Explore Black History

1966

Freedomways magazine ran for twenty-five years from 1961 to 1985. Released quarterly during that time, Freedomways was a leading African American theoretical, cultural, and political journal tackling major social and political issues, especially the Civil Rights Movement. The journal’s founders, led by editor Esther Jackson, included Louis Burnham, Edward Strong, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Shirley Graham Du Bois. Under Jackson’s direction, Freedomways became the leading radical Black left publication that gave a platform to veteran and newer writers, thinkers, activists, artists, and educators. The periodical ran their works and tackled issues of progressive politics, civil rights, colonialism, Pan-Africanism, prison and justice reform, education activism, art, literature, poetry, and urban decay.

An issue of Freedomways magazine, Volume 6, Number 4, for Fall, Winter 1966.
The front cover has an off-white background with white type at the top that reads: [Freedomways / A QUARTERLY REVIEW OF THE NEGRO FREEDOM MOVEMENT]. The cover features a charcoal-colored drawing of a young woman seated and reading a book in her lap. She is depicted with short, curled hair, wears a white long-sleeve shirt, plaid skirt, tights, and black loafers. To the right of the drawing in black type is a list of articles featured in this issue: [COLONIALISM and the NEGRO / AMERICAN EXPERIENCE / J. H. O’Dell / CHICAGO NEGRO LABOR / and CIVIL RIGHTS / Time Black / Special Section / In Memory of Eslanda Robeson / Cartoons by / BRUMSIC BRANDON / Book ReviewsPoetry / Cover Art by John Devine / Vol. 6 No. 4 Fall 1966 (Fourth Quarter) $1.00]. At the bottom left corner of the cover is a captioned quote by W.E.B. Du Bois, from “The Crisis”, 1912, which reads: [We know that as the world grows better / there will be realized in our children’s lives / that for which we fight unfalteringly.”].
The interior pages, numbered 293 to 396, are white paper with black ink. The pages include articles, book reviews, illustrations, poetry, cartoons, and advertisements.
The back of the magazine has an off-white background and features a charcoal-colored drawing named “Flying Fish” by Charles White. The black type below the art reads: [Charles White is an artist of world renown who has won / many awards and prizes; one comes away from his portfolio with the feeling that the drawings have a universality which transcends the various schools of art and which / will withstand the merciless test of time. / Ten beautiful lithographs (including the one above) / 17 x 22, ideal for framing. $12.50 a set including postage. / On sale at FREEDOMWAYS, 799 Broadway, New York, 10003.]

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Books and Published Materials

Civil Rights Movement

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Maurice Jackson

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2021.20.3

magazines (periodicals)

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ink on paper with metal

H x W x D: 9 1/8 × 6 1/16 × 3/8 in. (23.1 × 15.4 × 1 cm)

Title • Freedomways Vol. 6 No. 4

nmaahc_2021.20.3

NMAAHC

FREEDOMWAYS VOL. 6 NO. 4

National Museum of African American History and Culture

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1960s

Devine, John • White, Charles • Brandon, Brumsic • Black, Timuel • Jackson, Esther Cooper • O'Dell, Jack • Robeson, Eslanda Goode • Freedomways Associates, Inc. • Lincoln, C. Eric • Clarke, John Henrik • Kaiser, Ernest D.

New York City • Viet Nam • United States • Chicago • Asia • North and Central America • Illinois

Activism • Art • Literature • Black Press • Colonies • Labor unions • Civil Rights • Vietnam War, 1961-1975 • Civil rights • Poetry • Politics • Caricature and cartoons

City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Chicago • State • Illinois • Country • Viet Nam • Continent • Asia

Images

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