American Challenger, Vol. V, No. 2, February 1969

Los Angeles: American Christian Freedom Society, 1969. The American Challenger’s editor was the Rev. Uriah Fields who helped found the Montgomery Improvement Association in 1955, which coordinated the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Fields worked closely with Martin Luther King, Jr. before falling out with him over King’s alleged sympathy for Communism. He also accused boycott leaders - including King - of misusing MIA funds, which he described in his bitter 1959 book, The Montgomery Story: The Unhappy Effects of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Fields’ detractors claimed that he resigned over his bitterness at not being chosen to lead the boycott (which was later acknowledged by Fields himself.

In this issue of the American Challenger, Fields disavows the notion of “Negro history” and “Negro History Week,” and claims that both are constructs of the white establishment and uneducated blacks. Instead, he asserts the importance of African-American or black history and closes by stating, “African-Americans must demand that black history, including African-American history, be taught in our schools and colleges, not only in black schools or to black students but to all students.” Fields published the American Challenger until 1974, although all issues appear uncommon. Less than six institutions in OCLC hold any issue.

One sheet folded (8 ½” x 7”) and printed in blue, 4 p., photograph of Fields. Initials of the Wisconsin State Historical society to the top of the front cover; mailing label and discard stamp to the rear cover. Item #10697

Price: $125.00