Kansas City Call

Kansas City Call

The Kansas City Call is a weekly newspaper that has been a significant voice for the African American community in Kansas City, Missouri, since its founding in 1919 by C.A. Franklin. As one of the oldest and most respected African American newspapers in the United States, the Kansas City Call has played a crucial role in the US Civil Rights Movement, providing a platform for civil rights leaders and activists to express their views and mobilize support for the movement. The newspaper's commitment to social justice and equality has made it an essential source of information and inspiration for the African American community.

● History of

the Kansas City Call The Kansas City Call was founded in 1919 by C.A. Franklin, a prominent African American journalist and civil rights activist. Franklin's vision for the newspaper was to provide a voice for the African American community in Kansas City, Missouri, and to promote social justice and equality. Under Franklin's leadership, the Kansas City Call quickly gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for civil rights, and it became a popular platform for African American writers and journalists, including Langston Hughes and Roy Wilkins. The newspaper's early years were marked by struggles, including financial difficulties and racism, but it persevered and continued to grow in influence and circulation. The Kansas City Call was also a member of the National Negro Publishers Association, which was founded by John H. Sengstacke.

● Role

in the US Civil Rights Movement The Kansas City Call played a significant role in the US Civil Rights Movement, providing a platform for civil rights leaders and activists to express their views and mobilize support for the movement. The newspaper was a strong supporter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and it frequently published articles and editorials by prominent NAACP leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois and Thurgood Marshall. The Kansas City Call also covered major civil rights events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and it provided in-depth analysis and commentary on the movement's key issues, such as segregation, voting rights, and police brutality. The newspaper's commitment to social justice and equality made it an essential source of information and inspiration for the African American community.

● Notable Contributors and Editors

The Kansas City Call has had a number of notable contributors and editors throughout its history, including C.A. Franklin, Roy Wilkins, and Langston Hughes. Roy Wilkins, who served as the newspaper's editor from 1932 to 1942, was a prominent civil rights leader and journalist who played a key role in the NAACP. Langston Hughes, who was a frequent contributor to the newspaper, was a celebrated African American poet and writer who was known for his powerful and poignant portrayals of African American life. Other notable contributors to the Kansas City Call have included Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, and Gwendolyn Brooks. The newspaper has also been edited by other notable figures, including Herman Hudson and Levi Henry.

● Coverage of Major Civil Rights Events

The Kansas City Call provided extensive coverage of major civil rights events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and the Selma to Montgomery Marches. The newspaper's coverage of these events was often in-depth and analytical, and it provided a unique perspective on the movement's key issues and challenges. The Kansas City Call also covered other significant events, such as the Watts Riots and the Detroit Riot of 1967, and it provided commentary and analysis on the movement's major figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Stokely Carmichael. The newspaper's coverage of civil rights events was often accompanied by editorials and opinion pieces that advocated for social justice and equality.

● Impact on

the African American Community The Kansas City Call has had a profound impact on the African American community in Kansas City, Missouri, and beyond. The newspaper's commitment to social justice and equality has made it an essential source of information and inspiration for African Americans who are seeking to understand and address the challenges facing their community. The Kansas City Call has also provided a platform for African American writers and journalists to express their views and showcase their talents, and it has helped to promote African American culture and African American history. The newspaper's influence extends beyond the African American community, and it has been recognized as a significant contributor to the US Civil Rights Movement by scholars and historians, including David Levering Lewis and Manning Marable.

● Relationship with Other Civil Rights Publications

The Kansas City Call has had a close relationship with other civil rights publications, including the Chicago Defender, the Pittsburgh Courier, and the Baltimore Afro-American. These newspapers, which were all founded by African Americans, shared a common commitment to social justice and equality, and they often collaborated on stories and projects. The Kansas City Call was also a member of the National Negro Publishers Association, which was founded by John H. Sengstacke to promote the interests of African American newspapers. The newspaper's relationship with other civil rights publications has helped to amplify its message and extend its influence, and it has played a significant role in shaping the US Civil Rights Movement. The Kansas City Call has also been compared to other notable African American newspapers, including the New York Amsterdam News and the Los Angeles Sentinel.