Black America's struggle to create a new image of Negro Americans on the stage and screen, in literature, and in the news media is the focus of this book. Chapters review the history of the black image and the early and persistent efforts of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to achieve realistic and unbiased portrayals of blacks in American life from the 1850's to 1965. An epilogue extends the study from 1956 to 1973, noting recent changes, trends, thought, developments, and activities in the American theatre. Illustrations and an index conclude the book. (JM)