Date of Award

8-1993

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

English

First Advisor

Dr. Welford D. Taylor

Second Advisor

Dr. Daryl C. Dance

Abstract

Black newspapers play a vital role in keeping people up-to-date with what's happening in the Black community. This study will show how Black newspapers play a vital role in reporting news and comments from an Afro-American perspective. It will provide a historical overview of Black news as well as a close examination of Langston Hughes' columns and his character of Jesse B. Semple within the context of the Black press, particularly the Chicago Defender. The results of this study will reveal the joys and concerns that Afro-Americans shared with each other through the Black newspapers and show how the character of "Jesse B. Semple" emerged from the Black newspaper to become an important literary character and a truly authentic voice for Black people.

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