Placing stories in historical context and engaging young journalists in social justice movements to better understand issues and to write as a participant rather than a spectator are central elements of Public Square Amplified’s community journalism mission. These elements must be leveraged to make journalism a force for marginalized and disenfranchised communities.

A talk co-sponsored by New Jersey Urban News and Public Square Amplified and held on International Women’s Day, March 8, celebrated the release of a book that recounts renowned activist Lawrence Hamm's life, and served as the basis to allow young journalists to examine the elements of community journalism.

“Our goal tonight is a simple one: To use this book’s text, its story and its background to help us as young journalists and community members better understand what we at Public Square Amplified call liberatory or emancipatory journalism - how journalists must tell stories that center the community and activist voice,” said Zoe Van Gelder, a PSA reporter. “So what do I mean by that? I mean that myself as a young journalist, I'm learning to tell stories grounded in historical context and social justice movements. 

“For if we are to be worthy storytellers, we must do so by understanding power centers. And for us as community reporters, the community and activist voice is a power center, and it's one that we at Public Square Amplified try to amplify.” 

Hamm, a candidate in the upcoming Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, discussed the new book, sharing insights and anecdotes with Annette Alston, who helped him write the book over the course of five years. Alston likened the work to delivering a baby.

“I feel like I’ve given birth to a baby,” said Alston, the author of “Harriet Tubman for Beginners,” a widely praised account of Tubman’s life. “I’ve never had children - so this was my baby - and it was a hard process, it was laborious. But it was well worth it.”

The event allowed journalists from both publications to question Hamm on his career as an activist that began formally when he was appointed to the Newark Board of Education at the age of 17 in 1971, the youngest person ever to hold the post. Public Square Amplified Managing Editor Emma Uk moderated the conversation. 

“Why did you choose to center activism as the public facing part of your life?” Uk asked Hamm. 

“I didn't plan it that way,” he replied. “I was a pretty regular person and I think that's one aspect of the book – it tries to show that an ordinary person can help to build a movement and can help bring about change.”  

Kyle Goldware, a New Jersey Urban News contributing writer, asked Hamm what he hoped to achieve for younger people by writing “A Life in the Struggle” with Alston. 

“I hope that this book will inspire other young people to get in this struggle for social justice and social transformation – that's absolutely my utmost hope,” he replied. “If this book does that, then it provides a valuable service because Fanon said, ‘Each generation must realize its historical responsibility, fulfill it, or betray it.’”

Watch the entire event here:

A life in the struggle, published by Africa World Press, is available for purchase online at: https://africaworldpressbooks.com/lawrence-hamm-a-life-in-the-struggle-by-lawrence-hamm-with-annette-alston-hb/