Hudson, Louis O. (editor). American Negro Digest [Vol. 2 (Holiday Winter Issue)]
- SIGNED
- Indianapolis, Indiana: American Negro Digest, 1942
Indianapolis, Indiana: American Negro Digest, 1942. Good. 12” x 9”. Stapled pictorial wrappers. Pp. 32. Good due to wrappers heavily chipped and worn with several small faint stains; internally better with faint watermark to top edge of most leaves, associated waviness and creasing.
This is a rare issue of a short-lived magazine, per its cover, “dedicated to Indiana's contribution and tribute to the Negro in National and Civilian Defense.” Rich with photographic images and messages of wartime support from Black businesses and associations, the magazine documents the many and varied achievements of the Indiana African American community, with particular regard to World War II.
Not to be confused with John H. Johnson's Negro Digest (later Black World) or the similarly named National Negro Digest (a business-oriented monthly), American Negro Digest (AND) apparently ran for just two issues in 1942. The first focused on Kentucky in the war effort, with the present emphasizing Indiana. Editor Louis O. Hudson was born in Indianapolis and had stints as a writer, sports editor and advertising manager for Black newspapers in Nebraska and South Carolina before founding AND. He later moved to New York City, worked as a hotel cook and died at the age of 60.
This issue holds an editorial on “race injustice” and what's needed to ensure both “Victory Here” and “Victory There.” It shares opportunities in the service including “New Rates of Navy Pay – Opened for Colored” and how “Negroes Make Good in All Units of Our War Efforts.” One article highlights the work of local Black women: teachers, community and club leaders striving to “maintain the morale, social, religious and educational equilibrium of soldiers.” It celebrates African Americans' work on the city's police force, publications, housing projects and businesses along “The Avenoo,” along with the National Youth Administration's career center, which “today has become a war Production Training unit.” It also notes that “Highlighting the year 1942 in the National effort was the launching of the Booker T. Washington ship, christened by Marian Anderson and a mixed crew to guide her destinies in the global waters under the direction of a Negro Captain.” There are great photographically illustrated ads and features urging support for Black troops and the sale of stamps and bonds. We see Madam C.J. Walker's headquarters, the all-Black “Glee Club” of the Kingan meat packing plant, views of Shiloh Baptist, “The Conquering Church,” and a saleswoman for the “Automatic Music Company.” One ad for a local business listed its “Negro Employees Now in War” and several ran images of their African American proprietors.
The magazine also provides a “Pictorial Review of YMCA Activities,” cites the work of the local NAACP and labor unions, as well as notable African American residents. One article has a history of the Crispus Attucks Black high school and another shows the men and women leaders of the Associated Federation of Clubs' “admirable cultural program.”
Rare and extensive coverage of African Americans in Indiana and their efforts during World War II. Not located in OCLC, which shows only one holding of the first issue of AND, at Emory. Not in Danky Hady.
This is a rare issue of a short-lived magazine, per its cover, “dedicated to Indiana's contribution and tribute to the Negro in National and Civilian Defense.” Rich with photographic images and messages of wartime support from Black businesses and associations, the magazine documents the many and varied achievements of the Indiana African American community, with particular regard to World War II.
Not to be confused with John H. Johnson's Negro Digest (later Black World) or the similarly named National Negro Digest (a business-oriented monthly), American Negro Digest (AND) apparently ran for just two issues in 1942. The first focused on Kentucky in the war effort, with the present emphasizing Indiana. Editor Louis O. Hudson was born in Indianapolis and had stints as a writer, sports editor and advertising manager for Black newspapers in Nebraska and South Carolina before founding AND. He later moved to New York City, worked as a hotel cook and died at the age of 60.
This issue holds an editorial on “race injustice” and what's needed to ensure both “Victory Here” and “Victory There.” It shares opportunities in the service including “New Rates of Navy Pay – Opened for Colored” and how “Negroes Make Good in All Units of Our War Efforts.” One article highlights the work of local Black women: teachers, community and club leaders striving to “maintain the morale, social, religious and educational equilibrium of soldiers.” It celebrates African Americans' work on the city's police force, publications, housing projects and businesses along “The Avenoo,” along with the National Youth Administration's career center, which “today has become a war Production Training unit.” It also notes that “Highlighting the year 1942 in the National effort was the launching of the Booker T. Washington ship, christened by Marian Anderson and a mixed crew to guide her destinies in the global waters under the direction of a Negro Captain.” There are great photographically illustrated ads and features urging support for Black troops and the sale of stamps and bonds. We see Madam C.J. Walker's headquarters, the all-Black “Glee Club” of the Kingan meat packing plant, views of Shiloh Baptist, “The Conquering Church,” and a saleswoman for the “Automatic Music Company.” One ad for a local business listed its “Negro Employees Now in War” and several ran images of their African American proprietors.
The magazine also provides a “Pictorial Review of YMCA Activities,” cites the work of the local NAACP and labor unions, as well as notable African American residents. One article has a history of the Crispus Attucks Black high school and another shows the men and women leaders of the Associated Federation of Clubs' “admirable cultural program.”
Rare and extensive coverage of African Americans in Indiana and their efforts during World War II. Not located in OCLC, which shows only one holding of the first issue of AND, at Emory. Not in Danky Hady.