Documentary Chronicles 'Post Amerikan,' Bloomington-Normal's Longest-Running Underground Newspaper
A new documentary film, 'Post Amerikan: The Newspaper that Wouldn’t Die,' is being screened at the Normal Theater, highlighting the history and impact of the Post Amerikan, an underground newspaper that operated in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, from 1972 to 2004. The film, created by biologist Gary Fritz, explores how the paper, despite its counterculture origins, became the longest-running underground newspaper in U.S. history. The Post Amerikan was known for covering topics often ignored by mainstream media, such as abortion, marijuana, and women's rights, and for its critical reporting on local institutions, including Illinois State University (ISU) and local government. Its investigative journalism led to significant local events, such as the resignation of an ISU president. The paper maintained a strong focus on both ISU and the broader community, attracting a mix of student and non-student writers and activists.
