BLACK HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: CARL ROWAN
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Carl Rowan (1925-2000) was a federal cabinet member, international ambassador and one of the most prominent black journalists of the 20th century.
Born in Ravenscroft, Tennessee, to Thomas David and Johnnie B. Rowan on August 11, 1925, Rowan grew up during the Great Depression. As a young boy, Rowan worked hoeing bulb grass for 10 cents an hour, later performing hard manual labor for 25 cents an hour when there was work available. In his autobiography, Rowan told of living with “no electricity, no running water, no toothbrushes … no telephone, no radio and no regular inflow of money.”
He graduated in 1942 from Bernard High as valedictorian and class president. Rowan moved to Nashville with 77 cents in his pocket and the dream of a college education. In order to earn his tuition for college, he moved in with his grandparents and got a job in a tuberculosis hospital the summer before enrolling in the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College (now Tennessee State University) in Nashville in the fall of 1942. Two years later, during World War II, Rowan passed a competitive exam to become one of the first blacks in Naval officer training.
After his stint in the U.S. Navy, Rowan graduated from Oberlin College majoring in mathematics and earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota in 1948. He began his career in journalism as a copywriter for The Minneapolis Tribune, and within two years, he had become a staff writer with special emphasis on the Civil Rights Movement. In 1950, Rowan married Vivien Louise Murphy, a public health nurse.
At the time, “no more than five blacks could claim to be general assignment reporters and few were writing anything serious about the American social, political or economic scene,” Rowan wrote in his autobiography, Breaking Barriers.
Among his early pieces were a series of columns entitled How Far from Slavery?, which he wrote after returning to the South to study issues of race. The articles contributed to Rowan being the first black to receive the Minneapolis “Outstanding Young Man” award. They also served as the basis for his first book, South of Freedom.
Rowan spent 1954 writing columns from India, Pakistan and Southeast Asia. These led to a second book, The Pitiful and the Proud. A third book, Go South to Sorrow, was published in 1957. Rowan was the only journalist to receive the Sigma Delta Chi award for newspaper reporting in three straight years: for general reporting in 1954, for best foreign correspondence in 1955, and for his coverage of the political unrest in Southeast Asia in 1956.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Rowan Deputy Secretary of State and he became the U.S. Ambassador to Finland in 1963. The following year, Rowan was appointed director of the United States Information Agency by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Rowan became the first black to hold a seat on the National Security Council and oversaw a staff of thirteen thousand. In 1965, Rowan resigned and began writing a national column for the Field Newspaper Service Syndicate and doing three weekly radio commentaries for the Westinghouse Broadcasting Company.
Rowan developed a reputation for being independent and often controversial. He urged Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to change his anti-war stance because he felt it was hurting the Civil Rights Movement, and he called for J. Edgar Hoover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to resign citing abuses of power and corruption that brought him criticism. While Rowan had always been a spokesperson for civil and economic rights for blacks, he was also critical of those he felt should more aggressively addressing those issues affecting themselves.
Rowan received the Peabody Award for his television special “Race War in Rhodesia” and was awarded an Emmy for his documentary “Drug Abuse: America’s 64 Billion Dollar Curse.” His newspaper column was syndicated by the Chicago Sun-Times and reached nearly half of homes receiving newspapers in the United States. He was on numerous public affairs television programs and was a permanent panelist on “Agronsky and Company.” He also aired “The Rowan Report,” a daily series of commentaries on radio stations heard across the nation. He served as a roving reporter for the Reader’s Digest and regularly published articles in the magazine. He was one of the most sought-after lecturers in the United States, speaking on college campuses and at conventions of teachers, business people, civil rights leaders and community groups.
Rowan once told Publisher’s Weekly, “You gotta get tired before you retire,” and he went on to publish several more books, including Dream Makers, Dream Breakers: The World of Thurgood Marshall and The Coming Race War in America: A Wake-Up Call.
In 1987, after reading about a high school where black students were embarrassed to stand as their names were called during an honor roll ceremony, he created Project Excellence to help black youth to finish school and go on to college. Since then, the organization has awarded more than $58 million to over 2,400 young people.
In 1988, Rowan, who had advocated strict handgun control, found himself in the center of a gun controversy when he was arrested and charged with using an unregistered weapon to wound a teenager who intruded into his backyard. Rowan argued that he had the right to use whatever means necessary to protect himself and his family. The jury deadlocked and the judge declared a mistrial.
Rowan was a 1995 Pulitzer Prize finalist for his commentaries. In 1999, The National Press Club gave Rowan its Fourth Estate Award for lifetime achievement. On January 9, 2001, United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright dedicated the press briefing room at the State Department as the Carl T. Rowan Briefing Room. Rowan is one of the most honored journalists in American history. He has 44 honorary degrees and is in both the Black Journalists Hall of Fame and the Sigma Delta Chi Hall of Fame. He holds the “Missouri Medal,” the highest honor given by the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has received the E.I. Du Pont-Columbia University Silver Baton.
Rowan died of natural causes on September 23, 2000, at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He was 75. He had been hospitalized for various illnesses, including diabetes, in the weeks prior to his death. He is survived by his wife, Vivien; two sons, Carl Rowan Jr., a lawyer; Jeffrey, a clinical psychologist, and one daughter, Barbara, a former journalist.
Encyclopedia of World Biography, JDakar.com Reader Jill
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Concrete Loop features ‘Black History Spotlights’ each week honoring black people who have played pivotal roles in history. submissions are welcome.
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53 Comments
1.
Brandi
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Awesome!
2.
Honey Blogger
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
wow.. yet again another reason to truly love our people.. I can’t imagine what life would have been without our true heroes.
40 years from know I wonder who will the new concrete loop writers shine the spotlight on from our generation..
Denzel, Spike, who knows…
any comments?
3.
cynthia
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
I love this, did not know about him. Thank you loop, you’re the best
4.
MissyKing
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Thanks J. for keeping your people informed. Had this post been about a celebrity, I’m sure there would be 100 comments by now. Hopefully we can all get to the point where we can all delve (sp) into topics like these that will inspire us.
5.
Inpsired 1
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Truly a remarkable man!
6.
esteeminatti
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
BLACK PEOPLE, the ONLY THING that can keep us from achievement is OURSELVES. Good post, J.
7.
Dame(Usher Here I Stand is like Jayz Kingdom Come they grew up but ppl don't understand)
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
I love these post they get better each week keep the coming CL.
8.
Rhapsody
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
I have been truly inspired today CL, thank you! And big ups to my Alma Mater, Tennessee State University!
9.
QueenB
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
This is great! These are our forefathers that did any and everything to keep it going! Thanks CL. I’m going to print these for my 10 year old son.
10.
It's me
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
My sister and I both received significant scholarships through a program that he started. Because of him, we were able to afford to go to college.
11.
Crystal
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
That is absolutely amazing. He is truly an inspiration.
12.
day day
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
strong black man. what an inspiration
13.
la maestra
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Ditto #6, there are external obstacles in our path, but our main obstacle is ourselves. I love these posts, and I am again reminded of the advantages of attending a HBCU.
14.
sweetsistah
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
This is truly amazing! I am so proud of my heritage. There isn’t anything that we can not achieve.
15.
Gods Best
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Great Story!!!! Feels good to know our people have made an impact not only on our culture, but the nation. Thanks for the info CL
16.
DropKick
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Congratulations to the legacy of Mr. Rowan, you have much to be proud of. Big ups to black people doing great things on this planet since God first made us in his image. Great piece CL, keep them coming because I am reading and appreciating them.
17.
Queen_Chrissee
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
This was an excellent post. It shows that you can be anything in life once you keep pressing on and make pursuit to accomplish all of your goals and aspirations.
18.
Jennifer Neal
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
I love these posts. They always make me so proud to see us being featured in a positive light. I have always been proud of who I am, but CL when I read stories like this it makes me stick my chest out a little bit more, and hold my head up a little bit higher. Thanks
19.
Questioneverything
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Just WONDERFUL!!! Too bad someone as strong and influential as Mr. Rowan wasn’t involved in the two young men who shot Mildred Beaubron. I LOOVE our Black men who stand up and and reach back into the communities.
20.
JUDAH
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
No disrespect to this man, but I read everything I needed to read when I saw that he was inducted into the Sigma Delta Chi Hall of Fame.
21.
WARNING:OPIONATED
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
I COMMEND YOU CONCRETELOOP FOR GIVIN LIGHT AND RECOQNITION TO SOME OF OUR BEAUTIFUL BLACK PPL THAT HELPED, PROVIDED, GAVE AND CONQUERED WITHIN AMERICA OR THIS WORLD PERIOD. THATS A BEAUTIFUL THING. YALL ARE DOPE FOR THIS. MOST OF OUR YOUNG BLACK MEN AND LADIES DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THEIR HISTORY BESIDES M.L.K, MALCOM AND HARRIET TUBMAN AND ALSO, THE STEREOTYPICAL VIEWS THAT ARE DISPLAYED ON TV AND HEARD ON THE RADIO….WE HAVE AN ETERNAL LIST OF BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN AMERICAN PPL THAT SUCCESSFULLY BECAME OR DONE MORE THAN WHAT WAS OFFERED AND SHOWN.
22.
IMA SUPER DUPER STAR!
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
J. DAKAR…..WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO OUT ON A DATE? LOL, I LOVE THE POST!
23.
Ms.CoNgo
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
I have never heard of him…but i always look forward to these interesting historical posts. It does make you proud and just shows you that if our ancestors could make it in the most dire situations. We all definitely all can overcome and be successful today. Very inspiring thanks J. Dakar
24.
♥ anonymous young lady ♥
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Thanks for the knowlegde.
25.
La La Lemonn
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
wow, he makes me proud to be a Black journalism student. I will definitely keep going, and do my best to earn as many awrds as he did.
26.
F.U.
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Thank you for enlightening us CL! Continue to spread the knowledge!
27.
Have Not Thought of a New User Name
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
I love these post! J. Dakar can you post something on Allen Allensworth I love his story and many people have never heard of him.
28.
N.O._ Finest
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
You know I am not Amazed by Our People. I am in Awe to stand on their Shoulders!
29.
Lisa
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Very Impressive!
30.
MissMikelah
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Great once again!
31.
B Angie B
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Remarkable… I also want to shout out my alma mater Tennessee State University! T-S T-S T-S U!!!!
32.
#1 Wifey
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Thanks for the info! Great Job Concreteloop
33.
AngeeBee
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Thanks Concreteloop. Very interesting and informational piece. It good to see that we do have some old heros that pave the way for us. Keep up the good work. I say we have more of this I really enjoyed this.
34.
MW09
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Thanks, I had never heard of Carl Rowan!!!
What an inspiring individual!!
35.
nicholelibra
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Sad, but true. If this post was about someone wearing some ugly ass overpriced shoes or Beyonce yawning every looper would be all over this post.
36.
nicholelibra
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
#20, What’s so unspecial about SDC.
(I’m not being sarcastic or anything, I’m genuinely curious. I refuse to do any of that Greek letter shit, because too many people lose the meaning of it.)
37.
peppychick
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Wow! He sounded like an amazing man. I am proud to be an African-American!
38.
Robbie ROB
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
@ 31 I went to TSU ! I Graduated in MAY! GOOO TIGERS!!
39.
Nina
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
Wow, he accomplished quite a bit in his lifetime. Amazing and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
40.
Denise(The First, LOL)
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
THIS POST IS VERY INSPIRATIONAL, I DECIDED TO GO TO A 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY AT THE AGE OF 26, BECAUSE I GOT SICK AND TIRED OF WORKING LOW WAGE-HIGH LABORED JOBS. WHEN I READ STORIES LIKE THIS, IT MAKE MY EFFORTS WORTH IT.EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT THE OPPRESSION THAT MANY BLACKS BEFORE US HAD TO FACE, IT MOTIVATES ME TO FOCUS HARDER, AND APPROACH MY DECISIONS IN A METICULOUS MANNER. THERE ARE SO MANY YOUNG MEN THAT WANT TO BE LIKE 50 CENT INSTEAD OF CARL ROWAN, THERE ARE SO MANY YOUNG WOMEN THAT WANT TO BE LIKE BEYONCE OR TRINA INSTEAD OF BEING LIKE OPRAH.
WHAT IS SO SAD, IS THAT THE COMMENTS ON THIS POST IS GOING TO REMAIN LOWER, WHILE A BEYONCE POST IS AT LIKE WHAT 300.
41.
tdot stand up
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
interesting…
42.
Honey Blogger
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
i checked just to see how many comments this post had gotten..
I must say my feelings are pretty hurt
43.
tiff
Thursday, May 29, 2008 /
truly amazing! more proof that Black people are a divine and blessed group of people who become great despite unfortunate circumstances.
Who do we have like that now? Who are our true leaders now?
44.
JUDAH
Friday, May 30, 2008 /
@NicholeLibra
The reason why I mentioned that is because these fraternity organizations are fronts for the talented tenth doctrine and the white man’s attempts to herd blacks that he ascertains to be potential leaders under his umbrella. He then gets them infatuated with his society and sends them out in the guise of helping their people. All the civil rights leaders that preached integration all followed the same path of fraternal membership, which precipitated their media coverage and their perpetual commemoration in the white man’s history books. I’m not saying that the brother wasn’t phenomenally talented and intelligent. All our people are, or have the potential to be. There would be no America without the contributions of black people. Carl Rowan probably was very intelligent and talented but beyond a shadow of a doubt, his affiliations with the fraternity opened doors for him because this society is structured to allow pockets of success to those that follow a certain path. First off, I don’t understand how you can be a black man and call yourself a “greek”. If you’re really interested in what I’m referring to, do research on the Boule. These black men and women masquerade in the guise of being for their people when in reality they are instructed by whites to protect the interests of whites while subverting the minds of their own people by encouraging subservience and assimilation.
45.
gg boo
Friday, May 30, 2008 /
As a writer, this is some very important history to know. I always find myself looking up more information on the people spotlighted on here. Thanks CL. (And of course there are going to be more comments on celebs because this is a celeb site, but CL is doing their part to put some knowledge in here too. Some people aren’t going to take advantage and that’s ok.)
46.
HOLLOWAY
Friday, May 30, 2008 /
I WENT TO TSU!!!
47.
GP
Friday, May 30, 2008 /
I was a recipient of a Project Excellence Scholarship. Thanks to the legacy of Carl T. Rowan, I had full tuition and fees paid for me to go to an Ivy League school. It is wonderful to be able to read a piece honoring him. Good look, CL!
48.
Holleywood
Friday, May 30, 2008 /
Thanks I always look forward each week to see who will be in the spot light, J. Dakar. Keep up the great work!!
Angel you did a great thing when you started up this site.
I love me some CL!!
49.
hood_shit
Saturday, May 31, 2008 /
TSU stand up!
50.
Jchil
Sunday, June 1, 2008 /
Awesome story!!!
51.
audra
Sunday, June 1, 2008 /
love it keep up the great work!!!!
52.
J. Dakar » Black History Month
Friday, June 13, 2008 /
[…] from her cancerous tumor that were used to create an immortal cell line for medical research? Or Carl Rowan, who, pretty much, was the man. I could go on, but I suggest you go read the Black […]
53.
N-Retrospekt » You’re the Man
Saturday, November 29, 2008 /
[…] And he’s this week’s Black History Spotlight. […]