Jet (magazine)
Encyclopedia
Jet is an American weekly marketed toward African-American readers, founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson
of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois. Initially billed as "The Weekly Negro News Magazine", Jet is notable for its role in chronicling the early days of the American Civil Rights movement
from its earliest years, including coverage of the Emmett Till
murder, the Montgomery Bus Boycott
, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Still published in small digest size
d format, the magazine printed in all or mostly black-and-white
until its 27 December 1999 issue. In 2009, Jets publishing format was changed; it is now published every week with a double issue published once each month.
Since 1952, Jet Magazine has had a full page feature called 'Beauty of the Week'. This feature includes a photograph of an African American woman in a swimsuit (either one piece or bikini, but never nude), along with her name, place of residence, profession, hobbies and interests. Many of the women are not professional models and submit their photographs for the magazine's consideration. The purpose of the feature is to promote the notion that African-American women are beautiful.
John H. Johnson
John Harold Johnson was an American businessman and publisher. He was the founder of the Johnson Publishing Company. In 1982 he became the first African-American to appear on the Forbes 400.ÀčĐċĎ- Biography :...
of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois. Initially billed as "The Weekly Negro News Magazine", Jet is notable for its role in chronicling the early days of the American Civil Rights movement
African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)
The African-American Civil Rights Movement refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights to them. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1955 and 1968, particularly in the South...
from its earliest years, including coverage of the Emmett Till
Emmett Till
Emmett Louis "Bobo" Till was an African-American boy who was murdered in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman. Till was from Chicago, Illinois visiting his relatives in the Mississippi Delta region when he spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant, the married...
murder, the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Montgomery Bus Boycott
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a political and social protest campaign that started in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, USA, intended to oppose the city's policy of racial segregation on its public transit system. Many important figures in the civil rights movement were involved in the boycott,...
, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
Still published in small digest size
Digest size
Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches. These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end...
d format, the magazine printed in all or mostly black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
until its 27 December 1999 issue. In 2009, Jets publishing format was changed; it is now published every week with a double issue published once each month.
Content
Jet magazine contains information on various topics, including fashion and beauty tips, entertainment news, dating advice, political coverage, health tips and diet guides. Jet magazine also covers events such as fashion shows. The publishing displays the picture in the magazines too. The cover photo usually corresponds to the focus of the main story. Some examples of cover stories might be a celebrity's wedding, a holiday like Mother's Day, or a recognition of the achievements of a notable African American. Many of them are given the cover to show the African American community that if they want to reach a goal that they have to be willing to work for it. It also gives young female adults inner confidence and strength because the women in the magazine are strong and successful without the help of a man. They were proving that they could do it all on their own.Since 1952, Jet Magazine has had a full page feature called 'Beauty of the Week'. This feature includes a photograph of an African American woman in a swimsuit (either one piece or bikini, but never nude), along with her name, place of residence, profession, hobbies and interests. Many of the women are not professional models and submit their photographs for the magazine's consideration. The purpose of the feature is to promote the notion that African-American women are beautiful.