Oral history interview with Lawrence "Pat" Patterson, 1971.

Biographical Note

Lawrence "Pat" Patterson (1927-1992) earned his degree in Economics from New York University (NYU) in 1957. Prior to entering the newspaper business, Patterson served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army. He worked as a correspondent or editor for the New York Amsterdam News, New York Voice, Long Island Newsday, Manhattan Tribune, New York Courier, National Leader, and New York Page. Patterson received the Paul Tobenkin and Siluran awards for his work. In 1969 Patterson became the founding Editor of Black Enterprise Magazine and later served as a member of its Editorial Board and Editor at Large for the magazine.

Scope and Contents

In his 1971 interview with Henry La Brie, Lawrence "Pat" Patterson discusses his interest in writing and how that led him to become a journalist. He reflects on the role of the black press in society, changes in the press that he witnessed, its successes and failures, and its future. Additionally, he discusses the need for a national newspaper or magazine that would unite the issues and concerns of America's black population. He shares his thoughts on black newspapers' focus on local or community news as opposed to national news. Patterson explains the black press's role in organizing and advocating for the black community, particularly with the government.

Subjects

• African American journalists.
• African American press.
• African Americans--Civil rights.
• Editors--Interviews.
• Interviews.
• Journalists--Interviews.
• La Brie, Henry G., interviewer.--http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/ivr
• New York (N.Y.)--Newspapers.
• Newspapers--Circulation.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Patterson, Lawrence--Interviews.
• United States--Race relations.