Oral history interview with Lionel C. Barrow, 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: Barrow, Lionel C (Interviewee); La Brie, Henry G (Interviewer)
Title: Oral history interview with Lionel C. Barrow, 1971
Other Titles: Reminiscences of Lionel Barrow : oral history, 1971; Oral history of Lionel Barrow, 1971
Abstract: Barrow discusses his experiences at The Baltimore Afro-American, the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the significance of black media, and supporting the next generation of black journalists. Barrow describes: the need for local coverage; and the longevity of black papers such as The Afro and Atlanta Daily World; the limitations of black mobility; the central role of the black press to the survival of black communities; and the need for a national news service to support minority publications. He also describes his own daily news consumption. He criticizes the notion of objectivity and the mainstream media’s sensationalist approach to black issues and communities. Lastly, Barrow describes: the growing popularity of black magazines; the mainstream media’s failure to diversify; the research of Edward Trayes; the challenges of training black students interested in journalism; the SCLC’s (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) Operation Breadbasket; and his aspirations for curricula improvements at historically black colleges and universities.
Collection Name: Black Journalists oral history collection
Subjects: College teachers; African American press; African American universities and colleges; Journalism--Study and teaching--United States; Newspaper publishing--Economic aspects--United States; African Americans--Civil rights; Barrow, Lionel C; Afro-American (Baltimore, Md. : National ed.)
Format: oral histories
Genre: Interviews
Date: 1971

Physical Description: sound files : digital preservation master, WAV files (96kHz, 24 bit); 25 pages
Note (Biographical): Lionel Barrow (1926-2009) was a leader of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) and began its Minorities and Communications Division. Barrow graduated from Morehouse College in 1948, in the same graduating class as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and later received a master's degree in Journalism in 1958 and a doctorate in Mass Communications in 1960 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Barrow served in the 24th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He taught as a professor of African American Studies and Communication at the University of Wisconsin before moving to Howard University, where he served as Dean of the School of Communications from 1975-1985. He received the AEJMC Presidential Award in 1997, and has a minority doctoral scholarship in his name.
Note: Interviewed by Henry G. La Brie III on June 21, 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: 11562813
Also In: Oral History Archives at Columbia; Time-Based Media; Time-Based Media
Persistent URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/d8-qke6-1p98
Related URLs: Available digital content for this interview.