Salim Muwakkil
American journalist, editor and political commentator (1947-)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Salim Muwakkil (born Alonzo James Cannady, January 20, 1947) is an American journalist and political commentator, based in Chicago. He is a senior editor at In These Times magazine and an op-ed columnist for the Chicago Tribune.[1]
January 20, 1947
Salim Muwakkil | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alonzo James Cannady January 20, 1947 New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Rutgers University |
| Occupations | Journalist, Author |
| Employer | In These Times |
| Title | Senior Editor |
Muwakkil writes on African-American issues, Middle East politics, and US foreign policy. He is a Crime and Communities Media Fellow of the Open Society Institute, and teaches a seminar on race, media, and politics for the Urban Studies Program of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.[2]
Muwakkil, born in New York City, attended Rutgers University in New Jersey; he graduated with a BA in Political Science in 1973.[1][3]
Background and career
After graduating from Linden High School, Muwakkil joined the U.S. Air Force in 1964. After serving five-years as an administration specialist in Germany, he returned in 1969 and enrolled at Rutgers University, graduating in 1973. He joined the Black Panther Party directly after his discharge.[1][4]
Shortly before his graduation, Muwakkil began his journalism career at the Associated Press in Newark, New Jersey, as a reporter.
Later, he joined the Nation of Islam. He moved to Muhammad Speaks and its successor Bilalian News as a copy editor and then managing editor. He is now a former activist in that movement.[4]
After moving to Chicago, Muwakkil joined the staff at In These Times in 1983 and became a contributing writer to the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.[3] He hosts "The Salim Muwakkil" show on WVON, Chicago's historic Black radio station.[4]
Muwakkil serves as board member for the Progressive Media Project and the Chicago-based Public Square. In the past he has been an adjunct professor at Columbia College, Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.[3]
Bibliography
Muwakkil wrote the text for the book, "Harold!: Photographs from the Harold Washington Years."[5] He has also been a contributing author of other works as listed below.
- Journal of Ordinary Thought, Summer 2008: Authors of History, Neighborhood Writing Alliance, 2008[6]
- Appeal to Reason: 25 years in these times, Seven Stories Press, 2002[7]
- States of Confinement, Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2000[8]
- The Farrakhan Factor: African-American writers on minister Louis Farrakhan, Grove Press, 1998 [9]
- The Bell Curve Debate, Times Books, 1995[10]
- Collateral Damage: The New World Order at Home and Abroad, South End Press, 1992[11]
Other publications in which Muwakkil's work has appeared include The Washington Post, The New York Times Book Review, The Chicago Reader, The Progressive, Newsday, Cineaste, The Baltimore Sun, Z Magazine, Toronto Star, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Utne Reader.[3]
Awards and recognition
Muwakkil has been recognized for his journalism as listed below:
- 2022 Marcus Garvey History And Education Lifetime Award - Chicago Music Awards--https://www.chicagomusicawards.org/copy-of-nominees-vote-1
- 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award - Institute of Kemetic Yoga --https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Soul-Yoga-Fest-Resurrection-July-9---10--2021-Fuller-Park-Field-House-Chicago.html?soid=1101914437981&aid=cG_za-a__YA
- 2004 Lillian Award for Excellence in Journalism - Delta Sigma Theta sorority[2]
- 2001 Studs Terkel Award for Journalistic Excellence - Chicago-based Community Media Workshop[12]
- 1997 Black Rose Achievement Award - League of Black Women[2]
- 1994 Top Ten Media Heroes - Institute of Alternative Journalism[12]