Emigration vs. Assimilation: The Debate in the African American Press, 1827-1861

From 1827 to 1861, most Africans in America were either enslaved, propertyless, or without citizenship. Yet during that period, at least 28 African American newspapers were published, serving as a vital voice for a marginalized community.

Perhaps the most frequent and controversial topic of debate in these papers was the tension between emigration and assimilation. Editors of the Black press influenced the self-view of countless individuals by weighing two primary paths:

• Emigration: Should Blacks in America relocate to Africa, the Caribbean, or Canada?
• Assimilation: Should they continue their quest for integration and rights within American culture?

This historical study examines how early African American newspapers acted as a forum for intellectual resistance and identity formation during a time of systemic disenfranchisement.