Highbrow Magazine - ebony magazine https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/ebony-magazine en End of an Era: ‘Ebony’ and ‘Jet’ Magazines Have Been Sold https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5877-end-era-ebony-and-jet-magazines-have-been-sold <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/media" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Media</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Sun, 06/19/2016 - 18:50</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1ebony_0.jpg?itok=C6Fxyga0"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1ebony_0.jpg?itok=C6Fxyga0" width="370" height="480" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><strong>From <a href="http://www.northstarnewstoday.com/business/ebony-jet-magazines-sold/">North Star News</a> and republished by our content partner New America Media</strong>:</p> <p> </p> <p>Johnson Publishing Co. of Chicago has sold <em>Ebony</em> and <em>Jet</em> magazines for an undisclosed price to Clear View Group LLC, an Austin, Texas-based private equity firm, to pay down debt and to concentrate on Fashion Fair Cosmetics.</p> <p> </p> <p>“This deal allows JPC to reduce its debt associated with the media business and focus its attention on the archives and continue to invest in its cosmetics business, Fashion Fair Cosmetics,” company officials said in a series of quotes and unattributed statements but not a news release printed on the company’s letterhead announcing the sale of <em>Ebony </em>and Jet.</p> <p> </p> <p>The deal, which was signed in May and disclosed Tuesday, includes the assumption of JPC’s debt. It also continues the dismantling of Johnson Publishing Co., an iconic black-owned business founded in 1942 by brilliant entrepreneur John H. Johnson with the publication of “Negro Digest.” Mr. Johnson died in 2005. Even the name Johnson Publishing Co. may eventually disappear.</p> <p> </p> <p>The company once owned a book division and a radio station. Mr. Johnson also was chairman of Supreme Life Insurance Co.</p> <p> </p> <p>In 2010, Columbia College of Chicago purchased for its library Johnson Publishing Company’s 11-story headquarters on Chicago’s South Michigan Avenue .</p> <p> </p> <p>Johnson Publishing sold the building to pay down debt, mostly owed to RR Donnelley, the Chicago-based printing company. <em>Ebony</em> and <em>Jet </em>magazines moved out of its headquarters in 2012 and Columbia College never moved in. Now the building, which was Mr. Johnson’s pride and joy, is again up for sale. The company is still trying to sell its archival photo collection.</p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2ebony_0.jpg" style="height:452px; width:339px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>To shore its sagging finances, JPC took on a big partner. JP Morgan Chase, the nation’s largest and the world’s ninth largest bank based on assets, is the company’s  part owner.</p> <p> </p> <p>Mr. Johnson founded <em>Ebony</em>, a monthly magazine, in 1945 and <em>Jet</em>, a popular pocketbook size news weekly with short one-paragraph stories in 1951. Jet published in every weekly issue a centerfold of scantly clad black woman, which was popular with readers. <em>Jet</em>, a quick read, is now sold only online.  When blacks mention a black news magazine, they first mention <em>Je</em>t.</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Ebony</em>, however, was JPC’s moneymaker. Its initial run of 25,000 copies quickly sold out. At one time <em>Ebony</em> was on the coffee tables of every black home in America. It reported on African-American life ignored by the white press. <em>Ebony</em> still has a monthly circulation of 9.3 million, according to the company’s website.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lately, <em>Ebony</em> and <em>Jet</em> have struggled against digital competitors. The deal to sell <em>Ebony </em>and <em>Jet</em> to Clear View Group follows a rumored failed attempt by businessman and former Los Angeles Laker star Erving “Magic” Johnson to buy the company and to move it to Los Angeles.</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Ebony</em> and <em>Jet</em> will become part of Ebony Media, which will be based in Chicago. Linda Rice Johnson will serve as chairman emeritus and a board member of Ebony Media.</p> <p> </p> <p>“We are excited about the future of Ebony Media and the opportunity to position the enterprise for long-term growth,” Michael Gibson, CEO of Clear View Group and chairman of Ebony Media, said in a statement. “Our team has a true understanding of the Ebony brand as well as its legacy, and is committed to providing its audience with premium content across all media platforms.”</p> <p> </p> <p>Clear View Group was reportedly based in Austin but the company was not listed online and it couldn’t be found through Austin telephone directory assistance.</p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/3ebony.jpg" style="height:488px; width:345px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>After several calls to an outside company spokeswoman, she said the firm’s telephone number is 713-513-7141. The number, however, doesn’t answer Clear View Group. The company’s email is <a href="mailto:info@clearviewgroupllc.com">info@clearviewgroupllc.com</a>, and its website is <a href="http://clearviewgroupllc.com">http://clearviewgroupllc.com</a>. It looks hastily put together. I logged onto the website and learned the business has a second office in Houston. The company’s proper name is Clear View Group LLC, which was not mentioned in the news release, the spokeswoman admitted.</p> <p> </p> <p>Clear View Group specializes in private equity acquisitions of U.S. based, middle market companies, company officials said in a news release.</p> <p> </p> <p>Johnson Publishing Co. will continue to invest in Fashion Fair Cosmetics, which was founded by Eunice Johnson, JPC’s cofounder, in 1973. But the company may drop JPC’s name.</p> <p> </p> <p>Desiree Rogers, JPC’s CEO, will focus on Fashion Fair Cosmetics.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>From <a href="http://www.northstarnewstoday.com/business/ebony-jet-magazines-sold/">North Star News</a> and republished by our content partner New America Media</strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/john-johnson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">john johnson</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/johnson-publishing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">johnson publishing</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ebony-magazine" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ebony magazine</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/jet-magazine" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">jet magazine</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/african-americans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">African Americans</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/magazines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">magazines</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Frederick H. Lowe</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New America Media; Wikipedia Commons</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Sun, 19 Jun 2016 22:50:41 +0000 tara 7000 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5877-end-era-ebony-and-jet-magazines-have-been-sold#comments Cosby, Not Ebony Magazine, Fanned Stereotypes of the Black Family https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5416-cosby-not-ebony-magazine-fanned-stereotypes-black-family <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-features" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News &amp; Features</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Thu, 10/22/2015 - 20:34</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1ebony.jpg?itok=uVFtTvfk"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1ebony.jpg?itok=uVFtTvfk" width="480" height="268" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><strong>From our content partner <a href="http://newamericamedia.org/2015/10/cosby-not-ebony-magazine-fanned-stereotypes-of-the-black-family.php">New America Media</a></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>Ebony Magazine</em> stirred a mini-firestorm of rage when it dredged up an old photo shot of the TV <em>Cosby </em>show family, plopped it on its November cover, and then fractured the picture. The obvious point being that embattled comedian Bill Cosby not only disgraced his legacy but disgraced the hitherto near sacrosanct image and legacy of the celebrated <em>Cosby</em> TV show family, the Huxtables. The premise of the show was that there is fully intact, respectable, high-achieving, prim and proper black middle-class families. The Huxtables was an in-your-face counter to the ancient damaging, hurtful and false stereotype of the black family and by extension blacks, as crime-, drug-ridden, dysfunctional single parent black families eternallywallowing in ignorance and poverty.</p> <p> </p> <p>The show’s wild success and popularity was evidence that it gave many blacks a positive, upbeat look at themselves, and the strengths of many black families. It also gave many non-blacks a glimpse of an upwardly mobile black family that seemed to be no different than any other such family. The <em>Ebony</em> cover is under fire because it seemed to tear down the last remaining shred of what was good and decent about Cosby and the black family.</p> <p> </p> <p>The criticism badly misfires and ignores too much. Namely, that it was Cosby who in lectures, speeches, press appearances, and a best-selling book went on a one-man crusade to tell the world how supposedly lousy the black family was.</p> <p> </p> <p>Along the way, he cobbled together a mishmash of his trademark anecdotes, homilies, and personal tales of woe and success, juggled and massaged facts to bolster his self-designated black morals crusade. He made the stock claim that blacks can't read, write or speak coherent English, and are social and educational cripples and failures because of their own ineptitude, sloth, and indolence. Cosby was lionized by conservatives as the ultimate truth speaker for hammering blacks.</p> <p> </p> <p>While Cosby was entitled to publicly air black America's alleged dirty laundry, there was more myth than dirt in that laundry. Some knuckleheads in black neighborhoods do kill, mug, peddle dope, are jobless untouchables, and educational wastrels. They, and only they, should be the target of wrath. But Cosby made a Grand Canyon size leap from them to paint a half-truth, skewed, picture of the plight of poor blacks and the reasons and prescriptions for their plight.</p> <p> </p> <p>At the time, Cosby publicly bristled at criticism that he had taken the worst of the worst behavior of some blacks and publicly hurled that out as the warped standard of black America. Cosby insisted that he did not mean to slander all, or even most blacks, as derelict, laggards and slackers. Yet that's precisely the impression he gave and the criticism of him for it was more than justified. Even the title of his book, <em>Come on People: On the Path from Victims to Victors</em> (a hint they're all losers) conveyed that smear.</p> <p><br /> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2ebony.jpg" style="height:234px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Cosby did not qualify or provide a complete factual context for his blanket indictment of poor blacks. He made the negative behavior of some blacks a racial rather than an endemic social problem. In doing so, he did more than break the alleged taboo against publicly airing racial dirty laundry; he fanned dangerous and destructive stereotypes.</p> <p> </p> <p>That was hardly the call to action that could inspire and motivate underachieving blacks to improve their lives. Instead, it further demoralized those poor blacks who are doing the best to keep their children and themselves out of harm's way, often against towering odds, while still being hammered for their alleged failures by the Cosbys within and without their communities.</p> <p> </p> <p>Worse, Cosby's blame-the-victim slam did nothing to encourage government officials and business leaders to provide greater resources and opportunities to aid those blacks who need help. <em>Come on</em> <em>People</em>, intended or not, continued to tar the black communities and the black poor as dysfunctional, chronic whiners, and eternally searching for a government handout.</p> <p> </p> <p>Cosby’s one sided, stereotypical laced crusade against alleged black dysfunctionality was a zero sum catch 22 contradiction. If any of what Cosby said about the black family’s alleged chronic dysfunctionality was true, then that must mean that hisbeknighted Huxtable family was nothing more than a made-for-TV fraud. And that he and the show gamed millions to believe that such a black family really existed, when it didn’t. There were more than a few critics even then who knocked the Huxtables as just that, a myth, and lambasted the show and Cosby for creating the fairytale image of an intact, high-achieving black family. <em>Ebony’s</em> fractured cover of the Huxtables merely messaged what Cosby had done long before his disgrace and fall, and that’s to publicly malign the black family.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Author Bio:        </em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is the author of Torpedoing Hillary: The GOP Plan to Stop a Clinton White House (Amazon ebook). He is a frequent MSNBC contributor. He is an associate editor of New America Media. He is a weekly co-host of the Al Sharpton Show on Radio One. He is the host of the weekly Hutchinson Report on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles and the Pacifica Network.</em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>From our content partner <a href="http://newamericamedia.org/2015/10/cosby-not-ebony-magazine-fanned-stereotypes-of-the-black-family.php">New America Media</a></strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/bill-cosby" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">bill cosby</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/cosby-show" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the cosby show</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ebony-magazine" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ebony magazine</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/african-americans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">African Americans</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/black-families" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">black families</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/racism" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">racism</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/television" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">television</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/huxtables" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the Huxtables</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Earl Ofari Hutchinson </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New America Media</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 23 Oct 2015 00:34:34 +0000 tara 6430 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5416-cosby-not-ebony-magazine-fanned-stereotypes-black-family#comments