The Miami Times and the Fight for Equality: Race, Sport, and the Black Press, 1948–1958 | Lexington Books

Discover a pivotal chapter in Civil Rights journalism

The Miami Times, founded in 1923 by H.E.S. Reeves and led by his son Garth C. Reeves Sr., appears in this historical narrative as more than a newspaper. It is presented as a living record of Miami's race relations during 1948–1958, a period when local headlines echoed and informed national conversations about equality.

At the center is Rice v Arnold, a 1949 legal challenge by Black recreational golfers seeking to desegregate the city’s public golf course. The book follows how the case mobilized voices across neighborhoods, sustained public discourse, and demonstrated the newspaper's role as a steady ally in the community's pursuit of fairness.

Beyond the golf course, the narrative reveals the paper’s continued support for desegregating schools, beaches, residential areas, public transportation, and sports facilities. Through financial backing and editorial backing, the Miami Times linked everyday experiences to broader civil rights questions, showing how journalism can amplify community action.

What makes this history relevant today

• A vivid account of how a local newspaper shaped civil rights conversations in Miami.
• Insights into the Rice v Arnold case and the community strategies behind it.
• Examples of collaboration among editors, activists, and civic leaders.
• Profiles of H.E.S. Reeves and Garth C. Reeves Sr. and their editorial influence.

Who might find this book useful

• Students and researchers studying Florida history, journalism, or race and sport.
• Educators building curricula on civil rights and community storytelling.
• Library staff and book clubs seeking nuanced narratives about local media’s role in social change.

If you are exploring how storytelling intersects with public discourse and policy in local history, this book offers a grounded, evidence-based lens. It invites readers to consider archives, newspapers, and community leadership as co-authors of history—without promising guaranteed outcomes.