Oral history interview with George Schuyler, 1971.

Biographical Note

George Samuel Schuyler (1895-1977) was an African American author, journalist, and social commentator. He served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. After completing military service, Schuyler became affiliated with a black Socialist group, the Friends of Negro Freedom, in New York City. During his career as a journalist, Schuyler developed a conservative reputation; he wrote for several publications, including: The Messenger, The Pittsburgh Courier, and American Mercury. His books included Black No More; Black Empire; Slaves Today: A Story of Liberia; and The Communist Conspiracy against the Negroes.

Scope and Contents

In this 1971 interview with Henry La Brie, George Samuel Schuyler discusses his youth, military service, and work for the press. He discusses his first writing assignment for the Honolulu Commercial Advertiser and his time working for the Messenger and the Pittsburgh Courier. Schuyler explains his views on what makes news, the contributions of the black press to the black community, and its future in relation to the white press. He also discusses his views on what make news, the need for multiple sources in writing news, and the necessity for black newspapers to be black owned. He presents his critiques of the black press as well as his views on the Kerner Commission Report and its effects on the white press' coverage and representation of the black community.

Subjects

• African American journalists.
• African American press.
• African Americans--Civil rights.
• Editors--Interviews.
• Interviews.
• Journalism--Political aspects.
• Journalism--Social aspects.
• Journalists--Interviews.
• La Brie, Henry G., interviewer.--http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/ivr
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Pittsburgh (Pa.)--Newspapers.
• Pittsburgh courier.
• Schuyler, George S. (George Samuel), 1895-1977--Interviews.
• United States--Race relations.
• United States. National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders.--Report.