black ink
an investigation into the black british press
With Pride
Since the last large issues that this complex
migration of people from subject area presents. This
magazine and The
the Caribbean and Africa, article will primarily focus
Voice newspaper
there have been various on the discussion of people
celebrating their
attempts to provide a voice of African/Caribbean,
for and by these groups British-born descent. In this
16th and 25th
of people via print media. overview of the titles which
years respectively,
Some of these publications dominate what is a niche
were born in response to market, we’ll try to examine
it would appear direct racism and the need some of the history of
that Black British
for wider society to take Black publications. We’ll
notice and make steps to investigate how new
people have been
implement justice. media has injected life
well provided for in
Black is a loaded word. into the sector, and try to
It may work on some answer some ideological
terms representation
level politically, but questions.
in print media.
less so culturally; what
African American
Jennifer G.
exactly is Black and more
insidiously ‘Black culture’? influence
Robinson
Using this terminology In contrast with the UK,
investigates.
to define people with a North America has many
little colour plays into the more Black publications.
idea that they are from Indeed some find their
one homogenous jelly- way onto our shores, most
last printed in 2006. There
mould with no variation notably Essence and Ebony
were forays into even more
in language, customs and lifestyle magazines, with
niche markets through
traditions. Then there are music magazines such as
the hair industry in 1991
Asian communities who Vibe following. These have
with AfroDizziac, but
have their own vibrant been in circulation for
this has been superseded
publications: should they decades, though they often
by titles such as Black
be included here? represent the experience
Hair. Publications such as
This is certainly a large of middle-class African
Mahogany Brides came
area to cover and one Americans, of whom there
in 2002; its only apparent
which can only be touched are far greater numbers
difference from white bridal
on here. It is important to
than in the UK, and with
magazines was the browner
investigate the contextual
more economic clout and
models used. In 1999 BMJ
financial thrust. Whilst
attempted to specifically
Trace (formerly True with its
there is much cross-over
examine the media from
headquarters in New York).
between peoples, there is
a Black perspective. It was
There were earlier
still a unique experience
matched by Black African
for ‘Blacks’ in the UK which
Caribbean and UK Afro
newspapers such as The
needs documenting.
& Caribbean. But in 1992
Weekly Gleaner; then Black
came the sublime Origin
Briton, 1992 and Diaspora,
A prolific past magazine. Origin claimed
1994. One significant entry
In hindsight, the Black to be ‘conscious, cultural,
with broadsheet format
British press has been controversial’. It drew
and sensibilities was The
prolific. For example we upon traditional African
Weekly Journal, starting life
saw Savoir Faire, 1994 in culture as a basis for its
in 1992.
newspaper format. Then articles which propagated
came Candace, 1995 and a positive message of
Diminishing
Smooth, 2000, which Black awareness. Then
returns
has to be said was more came Large (later known
Men’s magazine markets
fanzine with its pixellated as Living Large), claiming
have always been tough
front cover. In June 2003, to ‘shape the lifestyles of
markets to break into
Applause was printed. It young black people in 90’s
let alone survive. Most
attempted to seek ‘Britain’s Britain’. BlaqSport, 2001
recently this market
Black achievers’. Noir attempted to ‘celebrate
changed radically with
launched in 2005, whilst black sporting achievement’
the introduction of weekly
Vogue in Black had its and HARDedge, 1995, was titles such as Zoo and Nuts
inaugural issue in 1993. a music publication but and of course there are the
Bi-monthly Aspire was again has been up-dated by monthly heavy-weights
english and media centre | February 2008 | MediaMagazine 27
MM23S&
G13.02.08.indd 27 14/2/08 12:31:20
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68