Following the assassination of Martin Luther King on April 4, 1968, the Civil Rights Movement entered a new phase, one in which protests, confrontations, demands, and even threats of violence became accepted strategies for advancing the cause of equality and justice. During the 1968-69 academic year, student protests were commonplace on campuses throughout the state and nation. ECU was no exception: the spring of 1969 was one of unprecedented confrontation followed by slow but ultimately positive, peaceful change.
On March 3, 1969, African-American students, frustrated with the pace of change, presented ten demands to President Leo Jenkins calling for black instructors, a black studies program, more financial aid for black students, recruitment of black students, recruitment of black athletes, an end to “negative racial practices,” improvements in the Maintenance Department, black speakers, legalized participation in Civil Rights demonstrations, and support for black students attending conferences. The most controversial demand was that “Dixie” be banned from campus “immediately,” and that “Confederate flags on state owned buildings” be removed.
In the weeks that followed, black students met with President Jenkins and other administrators to discuss these demands. Regarding “Dixie,” Jenkins advised them to bring the matter before the Student Government Association. However, the students wanted immediate action. Their demands had been prefaced by the statement, “The black students demand that ignorance of the black needs on campus be ended immediately — without compromise or tokenism.” They added that they would “undertake any and every action necessary to stop the racist practices at East Carolina University.” Jenkins insisted on following campus procedures peacefully rather than effecting change by force or fiat.
On the evening of March 27, members of the Society of United Liberal Students (SOULS) went directly to the front door of Jenkins’ residence on Fifth Street to ask what had been done. Jenkins spoke with the students at length, but his remarks were not well-received. He did promise, however, to call a university convocation about the demands and to arrange a Board of Trustees meeting with the students. Still, they were frustrated with the pace of change, expecting more immediate action. When pressed by the students, Jenkins affirmed support for their demands. The meeting was tense, with the campus police, state troopers, and reportedly “one SBI agent” surrounding the front of the house. Jenkins’s willingness to engage the students calmly during the impromptu evening did much to keep the situation from escalating.
Jenkins provided written responses to each demand, assuring students that within the limits of his authority, improvements would be forthcoming. In regard to the Confederate Flag, Jenkins replied that the only flags on campus were the American flag, the state flag, and the ECU flag. No building flew the Confederate flag “at the direction of the university administration.” On March 31, Jenkins addressed the student body in a special convocation held in Ficklen Stadium. While denying that prejudice and inequities would be tolerated, he insisted that peaceful, democratic procedures be followed. He warned against threats of violence, emphasizing that lawlessness would not be allowed and that the campus would not be violated. Frustrated, some black students walked out.
The same day, the SGA, in response to a petition signed by 1,818 students, held a referendum to decide whether “Dixie” should “be banned at all public functions played by university sponsored organizations.” Although Jenkins doubted that students would vote to ban “Dixie,” they did so. With that referendum, SOULS had achieved a victory, as had Jenkins in insisting that campus change come peacefully, through established channels. The SGA had also won by brokering the matter, thus showing its power as a vehicle of student change. The SGA continued, in later years, to work for change by establishing an Office of Minority Affairs, appropriating funds for minority recruitment booklets, and co-sponsoring a Black Arts Festival. The university ultimately contributed by hiring several black faculty and adding a number of Black studies courses to the curriculum. Black organizations were founded as well, including Alpha Phi Alpha, the first black fraternity to establish a local chapter on campus. Although tense, the spring of 1969 thus proved to be a watershed in the emergence of an engaged African-American student presence on campus eager to effect positive, peaceful change.
Sources
- "Black students ask." University Archives # CH1050.3.6.12.8. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10289
- Bridgeman, Phyllis. "Time versus tension." The East Carolinian. Vol. 44, no. 5. March 27, 1969. P. 1. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10275
- "Desegregation at East Carolina University." J. Y. Joyner Library Special Collections Division. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/desegregation/
- Dixon, Donna. "Students to determine fate of 'Dixie' Monday." The East Carolinian. Vol. 44, no. 5. March 27, 1969. P. 3. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10275
- "East Carolinian, 27 March 1969." University Archives # 50-05-27March1969-1. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10275
- "Explanation of Demands." University Archives # 02.06.16.67.01. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10279
- "[Leo Jenkins'] Answer to black student demands." University Archives # 02.06.16.67.03. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10277
- "Leo Jenkins convocation speech, March 31, 1969." University Archives # CH1050.810.025. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10276
- "Leo Jenkins meeting with student protesters." University Archives # 55.01.0685. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10304
- "[Leo Jenkins'] Memorandum regarding racial situation on campus." University Archives # CH1050.810.025. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10278
- "List of demands from black students of East Carolina University." University Archives # 02-06-16-26. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10280
- "Students leave Ficklen Stadium." University Archives # 50.01.1970.65. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/11014
- "Times Have Changed (and we ain't whistlin' "Dixie!"). The 1974 Buccaneer. Pp. 256-259. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10290. University Archives # 50-01-1974-256,257,258,259. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10290.
- "William Lowe presents list of ten demands." University Archives # 50.01.1970.65. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/11015
- "Youth sit-in." 1971. Roy Hardee Papers, 1161.7.c. ECU Manuscript Collection. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/23567
Citation Information
Title: Protesting Inequalities
Author: John A. Tucker, PhD
Date of Publication: 7/18/2019