Colored Radical facts for kids
The Colored Radical was an African American newspaper in Kansas. It was the first newspaper in the state made by and for black people. It was published for a short time in 1876.
What Was the Colored Radical?
The Colored Radical was the very first newspaper for black people in Kansas. It was printed in two cities: Lawrence and Leavenworth. Two black ministers, T.W. Henderson and A.T. Williams, were its editors.
The first issue came out on August 24, 1876. This was a time when many African Americans were moving to Kansas. They were leaving the South after slavery ended, looking for new opportunities. A subscription to the newspaper cost 50 cents. The same company that printed the Kansas Daily Tribune also printed the Colored Radical.
What Did the Newspaper Talk About?
The Colored Radical supported the Kansas Republican Party. It shared news from many places, even as far away as Mississippi. The newspaper strongly spoke out against segregation. Segregation meant keeping white and black people separate, like in schools. The paper believed that all children should go to the same schools.
It also wrote about unfair events. For example, it called the Hamburg massacre in Hamburg, South Carolina, a very sad event in American history. Even though it talked about serious issues, the newspaper also shared good news. It encouraged black Kansans to become strong and independent. It told them to buy land and take care of their homes.
When Did It Stop Publishing?
The last issue of the Colored Radical was printed on November 16, 1876. This was soon after the elections were over. Only five copies of the fourteen issues published still exist today.
Two years after the Colored Radical closed, a new black newspaper started. It was called the Colored Citizen. W.L. Eagleson started it in Fort Scott and later moved it to Topeka. T.W. Henderson, one of the original editors of the Colored Radical, joined Eagleson to help edit the new paper.
