The Journal of African American History facts for kids
Spine of Volume 7
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Former names
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The Journal of Negro History |
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Abbreviated title (ISO 4)
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J. Afr. Am. Hist. |
| Discipline | History |
| Edited by | Pero G. Dagbovie |
| Publication details | |
| Publisher |
University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (United States)
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Publication history
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1916–present |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
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| ISSN | 1548-1867 |
| LCCN | 2006-236700 |
| OCLC no. | 60628423 |
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The Journal of African American History is an important magazine that comes out four times a year. It used to be called The Journal of Negro History from 1916 to 2001. This journal focuses on the lives and history of African Americans.
A famous historian named Carter G. Woodson started it in 1916. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) owns and looks after the journal. It publishes new articles by experts about all parts of the African-American experience. Each year, the journal also shares over 60 reviews of new books. These books are about African and African-American life and history. Since 2018, the University of Chicago Press has published the journal for the ASALH.
Contents
History of the Journal
The Journal of African American History was one of the very first scholarly magazines to cover African-American history. It began in January 1916. Carter G. Woodson, an African-American historian, founded it. The journal is part of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson also started this organization.
At the time, there were no other major sources for learning about African-American history. This journal became the main place for this information. It gave Black scholars a chance to publish articles. These articles looked at African-American history and culture. They also recorded the experiences of Black people in the United States. The journal mostly published works by Black authors. It helped them succeed in their academic careers. White scholars with different ideas could also publish their work here. Woodson worked hard to cover African-American history when others ignored it. Because of his efforts, he is called the "Father of African American History."
Carter G. Woodson's Vision
Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950) was a professor and historian. He taught at Howard University. He was one of the first Black scholars to earn a doctoral degree. Other famous Black scholars like W. E. B. Du Bois also achieved this. Woodson became a leader in the study of Black history.
He earned his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. Then he joined the faculty at Howard University. When he was studying, "Black history" was not really a field of study. Woodson was one of the first Black scholars to see this missing area. He decided to do something about it. Carol Adams, CEO of the Chicago Museum of African American History, spoke about the journal's creation. She said, "He didn’t just see a need, he moved to fill the need." She added that it was hard for African-American scholars to get their work published. So, Woodson started a journal and then a publishing company.
How the Journal Helped Create Black History Month
In 1915, Woodson helped start the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This organization later changed its name. It became the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This is the same way the journal changed its name. This non-profit group was founded in Chicago. Its main office is in Washington, D.C.
This organization and Woodson created African American History Week in 1926. They chose a week that included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. This helped bring attention to the importance of Black history. African American History Week built on the work of the Journal of Negro History. It celebrated the need to study and honor African-American culture. The ASALH still publishes the journal today. Woodson's work with the journal and the history week led to what we now call Black History Month. Black History Month is celebrated every February. It still includes the week of Frederick Douglass's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays.
Important People in the Journal's History
Since it began, the Journal of African American History has published works by many important scholars. These include famous names like Benjamin Quarles, John Hope Franklin, and W. E. B. Du Bois.
Another key person was Jesse E. Moorland. He was a major helper, along with Woodson, in starting Black History Month. Moorland also gave many of his personal books and writings to Howard University. This helped create one of the world's largest libraries on African-American history. This library is called the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. It also honors activist Arthur Spingarn. Joe R. Feagin is another notable figure. He has researched issues of racism in society. He has also added to the history of African Americans.
The Journal and Women of Color
The Journal of African American History was very important for women of color in the 1900s. Back then, it was not common for women to be easily accepted in academic fields. The journal, then called The Journal of Negro History, gave women of color a place to publish their work. They could do this without being criticized.
The first Black female historians found their way through this journal. Female authors wrote nine percent of the articles published in The Journal of Negro History. This was much higher than other well-known journals at the time. For example, the Mississippi Valley Historical Review or the Journal of Southern History only had about three percent female authors. So, The Journal of Negro History was quite groundbreaking. It allowed more female authors to share their work. One famous example is Marion Thompson Wright. She was the first African-American woman to earn a doctoral degree in history. She published her work on Black people in New Jersey in The Journal of Negro History.
Who Publishes the Journal?
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History owns The Journal of African American History. In 2018, the editor V. P. Franklin made a new agreement. He worked with Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, a well-known historian from Harvard University. They signed a deal with the University of Chicago Press. Now, the University of Chicago Press publishes the journal for the ASALH.
The Current Editor
Pero G. Dagbovie is a respected history professor. He teaches at Michigan State University. His main focus is on Black history, Black women's history, and the Black Power movement. He has also written many books. These include African American History Reconsidered and a book about Carter G. Woodson. Because of his work and knowledge, Dagbovie was chosen as the new editor of the journal. He replaced V.P. Franklin.
The Journal's Impact
As mentioned, The Journal of African American History was key in starting the effort to record Black history. It helped fill a great need for this study. It also gave Black scholars chances to challenge old ideas. They could fight stereotypes and work to create a better view of African Americans. The journal also allowed people of color to publish their work. They could gain recognition in the academic world. It truly encouraged and supported the academic success of Black Americans, especially Black historians.
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