Identity, Power, and Local Television: African Americans, Organized Labor, and UHF-TV in Chicago, 1962-1968
Author(s)
Godfried, Nathan
Abstract
Considers whether television enhances or undermines African American power and identity by analyzing the competition between the Chicagoland TV Company and the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) for an ultra-high frequency (UHF) channel in Chicago in the 1960’s. While the owners of Chicagoland conceived a station for Chicago’s African American community, CFL leaders proposed an outlet to promote their conservative ideology and illustrate the importance of the organized labor movement. African Americans recognized the political and racial biases of the television industry during the 1950’s and denounced the industry for perpetuating racial stereotypes, defending the status quo, and ignoring the complex issues of segregation and discrimination. Chicagoland attorneys contended that their station would serve the interest of the city’s black population and address their concerns regarding employment, housing, and segregation. CFL lawyers, however, argued more convincingly that black-oriented programming would promote segregation rather than integration, effectively thwarting the potential of the station to help end black subordination.
