Black Journalists: The Nabj Story

I just finished reading, "The NABJ Story", by Wayne Dawkins. I was stunned by all the background information that helped me understand how and why the organization started, how it has progressed to the organization it is today and the challenges faced along the way.

Needed to add a Part 2 after I read the other reviews. The other reviews appear to be from members of NABJ and rightfully so remark how the book gives a wonderful history of the organization. I'm not a member of NABJ, so to the readers who are not, do not think this book is just about the organization. It's about history. As Taylor Branch did with civil rights and 'Parting the Waters', you cannot write a complete history of a group, or event, or organization, without telling the story of the people. Dawkins does that and more. Again a must read for anyone who wants to understand.

In a week of Ronald Reagan's death coverage, the public has witnessed decades of history. And in this coverage the unilaterally significant importance of those who bring us news and information has become even more apparent and poignant. Consider how much we would know if there were no newspapers or magazines, television, or computer? No word, but word of mouth. How much would we actually know?The burden and responsibility of being a bear of 'word' is awesome, not to be taken lightly or too seriously. Just taken. It cannot be black or white, there must be gray. It cannot be one dimensional, voices of all must be heard, considered, discarded, reviewed, discussed, concluded. In a book of 255 pages, Wayne Dawkins tells the shaping of America's history through heroes often unsung and maligned - this country's black disciples - the journalists. God is this book good. I sobbed over what Dawkins has taken the time to give us. Knowledge of who we are and how we were shaped and why. An easy read, however, like the blues and a smooth glass of wine, you find yourself wanting to savor the importance and humility and arrogance contained within these pages.Sorry if I gush. But in a world of reality tv, celebrity stalking, and other superficialities, as you read and reread this book (yes, I'm going to pick it up again) you begin to ponder the positive and negative role these writers and other journalists take positively and negatively shaping our world And more importantly the role we play or abdicate in this surreality.Truly a historical and underrated tome. Please please read and pass on. This should be required reading for everyone, EVERYONE!!

For years I had planned on reading this book, but never took the time to do so. I am glad now that I have had the chance to. The book was great. Me being a person big on history and origin, I have a newfound understanding on the beginning years of NABJ. Also, being an active member of the organization, I can look back and see the similarities between the past and present, how things have changed and what things still plague NABJ.I was however disappointed at where it ended, and I look forward to receiving the next installment.

I like this book. I wish I had read this book before or shortly after I joined NABJ. That's because the book serves as a useful tool to navigate the politically charged organization. It gives you insights on who is connected to whom and who rivals whom. The story not only serves as a guide for the novice or the unaware, it is riveting. I also laughed out loud and felt inspired after reading it. It is an easy read because of the clear, crisp sentences, which propelled me along this fascinating journey with men and women who had strong convictions and the courage to lead.