Clarion Defender facts for kids
| Oldest Negro Publisher in the Northwest | |
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Jimmy "Bang-Bang" Walker |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Ceased publication | 1973[?] |
| City | Portland, Oregon |
| OCLC number | 44631946 |
The Clarion Defender was an important weekly newspaper in Portland, Oregon. It was created for and run by African Americans. The paper was published from 1966 until about 1973. It was founded by a man named Jimmy "Bang-Bang" Walker. The newspaper's motto was, "Oldest Negro Publisher in the Northwest."
Contents
The Clarion Defender Newspaper
The Clarion Defender was a newspaper that focused on issues important to African Americans in Portland. It often wrote about how local events affected the Black community. The paper also talked about fairness and how police treated people.
How the Newspaper Started
.png)
The Clarion Defender had a history before its new name. An older newspaper called the Northwest Clarion was published from 1943 to 1961. Jimmy "Bang-Bang" Walker, who was a civil rights supporter and journalist, brought it back to life.
In 1962, Jimmy "Bang-Bang" Walker used $15,000 to start his own paper, the Northwest Defender. Five years later, he took over the Northwest Clarion, which had stopped publishing. He then combined them and renamed it the Clarion Defender. Sometimes, it was also called the Northwest Clarion Defender or the New Northwest Clarion Defender.
Its Message and Impact
The Clarion Defender played a big role in the community. When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, Jimmy Walker used the newspaper to share a message. He wrote about continuing Dr. King's goals and using peaceful ways to achieve them. The paper helped keep Dr. King's ideas alive in Portland.
Portland had other African American newspapers too. These included the Portland Challenger and the Portland Times. But the Clarion Defender was a strong voice for its community during its time.
About Jimmy "Bang-Bang" Walker
James Zell "Jimmy" Walker, Jr. was the founder, editor, and publisher of the Clarion Defender. He was born on March 23, 1932, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Early Life and Talents
Jimmy's father passed away when Jimmy was only four years old. His family then moved to Vallejo, California. From a young age, Jimmy was a hard worker. At eight years old, he was already earning money by selling newspapers and picking fruit. He remembered his mother teaching them to be proud and that hard work was important.
Jimmy was also a talented athlete. In 1941, he won the California Junior Golden Gloves in boxing. In high school, he earned awards in all four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track.
His Legacy in the Community
Jimmy "Bang-Bang" Walker passed away on October 4, 2005, at age 73 in North Portland, Oregon. A service was held in his honor at Jefferson High School.
Many people in the community remembered him fondly. Halim Rahsaan, a former boxer, said that Jimmy's commitment to the African American community was a "real loss." Tony Hopson, who founded Self Enhancement Inc., called him a "real role model." Jimmy also started the Miss Tan America Beauty Pageant. This event helped people of color feel good about themselves at a time when they needed it. He truly helped his community feel proud and strong.
