Oral history interview with Lerone Bennett, Jr., 1971

Terms of Use: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than your own private study, scholarship, or research. Any subsequent copying, downloading or distributing materials accessed by you in the Columbia University Libraries Digital Libraries Collection that are subject to copyright protection may constitute copyright infringement. In addition, Columbia University Libraries may employ technical measures to prevent any further copying, downloading, or distribution of the materials. A violation of these terms may subject you to potential liability for copyright infringement. For more information about copyright, fair use and permissions, refer to Columbia University Library’s Copyright Advisory Services at https://copyright.columbia.edu, and the Copyright & Permissions for Online Exhibitions & Digital Collections.

Name: Bennett, Lerone, Jr., 1928-2018 (Interviewee); La Brie, Henry G (Interviewer)
Title: Oral history interview with Lerone Bennett, Jr., 1971
Other Titles: Reminiscences of Lerone Bennett, Jr. : oral history, 1971; Oral history of Lerone Bennett, Jr., 1971
Abstract: Bennett discusses his reasons for becoming a journalist, the importance of the black press, the success of sensational news stories, the myth of an objective press, and the necessity of a free press. Bennett expresses his belief that the role of news outlets-print and visual media-is to deliver information about what is going on in local communities as well as information about the economic and pol itical structures that affect the everyday lives of constituents. Bennett also discusses: the failure of mainstream media to cover issues related to the black community and poverty; the role of the black press in covering issues that affect the black community; and the contribution the black press made to the civil rights movement and its general encouragement of political activism in the black community.
Collection Name: Black Journalists oral history collection
Subjects: Editors; Journalists; African American press; African American journalists; African Americans--Civil rights; Bennett, Lerone, Jr., 1928-2018
Format: oral histories
Genre: Interviews
Date: 1971
Physical Description: sound files : digital preservation master, WAV files (96kHz, 24 bit); 28 pages
Note (Biographical): Lerone Bennett, Jr. (1928-) was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on October 17, 1928 to Lerone and Alma (Reed) Bennett. He attended Jackson, Mississippi's public schools; earned a Bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in 1949 where he majored in pol itical science and economics; and did some graduate study at Atlanta University (Clark Atlanta University). Bennett was editor of the newspaper and yearbook in high school and college. Professionally, Bennett worked as a reporter and City Editor with the Atlanta Daily World (1949-1953). In 1953 he joined Jet magazine as an Associate Editor, and later worked as Associate Editor and then Senior Editor for Ebony magazine. Bennett is the author of several books documenting the black experience in America, including: Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America, 1619-1962; The Negro Mood; and What Manner of Man: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. He married Gloria Sylvester in 1956 and together they have four children.
Note: Interviewed by Henry G. La Brie III on June 7, 1971.
Note (Provenance): Henry G. La Brie III Gift, 1975
Language: English
Library Location: Columbia Center for Oral History, Columbia University
Browse Location’s Digital Content
Catalog Record: 11562854
Also In: Time-Based Media
Persistent URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/d8-fkg1-xb59
Related URLs: Available digital content for this interview.