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Black History and Blacks in U.S. History

Ebony Magazine

Ebony Magazine
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   7.29

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    appreciation, bombings, circulation, economic, protesters, reconstruction, selection, self-respect, theaters, Well-written, motivate, society, businessman, slavery, odds, homeland
     content words:    John H., World War II, John Johnson, United States, Reverend Martin Luther King, Moneta Sleet, Pulitzer Prize, General Colin Powell, Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali

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Ebony Magazine
By Jane Runyon 		  
1     John H. Johnson was a young, black businessman back in 1945. He watched young, black G.I.'s returning from World War II. He saw confusion on their faces. They had fought bravely for their country in Europe and in Asia. They were a respected and essential part of the military. Now they were returning to a homeland that in many cases still did not accept them as citizens. The South still recognized "White Only" areas in restaurants, theaters, and even schools.
 
2     John Johnson believed in his race. He believed that blacks were people who deserved respect. He believed that blacks needed a new sense of self-respect. He wanted to motivate his people to reach for new heights of success. He concluded that the way to reach his goal was through a magazine designed for the black population. That magazine would be called Ebony.
 
3     Ebony would be a place to find positive black role models. Johnson wanted large, dramatic photographs. He wanted articles about blacks who had overcome great odds to find a place in society. This magazine would be a resource for its readers. Useful ideas and plans of action would be made available to anyone interested enough to read the articles.

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