{"product_id":"eye-on-the-struggle-ethel-payne-the-first-lady-of-the-black-press-isbn-9780062198853","title":"Eye on the Struggle: Ethel Payne, the First Lady of the Black Press","description":"\u003cp\u003eAcclaimed biographer James McGrath Morris brings into focus the riveting life of one of the most significant yet least known figures of the civil rights era—pioneering journalist Ethel Payne, the “First Lady of the Black Press”—elevating her to her rightful place in history at last.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor decades, Ethel Lois Payne has been hidden in the shadows of history. Now, James McGrath Morris skillfully illuminates this ambitious, influential, and groundbreaking woman’s life, from her childhood growing up in South Chicago to her career as a journalist and network news commentator, reporting on some of the most crucial events in modern American history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMorris draws on a rich and untapped collection of Payne’s personal papers documenting her private and professional affairs. He combed through oral histories, FBI documents, and newspapers to fully capture Payne’s life, her achievements, and her legacy. He introduces us to a journalist who covered such events as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock school desegregation crisis, the service of black troops in Vietnam, and Henry Kissinger’s 26,000-mile tour of Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA self-proclaimed “instrument of change” for her people, Payne broke new ground as the Washington correspondent for the \u003cem\u003eChicago Defender\u003c\/em\u003e. She publicly prodded President Dwight D. Eisenhower to support desegregation, and her reporting on legislative and judicial civil rights battles enlightened and activated black readers across the nation. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson recognized Payne’s seminal role by presenting her with a pen used in signing the Civil Rights Act. In 1972, she became the first female African American radio and television commentator on a national network, working for CBS. Her story mirrors the evolution of our own modern society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInspiring and instructive, moving and comprehensive, \u003cem\u003eEye on the Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e illuminates this extraordinary woman and her achievements, and reminds us of the power one person has to transform our lives and our world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith 16 pages of black-and-white photos.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003eIn this groundbreaking biography, celebrated author James McGrath Morris skillfully illuminates the life and accomplishments of pioneering journalist Ethel Lois Payne, while also bringing to the fore the critical role of the black press in the civil rights era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePayne used her journalistic skills as the Washington correspondent for the \u003cem\u003eChicago Defender\u003c\/em\u003e to elevate civil rights issues to the national agenda. In the 1950s and 1960s, she raised challenging questions at presidential press conferences about matters of importance to African Americans and the emerging civil rights movement. A self-proclaimed \"instrument of change,\" she publicly prodded President Dwight D. Eisenhower to support desegregation, and her reporting on legislative and judicial civil rights battles enlightened and motivated black readers. At some considerable personal risk, Payne covered such events as the Montgomery bus boycott, the desegregation of the University of Alabama, and the Little Rock school crisis. She also traveled overseas to write about the service of black troops in Vietnam and accompanied American leaders on diplomatic missions to Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresident Lyndon B. Johnson recognized Payne's seminal role by presenting her with pens used in the signing of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. As a trailblazing black woman in an industry domi-nated by white men, she capped her career by becoming the first female African American radio and television commentator on a national network, working for CBS.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthel Payne's unassuming style of journalism was a key to her success. From Alabama to Ghana, from Indonesia to Vietnam, Payne's reporting eschewed the emotionless objective style coveted by mainstream publications of her time. She became for many black Americans their eyes on the frontlines of the struggle for equality in Washington, in the South, and in Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe white and black presses, operating in parallel worlds, saw events differently. The white press was quick to portray civil rights legislation as munificent gifts bestowed on American blacks, while Payne's reporting focused on the failures of legislation to grant African Americans the equality that rightfully belonged to them. Ethel Payne's life and work offers readers an opportunity to see the historic events of the civil rights era through her eyes. Inspiring and instructive, moving and enlightening, \u003cem\u003eEye on the Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates this extraordinary woman and her achievements—and reminds us of the power one person has to transform our lives and our world.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“…James McGrath Morris lifts Ethel Payne from relative obscurity revealing a fearless, intrepid journalist who covered practically every important event of her day…” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHerb Boyd, National Association of Black Journalist, Hall of Fame, inductee\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Afast-paced tour through the highlights of 20th-century African-American history, with Payne as witness.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBoston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“It is through Payne’s eyes that author James McGrath Morris deftly shows us the history of post-World War II America.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMinneapolis Star Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A riveting biography of a groundbreaking African American journalist . . . In James McGrath Morris’s compelling biography Eye on the Struggle, this ‘first lady of the black press’ finally gets her due.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eO, the Oprah Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[A] beautifully written and carefully researched new book.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eChicago Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Biographer James McGrath Morris pulls back the curtain on an often overlooked figure of the civil rights movement with \u003ci\u003eEye on the Struggle: Ethel Payne, the First Lady of the Black Press.\u003c\/i\u003e” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFort Worth Star-Telegram\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Besides reclaiming an important figure in American journalism, \u003ci\u003eEyes on the Struggle\u003c\/i\u003e offers historical context for the journalistic role that alternative media play in current civil rights movements. . . His quest not only recounts a storied life but also reminds readers of the historic centrality of alternative media in social change.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJournal of American History\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Morris is not only insightful, but also wise…” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDallas Morning News\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Morris has written a fast-paced, engrossing biography…” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe rich use of sources and glimpses of Payne’s personal life will engage readers interested in civil rights, journalism, and women’s history.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e[An] important and often absorbing new book . . . It’s a deep pleasure to meet Ethel Payne. ‘We are soul folks,’ she declared in 1967, ‘and I am writing for soul brothers’ consumption.’ Her own soul beams from this book. - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A well-researched, detailed look at the life of a pioneering journalist.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Washington Independent Review of Books\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[A] groundbreaking biography” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKamWilliams.com\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A deeply researched, skillfully written biography about a previously underappreciated individual.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“James McGrath Morris’s eloquent book - quite a feat of historical excavation into the black press as well - should bring her many new admirers.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWil Haygood, author of the bestselling,The Butler: A Witness to History\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eEye on the Struggle\u003c\/i\u003e James McGrath Morris lifts Ethel Payne from relative obscurity revealing a fearless, intrepid journalist who covered practically every important event of her day, whether at home in the heat of the civil rights movement or traveling abroad to Africa and Asia. ” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHerb Boyd, author of Brotherman and Baldwin's Harlem\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eEye on the Struggle\u003c\/i\u003e is an incredibly important act of historical recovery. James McGrath Morris’ penetratingly insightful biography of Ethel Payne takes us into the world of the civil rights era black press through the eyes of one its trailblazing journalists.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePeniel E. Joseph, author of Waiting Til the Midnight Hour and Stokely  Peniel E. Joseph, author of Waiting Til the Midnight Hour and Stokely\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A debt of gratitude is due James McGrath Morris for bringing the remarkable life of Ethel Payne out of the shadows.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePamela Newkirk, author of,Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Morris’s research on Payne is meticulous…” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthel Payne was a pioneer who experienced the challenges but little of the glory that comes with the title. With this book, her legacy is assured. - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePaula J. Giddings, author of Ida, A Sword Among Lions: Ida B. Wells and the Campaign Against Lynching\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amistad","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888695800037,"sku":"NP9780062198853","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062198853.jpg?v=1730229640","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/eye-on-the-struggle-ethel-payne-the-first-lady-of-the-black-press-isbn-9780062198853","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}