…– through over 40 states including Hawaii and Alaska; still in the same family and still with the same purpose (since 1971 when I became editor): *To promote self-esteem; *to encourage respect–for self and for the differences of others; and to be instrumental in fostering lasting vehicles (actual playing fields) through which and on which diverse peoples can unite on some regular, common, voluntary basis.
I am blessed to have been involved in a few during my 70+year time span in this unique profession, the last 45 of which have been spent in this most unique city as editor of a Black Press during the most historic times this comparatively new nation (and Commonwealth of Virginia in particular) have ever witnessed.
I had no intentions of remaining with the paper following my father’s 4th of July auto accident in 1971, having experienced only the all male, smoke filled composition rooms due to the antiquated printing process at that time–-on The New York Age in Harlem, The Cleveland (Ohio) Herald, Ohio State Sentinal in Columbus, the Fayette Gazette in Fayetteville, WV and the Vinton (VA) Booster. It was my SCORE representative, retired president of Stone Printing Co. at the time, who convinced me to hold on-–and I’m still holding-–thanks to YOU; son, “Stan the man,” with me all the way, and current staff Leslie and Rico to which has recently been added daughter, Eva plus volunteers including the 4 local grandchildren. Talk about your Family Affair!
Another key to survival has been learning to respect the “Power of the Press” which I learned during the early days of school desegregation with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s historic internationally famous “Massive Resistance” stance. It was The New York Times’ front page coverage of then Virginia Governor A. Linwood Holton, escorting his daughter Tayloe into predominantly Black Richmond schools on August 31, 1970, the first day of school (as he did also with his other children) circulated world wide, that ended Virginia’s overt massive resistance! The covert situation still exists. It was not just a “photo shoot” publicity stunt; they remained there through graduation! It’s time Black Virginians in particular learn our history and join the Tribune in its goals.
“Racism is a disease that affects people in society in a conscious or unconscious way,” begins a concept read at the beginning of each meeting of a broad and diversley attended weekly meeting for at least 10 consecutive years. It began through the local Baha’i community and included people of all faiths or of no particular faith as the concentration was on racism that affects all.
“Denial of the problem prevents its adequate solution, perpetuates the disease and undermines the self-esteem of victims and perpetrators alike. Only through sharing feelings and experiences can mistrust turn to friendship, trust and ultimately reconciliation and love,” states one portion of statements read at the beginning of each session to help set the stage for open and honest consultation without confrontation. The primary aim, to come together to try to learn about the disease of racism (as well as other prejudices) and promote a healing and forgiving. One session even included a special session with a fully uniformed rifle division of the KKK that went exceptionally well.
Although we may not think of ourselves as perpetrators, we may unwittingly perpetrate racism or other prejudices by repeating unconscious habits and thoughts. It is common to find fault with and demand change of others (over whom we have no control) yet fail to see or admit our own respective contributions to the problem (over which we do have control should we but exercise it.
And speaking of control, the printed media has been the sole media that remained unaccountable to the FCC before social media, placing special responsibility on those who controlled it. I remember being advised by the president during an NNPA meeting in New York that The Roanoke Tribune would never make it as “Good news doesn’t sell.” (I must admit that it is a slooow mover.) Not too many years thereafter most of the big Black medias including The Afro-American and the Norfolk Journal and Guide, went down for a few years while The Roanoke Tribune was small enough to survive the crash and was subsequently recognized by Virgina State Libraries in Richmond as the longest continuous Black newspaper in the State during a ceremony emceed by Daphne Reid. Afro-American editor Ray Boon resurfaced with The Richmond Free Press while the other primary Black media is now The New Journal and Guide.
Regrettably, although the longest in continuous operation, our annual recorded back issue logs date only as far (successively) as 1980, with a couple of rare exceptions damaged during the total bulldozing of the plant (with no prior warning) in the summer of 1983) in the name of “revitalization”-– still untouched to date, and a fire bombing a couple of years prior to that – through all of which The Tribune “turtle” kept crawling -without missing an issue.
It is MOST important that we compile written Black History as other methods are open to wide and varied interpretation and honest mistakes are sometimes made. It’s not a competition. It must be a unified collective effort. Let’s get and KEEP the records straight for posterity!
