Black History Pamphlets Collection, ca. 1890-2018

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Summary

Title:
Black History Pamphlets Collection
Dates:
ca. 1890-2018
Abstract:
This collection contains pamphlets, ephemera, booklets, joutrnals, comic books, and other materials related to Black history in the last 200 years. Subjects include slavery, economics, Black/White relations, as well as noted Black figures, including Rev. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Anglea Davis, Huey Newton, Paul Robeson, C.L.R. James, and Amanda Smith. Publications include Black journals, zines, and comic books introducing Black superheroes.
Extent:
.42 Linear Feet and 1 box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

This material covers a wide range of issues related to Black history over the last 200 years. While some of the work is scholarly, and takes a retrospective, historical view, much of it is contemprary with the issues discussed. The historical materials includes two published essays by noted American Marxist historian Herbert Aptheker, regarding labor and slavery in the American south: one talks about labor in general, while the other rebuts many of the claims of a 1974 book Aptheker felt presented a pro-slavery viewpoint.

The largest portion of materials deal with Black rights, with much of the material covering the period from World War II to the 1980s. These include communist and capitalist viewpoints and critiques of political and labor movements, along with overviews of Black rights and equality with Whites.

The Noted Figures section focuses on some of the key figures in recent and distant Black history. These include appreciations of Martin Luther King and political activity done in his name, a retrospective of Malcolm X published two years after his assassination, and a 1968 essay by Huey Newton about the state of the Black Movement, published by Students for a Democratic Society.

There are several items related to Paul Robeson, including a reprint of his s 1950 speech about Negro-Labor unity, delivered at the national Labor Conference for Negro Rights. There is also a publication protesting the injustice of Robeson's passport being revoked in 1950. A related item is the full-page reprint of an ad taken out by the National Ad Hoc Committee to End the Crimes Against Paul Robeson, a collection of Black actors, writers, academics, and activists, protesting the play "Paul Robeson" in 1978.

There is also an undated program for an appearance by the celebrated Black evangelist Amada Smith, probably around 1890.

Periodicals include a copy of the Black Politician, discussing varied issues (notable especially as longtime California politician Mervyn Dymally served as Editor-in-Chief; a zine about the Black Panther party, and a collection of Black poetry. The two comic books represent early efforts to introduce Black superheroes into mainstream comics: Captain Confederacy and Black Lightning (notable for being the first Black member of the DC comcic Justice League of America).

This is expected to be a growing collection.

Processing information:

This collection was processed by Tom Philo in July, 2022.

Arrangement:

Arranged in six series: Series I: Black Life. 1944-1979 Series II: Black Rights. 1947-1984 Series III: Slavery. 1942-1974 Series IV: Economics. 1970-1992 Series V: Noted Figures. ca. 1890-2018 Series VI: Black Publications. 1970-2018

Physical description:
Amanda Smith notice placed in sleeve, Paul Robeson notice encapuslated. Some items worn, but no special handling instruction needed.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-04-10 20:31:42 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Therte are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website