Ebony, Jet Publisher John H. Johnson Dies

[xultar]

Ebony, Jet Publisher John H. Johnson Dies
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050808/ap_en_bu/obit_johnson
By HERBERT G. McCANN, Associated Press Writer 38 minutes ago

CHICAGO - Publisher John H. Johnson, whose Ebony and Jet magazines countered stereotypical coverage of blacks after World War II and turned him into one of the most influential black leaders in America, died Monday, his company said. He was 87.

LaTrina Blair, promotions manager with Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Co., confirmed Johnson's death. Further details were not immediately available.

Johnson broke new ground by bringing positive portrayals of blacks into a mass-market publication and encouraging corporations to use black models in advertising aimed at black consumers.

Born into an impoverished family in Arkansas, Johnson went into business with a $500 loan secured by his mother's furniture and built a publishing and cosmetics empire.

[divineorder]

1. Jet and Ebony

Was a vital source of positive information about black people when I was growing up. In the 1960's seeing black people on TV was very, very rare indeed, and getting info was even more so. Jet would fill in the gaps for show biz information, and Ebony was like our Time/Life/Look magazine. I would get my hair done, and it wasn't uncommon to see several years of Jet and Ebony on the table. People wouldn't even think of throwing away old copies: Sometimes I found copies from the 1950's still out.

And the pictures! And it was glossy! There were black newspapers, but most of the coverage was local and politically-based. These were national in scope. Later, Essence was like our very own Good Housekeeping and Vogue combined. And the Ebony Fashion Show, with all of the latest fashions, and the first ads for cosmetics, for just about anything....

[qanda]

2. RIP Mr. Johnson

Your contribution to America will never be forgotten.

[lalajohns]

3. May His Soul Rest in Peace

[rocktivity]

4. Tell me why I don't like Mondays.

Peter Jennings, Robert Cook, now this?

Ebony was a staple in my home when I grew up, and I have many fond memories of having to rip them out of the mailbox. RIP, and thanks helping this black writer feel that she could be legitmate.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Catherine Vincent]

5. Rest in Peace, Mr. Johnson.

You were an inspiration. Thank you.

[ConfuZed]

6. God bless him

:patriot: :cry:

[Blue_Tires]

7. ttt

very sad

[xultar]

8. I will be protesting this move from LBN.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

12. they moved my earlier thread from LBN also-why??

does DU not think the death of the publisher of one of the u.s.'s biggest and most influential magzine's is newsworthy?

[xultar]

13. That's what I'm saying. I'M SOOOO ANGRY!!!

[tishaLA]

14. I guess only Peter Jennings gets that treatment

Frankly, I thought Luther's death deserved to be in LBN too. Maybe if he were Cobain.

[xultar]

15. Agreed!

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

16. my thread i tried to start

that's two they've moved

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1686803

[tishaLA]

9. RIP Mr. Johnson

What a loss

[xultar]

10. KICK - Please help me keep this kicked. For some reason it was moved

from LBN!!

We lose a influental Black publisher and it isn't LBN?

Come on people!!

[xultar]

11. KICK - Please help me keep this kicked. For some reason it was moved

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

17. yet these were allowed

and are on the front page there:

NYT: GM Thrives in China With Small, Thrifty Vans (but creative exec gone) DeepModem Mom Tue Aug-09-05 04:03 AM 2

AP: Artist to 'Re-Create' Laser Buddhas (Destroyed by Taliban) truthpusher Tue Aug-09-05 03:33 AM 21

[xultar]

18. KICK!!!

[xultar]

19. KICK!!!

[xultar]

20. KICK!!!

[xultar]

21. KICK - Please help me keep this kicked. For some reason it was moved

[Technowitch]

22. Locking

Because it's become a thread for complaining about the move from LBN. Questions or complaints about forum policy should be directed to the Admins, who can be reached here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/contact.html

Xultar -- you are welcome to repost a fresh thread here in GD on this topic, but please omit any Moderator callouts or the thread is at risk of being locked again or removed entirely.

Thank you,
Technowitch
DU Moderator