Arizona's Negro Journal

A. Emerson Foster started the weekly African American newspaper, Arizona’s Negro Journal, in Tucson, Arizona in June 1942. The paper featured the following slogan on its masthead, “Firm In The Grip Of Public Confidence.” Later, the slogan, “Civic Pride, Political Prowess, Religious Sincerity” was added.

The first issue of the newspaper was published on June 12, 1942 and contained the following statement from Foster, “We, in our endeavor to bring to the citizenry of Tucson a Negro newspaper of ideas and ideal, fitted in as a part of our human society plan to practice for achievement, perfect organization, human relationship and a chartered path that will illuminate with the brilliance of thought and action in harmony for the most concerned.”

The newspaper frequently reported on happenings at Fort Huachuca, Arizona located 57 miles southeast of Tucson. Fort Huachuca was home to two all African American Divisions, the 92nd Infantry Division and the 93rd Infantry Division. The Arizona Negro Journal urged for the utilization of black troops in the war effort. An editorial dated September 11, 1942 stated, “If the United States Government refuses to enforce fair and equal treatment for all of the men who are a part of its fighting forces, how then can it expect to enforce the President’s executive order demanding that private industry does not discriminate against workers on account of color?” This referred to Executive Order 8802, issued by President Roosevelt, banning discriminatory employment practices by Federal agencies and all unions and companies engaged in war-related work. Examples of discrimination were prevalent in Tucson as illustrated in the article titled, “Lyric Theatre Refuses Negro Soldiers Seats.”

A notice printed on the front page of the July 17, 1942 issue stated, “The policies of this paper are guided by common sense and the urgent but necessary fight for progressive measures for the Negro race.”

The newspaper featured a regular column, “The Social Whirl”, written by Society Editor, Miss Laura Nobles, as well as a regular feature called, “Go to Church Every Sunday,” which listed local church services and church news. The paper’s Associate Editor was F. Albert Young. The short-lived newspaper ceased publication in 1943.