There was a recent article in the Suburban Journal - North Edition about pianist, Kris Brown and myself and our 30 years of playing jazz music and our band, "Black Shirt" (with Eric Hutchinson on bass guitar) celebrating 15 years of making music.
When we did the interview for the article with SJ columnist Scott Bandle, I asked him where I could get a copy of the paper when it was released. I told him that it used to be delivered to my home each Wednesday, but now I read it online, as I do all of the publications in our area. Scott informed me that the paper went on sale recently and that it cost 50¢ at some of our local convenience stores. I thought that was interesting, because RiverCity Examiner newspapers recently went on sale for 50¢ at some local Black owned and operated businesses after being a free paper for a little over a year. The idea of going from a free paper to selling editions prompted a conversation with my "Black Shirt" colleagues about my decision being based on the fact that for my publication, "freedom ain't free."
I told them that when Black publications began basing their revenue on White advertisement dollars and distributed their papers for free, they sold out the ENTIRE premise of what John Russworm (editor) had established with Freedom's Journal, the first Black newspaper in America. Ironically, these so-called 'free' publications celebrate themselves annually with a big convention at which one of the publications is presented a John Russworm Award for 'excellence.' I'm sure that Mr. Russworm turns over in his grave with contempt every year with this insult to his name. I'm no hater, I'm just "keeping it real."
I sell my paper, because with what I publish, I could never, nor would I ever want to DEPEND on White advertisement money for my publication's existence. I'm sure that some White advertisers despise the idea as well. More than anything, I want to educate my people on supporting our own Black newspapers so that they can be BLACK newspapers.
I admit that I have a unique situation, which allows for me to say what I want and not have to succumb to the desperate need for White financing through advertising. I've studied graphic design, layout, web design, photography, video production/editing and writing, so I can run my publication COMPLETELY by myself and from my laptop. I don't even need an actual building to operate from. A number of new young companies across the country are being run in this way in these days.
Because FREEDOM AIN'T FREE, I work on many days for 16 hours (also as executive director of the youth musical charitable foundation, Show-Me Sound Organization). I work like a "freed slave" for my businesses and I believe that those who put themselves in positions of need of White support are NOT free men.
I have the "freedom" to publish what I believe and what no other Black publications would dare to consider. It's called the TRUTH. Even if the truth calls for me to challenge the reasoning of some of our brothers who deal in manners that are contrary to the interest of our community (Bootlickers), it is what it is. If you, a Black man/woman publishing a newspaper, have to consider what your White advertisers will think about what your paper contains, even in the light of the first amendment of the constitution of the United States, then you still are wearing the shackles of the past.
Even with these freedoms that I appreciate and respect, something that I would never publish are prison photos for "Black entertainment" in my desire to sell papers. I find it degrading to us as Black people and don't see a damned thing funny or entertaining about it. But, it speaks of those "shyster negroes" who will sell anything, including the human dignity of us as people, for some money. (There are PLENTY of those, by the way). The Whites that buy that trash do so to further affirm their negative perceptions of Black people. But, in fairness, there are also those among us with a desire for this type of degradation buying the paper. My brother Michael has said to me, "Only in St. Louis, could a paper that shows the worst about Black people sell so well. We have a special kind of negro in this city; the seller and the buyer."
The tide seems to be turning though. As I watch the "shysters" (Black and White) work in concert to bolster the validity of their "Negro Propaganda" publications, which are set up to trick Black people into believing whatever forwards their agenda, I bask in the joy of the fact that the truth will ALWAYS come to light eventually. Many of the culprits are getting old and fading. I'm 45, focused and driven, knowing that it won't be much longer.
There are more and more people finding the RiverCity Examiner. Many are calling it "Our ONLY BLACK publication." I appreciate that. It sells for just 50¢ and is worth a fortune to the community, because of its undeniable FREEDOM.
Home
When we did the interview for the article with SJ columnist Scott Bandle, I asked him where I could get a copy of the paper when it was released. I told him that it used to be delivered to my home each Wednesday, but now I read it online, as I do all of the publications in our area. Scott informed me that the paper went on sale recently and that it cost 50¢ at some of our local convenience stores. I thought that was interesting, because RiverCity Examiner newspapers recently went on sale for 50¢ at some local Black owned and operated businesses after being a free paper for a little over a year. The idea of going from a free paper to selling editions prompted a conversation with my "Black Shirt" colleagues about my decision being based on the fact that for my publication, "freedom ain't free."
I told them that when Black publications began basing their revenue on White advertisement dollars and distributed their papers for free, they sold out the ENTIRE premise of what John Russworm (editor) had established with Freedom's Journal, the first Black newspaper in America. Ironically, these so-called 'free' publications celebrate themselves annually with a big convention at which one of the publications is presented a John Russworm Award for 'excellence.' I'm sure that Mr. Russworm turns over in his grave with contempt every year with this insult to his name. I'm no hater, I'm just "keeping it real."
I sell my paper, because with what I publish, I could never, nor would I ever want to DEPEND on White advertisement money for my publication's existence. I'm sure that some White advertisers despise the idea as well. More than anything, I want to educate my people on supporting our own Black newspapers so that they can be BLACK newspapers.
I admit that I have a unique situation, which allows for me to say what I want and not have to succumb to the desperate need for White financing through advertising. I've studied graphic design, layout, web design, photography, video production/editing and writing, so I can run my publication COMPLETELY by myself and from my laptop. I don't even need an actual building to operate from. A number of new young companies across the country are being run in this way in these days.
Because FREEDOM AIN'T FREE, I work on many days for 16 hours (also as executive director of the youth musical charitable foundation, Show-Me Sound Organization). I work like a "freed slave" for my businesses and I believe that those who put themselves in positions of need of White support are NOT free men.
I have the "freedom" to publish what I believe and what no other Black publications would dare to consider. It's called the TRUTH. Even if the truth calls for me to challenge the reasoning of some of our brothers who deal in manners that are contrary to the interest of our community (Bootlickers), it is what it is. If you, a Black man/woman publishing a newspaper, have to consider what your White advertisers will think about what your paper contains, even in the light of the first amendment of the constitution of the United States, then you still are wearing the shackles of the past.
Even with these freedoms that I appreciate and respect, something that I would never publish are prison photos for "Black entertainment" in my desire to sell papers. I find it degrading to us as Black people and don't see a damned thing funny or entertaining about it. But, it speaks of those "shyster negroes" who will sell anything, including the human dignity of us as people, for some money. (There are PLENTY of those, by the way). The Whites that buy that trash do so to further affirm their negative perceptions of Black people. But, in fairness, there are also those among us with a desire for this type of degradation buying the paper. My brother Michael has said to me, "Only in St. Louis, could a paper that shows the worst about Black people sell so well. We have a special kind of negro in this city; the seller and the buyer."
The tide seems to be turning though. As I watch the "shysters" (Black and White) work in concert to bolster the validity of their "Negro Propaganda" publications, which are set up to trick Black people into believing whatever forwards their agenda, I bask in the joy of the fact that the truth will ALWAYS come to light eventually. Many of the culprits are getting old and fading. I'm 45, focused and driven, knowing that it won't be much longer.
There are more and more people finding the RiverCity Examiner. Many are calling it "Our ONLY BLACK publication." I appreciate that. It sells for just 50¢ and is worth a fortune to the community, because of its undeniable FREEDOM.