Wednesday Open Thread: The History of Black Studies Programs

The Third World Liberation Front and Black Student Union Strike at San Francisco State University

The student and faculty strike started on November 6, 1968 and lasted until March 21, 1969, making it the longest strike by students at an academic institution in the United States. The strikes arose to protest the perpetual Eurocentric lens on education, as the demands of the strikers included an establishment of an autonomous department for Ethnic Studies, more faculty of color representation, and more representation of students of color on campus. John H. Bunzel writes that the students felt that “education from kindergarten to college under the authority of the white community failed to focus on subject matter that was germane to the life experiences of the people in the minority community.” 

San Francisco State Black Student Union members (left to right) Tom Williams, Jerry Varnado and Jim Garrett.1967

The contention between students and administration started in May 2, 1967, when students orchestrated a sit-in at the office of the then newly appointed president of the university, Dr. John Summerskill in protest of the Selective Students Committee access to students’ academic standing. Subsequent events, which included the suspension and firing of high profiled educators of color, led to the formation of the coalition of ethnic student groups at San Francisco State College known as the Third World Liberation Front. The strike led to the formation of College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State College, sparking the creation of similar programs at other universities and colleges.

One year before the first day of the strike, the editor of The Daily Gator, James Vaszko, was attacked by several black students on November 7, 1967. The Gator Incident, as it was called, occurred after he wrote an article in the school newspaper petitioning the Carnegie Corporation of New York to withhold funds from “service programs” which would include funding classes in Black history and culture, a request proposed by the Black Student Union. After the six black students were arrested and suspended, the BSU held a press conference in order to elucidate the reasons for the education programs they desired. These programs were to be established in order to “awaken and develop black awareness and consciousness,” according to the San Francisco Strike Collection. The rising tension between students launched the formation of a committee of faculty assembled by President Summerskill. Yet, individuals sympathetic to the six students began protesting in the administrative building at San Francisco State College, leading Summerskill to close the campus. At this time, there were also protests against the Vietnam War, further heightening tensions between the administration and students. On February 22, 1968, Dr. Summerskill resigned from his post for the following school year, to later be replaced by Dr. Robert Smith.

As tension continued to rise, the Third World Liberation Front on March 23, 1968 occupied the school’s YMCA, forcing all YMCA employees to leave. Despite demands from President Summerskill to evacuate the premises, the students remained, especially in protest to keep a revered faculty member as a professor. They listed their demands as follows: “(1) An end to Air Force ROTC on campus, (2) Retention of Juan Martinez, (3) Programs to admit 400 ghetto students in the fall semester, and (4) The hiring of nine minority faculty members to help the minority students.” This culminated in the arrival of the police and arrests of 26 individuals of the 400 protesters on May 21 of that year.

The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) played a significant role in the strike as well.

The following school year saw the formation of the Black Studies Department but also saw mounting tension. President Smith refused the demand by the California State Colleges trustees to relegate George Mason Murray, graduate student and instructor at the English department, to a “non-teaching position. This came after Murray’s remarks to students at Fresno State College which allegedly included, “We are slaves and the only way to become free is to kill all the slave masters.” Mounting pressure from trustee members other administrators like SF State Chancellor Dumke forced Dr. Smith to suspend George Mason Murray despite threats of strike from the BSU, after which led to a presentation of 15 demands from the TWLF.

The Demands of the Student Strikers and Administrative Response

Black Student Union demands

1. “That all Black Studies courses being taught through various departments be immediately part of the Black Studies Department and that all the instructors in this department receive full-time pay.
2. That Dr. Hare, Chairman of the Black Studies Department, receive a full-professorship and a comparable salary according to his qualifications.
3. That there be a Department of Black Studies which will grant a Bachelor’s Degree in Black Studies; that the Black Studies Department chairman, faculty and staff have the sole power to hire faculty and control and determine the destiny of its department.
4. That all unused slots for Black Students from Fall 1968 under the Special Admissions program be filled in Spring 1969.
5. That all Black students wishing so, be admitted in Fall 1969.
6. That twenty (20) full-time teaching positions be allocated to the Department of Black Studies.
7. That Dr. Helen Bedesem be replaced from the position of Financial Aid Officer and that a Black person be hired to direct it; that Third World people have the power to determine how it will be administered.
8. That no disciplinary action will be administered in any way to any students, workers, teachers, or administrators during and after the strike as a consequence of their participation in the strike.
9. That the California State College Trustees not be allowed to dissolve any Black programs on or off the San Francisco State College campus.
10. That George Murray maintain his teaching position on campus for the 1968-69 academic year.”

Third World Liberation Front Demands

1. “That a School of Ethnic Studies for the ethnic groups involved in the Third World be set up with the students in each particular ethnic organization having the authority and control of the hiring and retention of any faculty member, director, or administrator, as well as the curriculum in a specific area study.
2. That 50 faculty positions be appropriated to the School of Ethnic Studies, 20 of which would be for the Black Studies program.
3. That, in the Spring semester, the College fulfill its commitment to the non-white students in admitting those who apply.
4. That, in the fall of 1969, all applications of non-white students be accepted.
5. That George Murray and any other faculty person chosen by non-white people as their teacher be retained in their positions.”^[7]

The TWLF strike that began on November 6, 1968 was catalyzed by the suspension of graduate student and Black Panther Minister of Education George Mason Murray. There was an approximate 15% reduction in student attendance in November at the start of the strike, but police were called to campus anyway on that first day. Police brutality was a common sight throughout the strike. From that moment on, these students would remain on strike for 5 months until March 21, 1969.

Negative and violent interactions between police and students lead Dr. Smith to close campus for a week and faculty meetings ensued. Appeals by Professor Hayakawa to support President Smith’s request to reinstate Murray were made to the faculty members, who were also considering striking as well. It was highlighted that Murray was “suspended without due process” by a faculty grievance committee. When campus reopened on November 20, 1968, only 10% of students returned for the school-wide discussion on current state of affairs. After disagreeable interactions with students, Dr. Smith resigned on November 26, and Professor Hayakawa becomes acting president. On December 11, the campus American Federation of Teachers (AFT) also join the strike to have trustees meet eye to eye with the students.

On January 6, 1969, acting President Hayakawa ordered that there shall be no more gatherings at the center of campus. Yet, two days later, campus AFT members and students continued to strike on campus. Despite many judicial actions to order AFT members and students to disband, striking continued. On February 29, it was decided that Murray, along with the Black Studies Department Chair, would not be rehired, further perpetuating the desire to strike. After another month of violence and striking, on March 20, 1969, the TWLF, BSU, and members of the selection committee of San Francisco State College came to an agreement, ending the strike following day.

Full outcome of the strike, the concessions and final settlement is summarized here.