History

Has Black Media Changed? Shocking JET Magazine Covers From 1952

JET Magazine wad founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois. During its beginning, it was marketed as “The Weekly Negro News Magazine” and is famous for its role in covering the Civil Rights movement, including coverage of the Emmett Till murder, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Before the internet and especially during the 50s and 60s Jet became one of the great mediums of connecting Black culture across the United States in all of its aspects; entertainment, opinions, politics, and fashion.

We have compiled a slideshow of all of the JET covers from 1952, the magazine’s second year of existence. Many of the headlines might shock you because of their blatant internalized racism and sexism but you have to realize they are a reflection of society during those times. These titles give a great lens with which one can understand what was important to Blacks during these times.

What differences do you see between media targeted at Blacks today and that of 1952? Let us know in the comment section.

Click on the arrows below to see the slideshow.