The Black Presence at William and Mary, 1985
“Indeed, the sense of history and tradition, which is so alive at the College, sometimes excludes black students, who comprise about 4 percent of the total student population.”
When black students were finally admitted to the College on a regular basis, students had to confront a predominately white community. Since the 1970s, black students and faculty have successfully created communities for socializing, sharing culture, and supporting one another during school and after graduation.
In 1975, Ebony Expressions was created as a gospel group and remains an active music and prayer community still today. The late 70s and 80s saw the incorporation of many black sororities and fraternities which created a lifelong support network for its members. These Greek organizations include the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Alpha Kappa Sorority, and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Additionally, the Black Student Organization has also helped to serve the role of a support network for social and academic needs, emblematic of black students’ sustained resilience and fight for agency in education and freedom of expression.
Black support networks were vital to undergrad, grad, and law school students. Sharon Coles ’75 JD, helped to organize the Black American Law Students Association, and used her position on the Board of Visitors in the mid ‘80s to advocate for minority students and faculty.
Swem Special Collections
1985
Anonymous William and Mary Students, description
Ari Weinberg, metadata
William and Mary Flat Hat, 1945
This editorial from the Flat Hat (William & Mary student run newspaper) prompted the temporary suspension of the paper from publication, according to a 1985 publication called The Black Presence at William and Mary. Editor-in-chief Marilyn Kaemmerle claimed “Negroes should attend William & Mary,” though not at that time. Discussion of our collective biological origin, noting that “Northern Negroes had higher [IQs] scores than Southern whites,” and comparing desegregation to “…Nazi race tactics.” inflamed the conservative white administration. At a time when many believed in the separate but equal, Kaemmerle saw that freedom from formal bondage did not mean freedom from oppression.
The described editorial can be found on the final page of the edition.
Marilyn Kaemmerle, "Lincoln's Job Half Done"
Swem Special Collections
William and Mary Flat Hat
1945
Anonymous William and Mary students, description
Ari Weinberg, metadata
Affirmative Action Report, 1973
Submitted on October 17, 1973, this summary of Affirmative Action initiatives at the College provides a thorough look into the attempt to stimulate a higher minority influence on campus, specifically in the faculty. From the first section, Structure and Administration, the College vaguely recognizes past prejudices and notes “in recent years, the College has sought to be responsive to the correction of [racial] imbalances, and to do this through processes of change that are not seriously disruptive to the character, continuity, stability, and long-term strength” (I-1). The Affirmative Action papers are simultaneously righteous, traditional, and aggressively liberal. They focus on change in administrative, social, economic, and academic areas. For example, the papers appear to offer childbearing leave for both sexes, but actually counts it as personal leave. In another case, the College counted black women as “Minorities” not “Women” in an attempt to increase their minority count. In fact, almost half of the papers focus on the role of women at the College. The school seems to be attempting to welcome women and minorities such as by providing an orientation program, priority for College housing, and equal opportunity facilities. This document often proposes conflicting views on the topic of Affirmative Action, as is exemplified by this statement: “the College feels that minorities must not only find their employment acceptable, but [it is] important for them to feel integrated into the mainstream of life at the College. In the quest for a broadened diversity, we do not want to sacrifice—with either minorities or women—the goal of larger community.”
Office of the President, College of William and Mary
Swem Special Collections
1973
Anissa Chams-Eddine and Gagan Jathoul, description
Ari Weinberg, metadata
Let Freedom Ring: W&M, First Baptist and The Lemon Project
W&M, working through the university's Lemon Project, helped First Baptist Church of Williamsburg with it's national "Let Freedom Ring" event.
http://YouTube.com
2016-02-29T16:59:58.000Z
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