Wilbert 'Bill' Tatum: Black Journalist

[nattyreb]

Wilbert 'Bill' Tatum: Black Journalist
[col. writ. 3/14/09] (c) '09 Mumia Abu-Jamal


Wilbert 'Bill' Tatum was a Black journalist, first, last and always -- as writer, columnist, editor and publisher of the New York Amsterdam News.

Tatum, who recently died at 76 while vacationing with his wife, Susan, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, was no longer the paper's publisher, but he was always a presence there.

His daughter, Elinor, succeeded him years ago as the editor and publisher, and spoke succinctly and eloquently of her father's accomplishments when she said, "My father understood what being a Black journalist in America was about and knew he had to fight for every single journalist of color. He also had to speak to the general public about Black America and he told stories no one else would and he stood up for what he believed in" (Jet magazine, Mar. 16, 2009, p.28)

Under Tatum, the Amsterdam News was a site where many in the nationalist, radical and cultural community could tell their stories, and that included everything from the Nation of Islam to the Five Percenters; from ex members of the Black Panther Party to the New Black Panther Party. The energetic N. Y. Caribbean and continental African communities had a voice there -- all part of New York's expansive Black community in all of its flavors.

Tatum did what has been rare for Black journalists -- the creation of journalistic institutions that continue to carry on.

Tatum's legacy will long be remembered.

--(c) '09 maj
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The Power of Truth is Final -- Free Mumia!

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Mumia Abu-Jamal's new book -- JAILHOUSE LAWYERS: PRISONERS DEFENDING PRISONERS V. THE USA, featuring an introduction by Angela Y. Davis -- will be released soon! It will be available from City Lights Books at a 30% discount weeks before you can get it at any other bookstore, or from Amazon. Sign up for an email alert and when the book becomes available for sale you'll receive an email letting you know: Jailhouse Lawyers, Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A.
In support of Mumia and the publication of JAILHOUSE LAWYERS, organizations around the country will be holding "More Than a Book Party" events on or around Mumia's birthday, April 24, 2009. If you are planning to organize an event or would like to order in bulk, you can also receive a 45% discount on any bulk orders of 20 copies or more. The book retails for $16.95, for orders of 20 copies or more the discounted price would be $9.32 per book, plus shipping and handling. Prepayment would be required and books are nonreturnable. If you or your organization would like to place a bulk order, please contact Stacey Lewis at 415.362.1901 or stacey@citylights.com

Let's use the opportunity of the publication of this brilliant, moving, vintage Mumia book to build the momentum for his case, to raise the money we desperately need in these challenging economic times, to get the word out – to produce literature, flyers, posters, videos, DVD's; to send organizers out to help build new chapters and strengthen old ones, TO GET THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS … all the work that we must do in order to FREE MUMIA as he faces LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE OR EXECUTION!
Please make a contribution to help free Mumia. Donations to the grassroots work will go to both INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL and the FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL COALITION (NYC).

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition, NYC

Please mail donations/ checks to:
FREE MUMIA ABU JAMAL COALITION
PO BOX 16, NEW YORK,
NY 10030
(CHECKS FOR BOTH ORGANIZATIONS PAYABLE TO: FMAJC/IFCO)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
215 476-8812
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WE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM CAN *NOT* REST!!