On View
Making a Way Gallery
Exhibition
Making a Way Out of No Way
Written by
Rev. Abernathy, Ralph David, American, 1926 - 1990
Published by
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, American, founded 1957
Edited by
Billingslea, Alma Jean, American, born 1946
Photograph by
Tomlin, Elaine, American, died 1995
Subject of
Rev. King, Martin Luther Sr, American, 1899 - 1984
Rev. Dr. Walker, Wyatt Tee, American, 1929 - 2018
Date
January 1971
Medium
ink on newsprint
Dimensions
H x W (Closed): 15 9/16 × 11 3/8 in. (39.5 × 28.9 cm)
H x W (Open): 15 9/16 × 22 3/4 in. (39.5 × 57.8 cm)
H x W (Stored): 8 1/8 × 11 1/2 in. (20.6 × 29.2 cm)
Description
Soul Force newsletter, volume 3, number 3. The newsletter is printed on newsprint paper with black type. The newsletter is folded together but not stapled. The front cover features a black-and-white photomontage of three photographs of Martin Luther King, Jr and a fourth photograph of his funeral procession. The photograph in the top left corner features King surrounded by a crowd of teenagers. King’s body is turned towards the viewer, but his head is turned, and he is smiling at a girl on the left side of the photograph with his hand resting on her arm. The photograph on the top right is a close-up of King. He is wearing a dark suit, white dress shirt, and a dark tone tie. He appears to be speaking. The photograph on the bottom left depicts King hugging a child. He is wearing a dark coat and is holding his hat in his proper left had but has both arms wrapped around the child. Two women, one in a nun’s habit, stand in the background. The photograph in the bottom right corner is of King’s funeral procession on April 9, 1968. The photograph depicts the procession being led by casket on mule-drawn wagon. The wagon is surrounded by men who have their hands resting on the sides and back. Printed above the photomontage is black text that reads “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to / the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright day daylight / of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.” Printed in the top third of the front cover is the magazine’s masthead. At the top is the magazine’s name in large text that reads [soul force]. Below are two lines of small text divided by black lines that read [“TO REDEEM THE SOUL OF AMERICA” / JANUARY, 1971 OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Vol. 3 No. 3]. The newsletter is four (4) pages, including the front and back cover, with articles and black-and-white images printed throughout. Articles titles include: [people’s day], a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.; [STATE OF A NATION] by Dr. Ralph Abernathy; [WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP CELEBRATE JANUARY 15TH?]; [WORLD CONFERENCE ON RELIGION, KYOTO, JAPAN], [LETTUCE BOYCOTT], and [STRIKE]. The first page, located on the interior of front cover, lists the Editorial Board members, editorial staff names, and press names, along with the volume and issue number. Printed on page three is the list of the Dr. Martin Luther King Legal Holiday Committee. The back cover is page four, and it includes three news items, a notice of postage paid, and printed in the bottom right corner, is a small, fillable magazine subscription form.
Place printed
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Political and Activist Ephemera
Type
newsletters
Topic
Activism
American South
Communication
Government
Labor
Religion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.130.4
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b110f0d5-a7f9-435d-9d83-5bdde673db7b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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