The student strike of 1968–1969, held at San Francisco State University (SFSU), forced the establishment of the Division of Ethnic Studies and departments of Black, Asian, Chicano, and Native Studies.
In 1968, The Black Student Union at SFSU drafted a political statement, “The Justification for African-American Studies,” that would become the main document for developing African-American studies departments at more than sixty universities. The demands/objectives within this document included the opposition of the “liberal-fascist” ideology that was rampant on campus (as shown by college administrations who had attempted to pacify Black Student Union demands for systemic curriculum by offering one or two courses in black history and literature); the preparation of black students for direct participation in the struggles of the black community and to define themselves as responsible to and for the future successes of that community; the reinforcement of the position that black people in Africa and the diaspora have the right to democratic rights, self-determination, and liberation; and opposition to the dominant ideology of capitalism, world imperialism and white supremacy.
During this period, Nathan Hare and Jimmy Garrett collaborated to put together the first African-American studies program in the country.
Third World Liberation Front strikes of 1968
The Black Student Union and a coalition of other student groups known as the Third World Liberation Front (TWLF) led the strike on the campus of San Francisco State College (now San Francisco State University), which began Nov. 6, 1968 and ended March 20, 1969. Clashes between the strikers and San Francisco Police tactical squads made national news. Students, faculty and community activists demanded equal access to public higher education, more senior faculty of color and a new curriculum that would embrace the history and culture of all people including ethnic minorities.
The Third World Liberation Front (TWLF) rose in 1968 as a coalition of various ethnic student groups on college campuses in California The TWLF was instrumental in creating and establishing Ethnic Studies and other identity studies as majors in their respective schools and universities across the United States.
At the tail end of the American Civil Rights Movement, the combined determination of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), the Black Student Union (BSU), the Intercollegiate Chinese for Social Action (ICSA), the Mexican American Student Confederation, the Philippine American Collegiate Endeavor (PACE)(now known as the Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor), La Raza, the Native American Students Union, and later the Asian American Political Alliance galvanized California and the rest of the nation with the first student strike, bringing to light the educational need for more perspectives within disciplines. The TWLF strikes for Ethnic Studies in California drew the attention of the universities’ administrative leaders as well as the attention of the Governor of California Ronald Reagan.
The student strikes for the establishment of these courses started in 1968 and lasted for several months. The establishment of the first College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State, the first Ethnic Studies Department at Berkeley, increased hiring of faculty of color, and a dedication to increase minority representation on college campuses are all resultants of the actions of the Third World Liberation Front.
Many SF State strike alumni rose to prominence in the fields of social justice, law, public health, education and public service. They include actor and activist Danny Glover, who was a member of the Black Student Union, and Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay, who worked on the strike as a member of the Philippine American College Endeavor (PACE) and was a TWLF spokesperson. Alumnus and statesman Willie Brown, then a young lawyer and legislator, worked to free striking students who were jailed, as did, former U.S. Congressman, Oakland Mayor and alumnus Ron Dellums.
Tomorrow: An in-depth look at the TWLF strikes to form Africana Studies