s not as discussed: journalism. Written by Stanley Nelson in 1998, this documentary, “Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords” talked about the significance of newspapers and journalism for African Americans during the period of racism and inequality in the 19th century. It was interesting to learn about African American’s responses to their racial mistreatment from the communities. It also focuses on how the first Black Newspaper called The Freedom’s Journal, set a foundation for inspiration and hope for the African Americans as they finally had a voice. The documentary brings out obstacles that came across their way to gain freedom such as mob violence and lynching. Many more famous presses and newspapers were established such as the Chicago Defenders that urged African Americans to move up North to avoid the mistreatment from the South during World War 1. Overall, the documentary included many inspirational stories of African men and women that sparked social change through newspapers and journalism through difficult times in the 19th century.
The documentary emphasizes the cruel racial injustice that heavily affected the African Americans and how journalism and newspapers were their weapons. It talked about how journalism gave them a voice, a window for escape and freedom, as well as hope and faith. Journalism gave African Americans an independent voice and rather than others speaking for them. It also gave them an opportunity to establish their own identity separate from the mainstream and how they treated them in that world. Though public expression was rare for African Americans, it was possible. It gives readers a different perspective on how African Americans survived the past with a nonphysical weapon. As mentioned in the documentary, the 19th century African American press united many African Americans together regardless of where they lived. It gave them hope which was something they barely had. This inspirational movement inspired people to make more black newspapers allowing more people to have voices to represent themselves. This documentary reveals that it is all about inspiration, hope, and social change that can change people’s lives for the better.
It has informed and influenced people that anything is possible when one puts their mind and effort to it. When the documentary talked about the mistreatment and slavery the African Americans had to go through, it allowed the readers to sympathize and emotionally understand the injustice of racial inequality. Moreover, when it talked about how people paved the way for freedom and justice through newspapers, it sparked inspiration for the readers. The film made its argument by providing inspirational stories that African Americans suffered through and how the existence of journalism changed their lives for the better through optimism and independence. The documentary allows the audience to realize how unity and faith can help those take action for social change and for what they believe in. It is speaking to all kinds of audiences to inspire them about the stories and to emphasize the power in journalism and unity.
Comments