beautone:

Negro Digest Covers 

Negro Digest was originally founded in 1942 by Johnson Publishing as the black version of Reader’s Digest. It was John Johnson’s first publication, and he used the profits he made from it to later launch Ebony and Jet. Negro Digest folded in 1951 but was revived in the 1960s as a magazine of politics, culture, poetry, and theater. In 1970 its name was changed to Black World, but it stopped publication in 1976. Herbert Temple was the art director.

Interesting scholarly history

Source: newmanology

M.L.K. Tribute: Remember the Mission

As I take the time today to remember the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., there are a few things that I would like to share.

Today is a day set aside to honor a great leader and standard bearer for justice.  Prior to the this day becoming a holiday, it was unheard of for person of color to have a federal holiday.  These days, the King “holiday” has become a day where Facebook profile photos change, we replay the “I Have A Dream” speech, some of us get the day off, and others attend celebrations that merely pontificate about what King would do today (and offer no real challenge for us today).

If we are truly going to honor Dr. King, as Americans…not just Black people, then we really need to realign ourselves with the mission that Dr. King fought so hard for- HUMAN rights.  Many believe that Dr. King fought hard for just Black people.  However, as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he knew that the mission was greater than just helping Black people.  Dr. King fought for justice and equality for ALL mankind!  Instead of just serving at a soup kitchen, Dr. King attacked the conditions that created poverty.  Instead of just preaching in the prisons, Dr. King spoke out against injustice.  Instead of just mentoring one inner city youth, Dr. King could be found in pool halls across America encouraging young people to stand up for what they believe in.

My challenge today is simple…REMEMBER THE MISSION…not just the speech!  Dr. King’s “dream” is becoming more and more of a reality each day.  The election and re-election of President Obama, interracial marriages, increased college access (and choices for all Americans), etc.  However, we have a long way to go.  That “check” that Dr. King spoke of still keeps coming up short.  All men are still NOT treated as created equal.  A lot of our schools (especially in the South) are STILL segregated.  The way we treat our brothers and sisters of Hispanic descent (Migrant or Non-Migrant) is inhumane at times.  Black people are STILL being killed in Mississippi. Chicago has become a war zone and nothing is being done. Mass incarceration of Black men is a problem that doesn’t seem to be getting any better (especially when you can buy stock in prisons now).  

This challenge is for everyone- Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Red…let’s stand up for what is right for all (not just a privileged few).

REMEMBER THE MISSION…not just the speech!

When God speaks, He does not give new revelation about Himself that contradicts what He has already revealed in Scripture. Rather, God speaks to give application of His word to the specific circumstances in your life.
Blackaby (2002)
Hearing God’s Voice 
Research in the postmodern world maintains traditional social-science standards of accuracy and representation, but it must also break down the shibboleths of disengagement and objectivity. Instead, postmodern research demands that the researcher be involved both with the “research subject” and with changing those conditions that seek to silence and marginalize.
William Tierney (1993)