'Blogging While Black': New Book Discusses One Journalist’s Rise to National Prominence During the Historic 2008 Presidential Election

We had some heady times in my early days as a blogger!  The afrosphere was buzzing with online activism that reached its heights with the Jena Six protest march.  One of the leading Black bloggers of that era was a young brother named Shawn Williams.  

As such, this blog is pleased to inform all villagers that social media and hyper-local news pioneer Shawn Williams released his first book, Blogging While Black, which chronicles the pivotal role his blog played during the historic 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama, as well as during the brief but effective online civil rights movement. Williams is publisher of DallasSouthBlog.org, a frequent columnist for the Dallas Morning News and formerly contributed to WFAA Channel 8’s Inside Texas Politics.

“The meteoric rise in popularity of then-Senator Obama created an avenue for African Americans to stand up and speak out about their community and their country,” said Williams. “Regretfully, when some people saw Black bloggers weigh-in on politics, the message was misunderstood by some and perceived as antagonistic by others,” Williams said. “Blogging consistent messages allowed us the opportunity to articulate an intelligent point of view that didn’t appear vitriolic, and allowed for understanding which opened doors for effective communication.” 

Beginning with the plight of a teenager in Paris,Texas, and ending with the election of President Barack Obama, Blogging While Black tells the story of how Williams, and other online advocates, changed America for the better. The book also looks at “breakthrough bloggers” who have transferred their online stardom into offline success.

Blogging While Black is a tool created for aspiring writers, bloggers and journalists who want to make inroads through the media and make a difference in the community as well. At the end of each chapter, Blogging While Black provides tips for anyone who aspires to use social media tools to make their own mark online, including: how to launch a blog in five minutes; how to become a big fish in a small media pond; how to leverage your personal networks; and how to use your phone as a news gathering tool.

This would make a great gift for any bloggers in your sphere of influence!

Bloggers Roundup on the Radio: Vanessa Byers and Wayne Hicks

Shawn P. Williams (Dallas South Blog, BBR #87) hosts a remarkable online radio show each week on BlogTalkRadio. One of the segments on his show is 'Bloggers Roundup'. Vanessa Byers (Vanessa Unplugged, BBR #293) and I were guests on Shawn's show last week. We talked about President Obama's first 100 days and the H1N1 flu.

Listen to us if you have time or inclination.

Shawn Williams Talks About Black Bloggers and Jena Six March

Kudos to Francis Holland for beating the drums about Shawn Williams. Bro. Williams (Dallas South Blog) is a member of The AfroSpear. He was part of the 50,000 people that marched in Jena on 9/20/07 to protest the unequal justice. The Dallas Morning News interviewed the pharmaceutical salesman and member of Friendship-West Baptist Church. Bro. Williams reflections on his blog and the Jena rally:

The News - Give us the background on the Dallas South Blog. Did you create it? What is its aim?
Mr. Williams - I started Dallas South Blog 15 months ago as a way of expressing myself, but as the site has evolved, the goal is to promote positive images of African Americans to contrast the negative images put forth daily in the popular press.

The News - Have you been involved in other civil rights movements or protests before?
Mr. Williams - I think the movement is ongoing. Since college I have been aligned with these types of issues in some form or fashion, but most recently I worked to rid our neighborhood of a sexually oriented business that was being built in walking distance of a charter school.

The News - What was your role in this week's trip to Louisiana?
Mr. Williams - Besides helping to get 1,000 folks that left from our church on the right bus, I was just a participant. I marched, I listened, I shouted, but mostly, I was there in support of the young men who stand accused.

The News - Did you network with other bloggers?
Mr. Williams - I am a member of the Afrosphere Bloggers Association. We had a Day of Blogging for Justice on August 30th, where many of us blogged about Jena at the same time.

The News - How will Thursday's event advance the civil rights movement?
Mr. Williams - No one can answer that. I am hopeful that the African American community will commit to seeking justice and equality for the long hall. Cases like this happen all over the United States. We must use this energy to highlight injustice and to take responsibility for our own community and our own future.

Villagers, it is a wonderful thing to see the interest that the mainstream media has in Black bloggers over the past week or so. I have been contacted by four separate media outlets including NPR and CNN.

Shawn's advocacy for people of African descent is outstanding. It is no wonder that his blog is #66 and rising on the list of Top Black Blogs.