History Of The ‘Freedom’s Journal’ The 1st African American Newspaper

 

The struggle for equality and civil rights has been a long and hard-fought battle in the United States. However, one of the most powerful tools used to amplify the voices of African Americans in the early 19th century was the press. Among the first and most influential publications dedicated to giving voice to the African American experience was Freedom’s Journal, founded on March 16, 1827. It was the first newspaper owned and operated by African Americans. Its creation and impact marked a pivotal moment in the history of Black journalism and civil rights.

Established following the end of slavery in New York State, the Freedom’s Journal was founded in NYC by a group of free African American men. Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm played an instrumental role in the publication’s success and served as its senior and junior editors, according to PBS. The historic news source came at a time when African Americans were fighting against oppression, marginalization, and the growing racial tensions of the era across the country as a number of states were still entrenched in slavery. Having no outlet to express themselves, learn about Black history, or to protest for civil rights, the Freedom’s Journal provided African Americans with a platform to document and talk about their experiences. It also served as a soundboard, providing a platform to form calls for social justice.

What was inside the Freedom’s Journal?

At its inception, Freedom’s Journal was a subscription-based publication that aimed to address issues of slavery, racism, and civil rights. It was created to combat the rampant negative stereotyping and misrepresentation of African Americans in the mainstream press, which was often hostile to their rights and humanity. Cornish and Russwurm, both well-educated and deeply committed to their cause, envisioned the paper as a means to inform, educate, and inspire Black people to fight for their rights and for an end to slavery.

PBS highlighted that the groundbreaking publication shared similarities with other antebellum reform papers in that it featured news of current events, editorials, and anecdotes while addressing critical issues of the time such as slavery and “colonization.” The concept of colonization was promoted by The American Colonization Society, a predominantly white pro-emigration group founded in 1816 with the goal of sending free Black individuals back to Africa. Although initially opposed to colonization, Freedom’s Journal strongly condemned slavery, advocated for political rights for Black people, and called for the right to vote.

Per Black Past, the newspaper provided its readers with a mix of regional, national, and international news, combining both informative and entertaining content. It aimed to improve the lives of the over 300,000 newly freed Black men and women living in the North. Over 800 copies were distributed throughout 11 states and the District of Columbia. It reached as far as Canada, Haiti, Sierra Leone, and the United Kingdom. Users paid an annual subscription cost of $3 per year.

The newspaper also served as a paper record. It included birth, death, and wedding announcements. Its pages featured articles on improving education, health, and living conditions for Black Americans. To inspire pride in Black achievement, Freedom’s Journal published biographies of prominent Black figures such as Paul Cuffee, a Black Bostonian who owned a trading ship crewed by free Black sailors, Toussaint L’Ouverture, and poet Phillis Wheatley. The paper also had a classified section that included listings for schools, jobs, and affordable housing.

The publication created employment opportunities for formerly enslaved individuals.

A central theme in the paper was the abolition of slavery. At the time, slavery was still a deeply entrenched institution in the Southern states, and much of Freedom’s Journal was dedicated to promoting the abolitionist movement. The paper also highlighted stories of African American success, accomplishments, and achievements, which were often ignored or downplayed by the mainstream media.

While advocating for equality, Russwurm and Cornish also worked to create job opportunities for African Americans through Freedom’s Journal. At various points, the newspaper employed between 14 and 44 agents who were responsible for collecting subscriptions and renewing them.

Who were Russwurm and Cornish? What happened to the Freedom’s Journal?

Cornish and Russwurm were both passionate advocates for African American rights, and their leadership at Freedom’s Journal played a crucial role in its success. Jamaican-born, Russwurm made history as the first African American graduate of Bowdoin College and only the third Black person to earn a degree from an American college, Black Past noted. His cofounder, Cornish, hailed from Sussex County, Delaware, and graduated from the Free African School in Philadelphia. Cornish was also instrumental in establishing Shiloh Presbyterian Church in 1822, the first Black Presbyterian church in Manhattan.

After Cornish resigned as editor of Freedom’s Journal in September 1827, Russwurm took over as the sole editor and soon began advocating for the colonization movement, run by the American Colonization Society. The predominantly white organization wanted to return free African Americans back to the West African colony of Liberia. Russwurm supported the idea.

Sadly, the shift in editorial direction was met with resistance from many of the paper’s readers, who did not support colonization. As a result, Freedom’s Journal ceased publication in March 1829. Historians believe that Cornish and Russwurm may have failed to see eye to eye about the publication’s direction and messaging.

Cornish attempted to revive the newspaper in May 1829 under the new name The Rights of All, but the newspaper operated for less than a year before ultimately shuttering. Nevertheless, the contributions of Cornish and Russwurm to Black journalism cannot be overlooked. Through Freedom’s Journal, they created a platform that not only educated and empowered freed slaves but also helped them gain financial independence.

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