Dangerous Press

Founded in 1905 by Robert S. Abbott, The Chicago Defender quickly became one of the most influential African-American newspapers in the nation during the early twentieth century. Through its bold reporting on racial violence and Jim Crow-era injustices in the South, the Defender played a crucial role in encouraging the Great Migration, urging black Americans to seek better opportunities in northern cities, particularly Chicago. Abbott established an innovative distribution network using Pullman porters who carried the paper by rail throughout the South, often in defiance of local laws and customs. The newspaper featured vivid accounts of lynchings, profiles of successful migrants, advertisements for northern jobs, and a robust entertainment section that portrayed Chicago as a land of opportunity and cultural vitality. With each copy estimated to be read by four to five people as they were passed through communities, the Defender's influence extended far beyond its print circulation. During this period, the paper attracted notable contributors including Langston Hughes (1919-1922) and featured Princess Mysteria's weekly advice column, while also establishing the Bud Billiken Club for children in 1923, cementing its role as both a crusading force for social justice and a vital institution in African-American community life.