The Struggle for Black Studies at Syracuse University, 1988-'89
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Harlem educator, author and activist Agyei Tyehimba uses this slideshare for presentations he does about his role in the Black student struggle for African American Studies at Syracuse University in his years as a student leader there. Agyei is available for speeches, interviews, and consulting. To learn more about Mr. Tyehimba, or to contact him for engagements, visit: http://truself143.wix.com/agyeityehimba YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/truself143 Twitter: @agyei143
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The Struggle for Black Studies at Syracuse University, 1988-'89
- 1. The Struggle For Black Studies @ Syracuse University 1988-1989
- 2. Background
- 3. The Student African American Society • Founded in 1967 • Responsible for creating Black Studies at Syracuse U. • Represented Black undergraduates at the university • Black Nationalist orientation
- 4. Issues Addressed by SAS 1986-88 • Black D.J.s dismissed from WJPZ FM • Proposed Tuition Increases • Apartheid/Divestment • CIA recruiting on Campus • Racist articles in Daily Orange newspaper
- 6. Proactivity is the Key!! • Constituents completed a survey: – What issue would you most support? – What issue most affects you? – What issue are you most willing to sacrifice for? – What issue do you believe will most affect future students?
- 7. We Chose to Fight For Black Studies!! • African American Studies Department needed support – No stable Chairperson – interim chair for more than 3-4 years – M.L.K. Library • Not connected to larger university library system • Shamefully under resourced • No permanent, paid librarian • Roof caved in, several books destroyed • – Lack of faculty and graduate teaching assistants – Community Folk Art Gallery under resourced – No wheelchair access to the Department
- 9. Phase 1: Research (1988) • Studied old Daily Orange Newspapers • Studied organizing books • Rules for Radicals- Saul Olinsky • Organizing: a Guide for Grassroots Leaders – Si Kahn • Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun – Wess Roberts • Roots to Power: A Manual for Grassroots Organizing – Lee Staples • Spoke with AAS faculty and former SAS leaders
- 10. Phase 2: Propaganda • Posters all over campus articulating the problems concerning the AAS Dept. • Articles in University, SAS and local community newspapers • Political Cartoons • Radio and Television interviews • Petition Drive • Meetings with Administration • Presentation of 13 Demands • Guest Speakers • Regular campus rallies • Presentation of Letters of support and solidarity from community/campus organizations
- 11. Phase 3: Outreach, Coalition-Building (1988) • Identified and met with campus and community leaders/Organizations – Explained our grievances – Solicited their support
- 12. Phase 4: Direct Action (1989) • Held the Phone lines hostage for one week • Disrupted Chancellor’s Student Organization Meetings • Press Conferences • Disrupted ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Science & Technology Building • Disrupted Luncheon celebrating new building
- 15. Phase 5: Negotiation • Met twice a week with administration for two weeks in Omega Psi Phi House • Demanded the Chancellor agree and sign off on each demand – If they did not, we cancelled meeting and asked them to leave • By our fourth meeting, they agreed to all demands
- 16. Phase 6: Backlash/Vindication • University charged me with destroying property, harming security agents, inciting riot • University set hearing date for me and two other leaders • Every student, faculty member and community leader on the Hearing Board refused to attend the hearing; charges were dropped
- 17. Accomplishments of the Campaign • Study Abroad program in Africa • Permanent Chairperson hired; 3 new faculty, 2 additional Teaching Assistants • M.L.K. Library renovated/Funded; Librarian hired; Included in University Library system • Budget approved for Community Folk Art Gallery; Assistant Hired • Commitment to establish Master’s Degree; Begun in 1995 • Commitment to establish Doctorate Degree; Not yet started • Two faculty reviewed for and eventually granted Tenure • Wheelchair access and elevator created • Budget approved for two annual colloquium lectures