University of Virginia Library

Students Propose Afro-American Studies Program

By Mike Russell
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

If the entire American population were
properly educated - by properly' educated I
mean given the true picture of the history and
contributions of the Black man - I think many
whites would be less racist in their feelings.
They would have more respect for the Black
man as a human being. Knowing what the Black
man's contributions to science and civilization
have been in the past, the white man's feelings
of superiority would be at least partially
negated. Also, the feeling of inferiority that the
Black man has would be replaced by a balanced
knowledge of himself. He'd feel more like a
human being, in a society of human beings.

Spoken January 18, 1965 by Malcolm X,
these words have never had more relevance than
today, when authorities lament the Black crisis
which grips the country in all areas of concern.
Universities throughout the nation are
responding to the calls for programs of
Afro-American studies, sometimes after they've
been put up against the wall, but in many
instances by their own decision.

The University in past weeks has set up the
machinery for inter-departmental majors and
programs of study, partly in response to recent
student movements. Now students have
presented to the Administration a proposal for
an Afro-American Studies Program. The report
which details all phases of the proposed
program was delivered to President Edgar F.
Shannon, Jr. and the heads of the departments
which would be involved Friday by the Black
Students for Freedom and members of the
Black academic community.

The background of the program is provided
in the opening section of the report.

"Almost without exception the academic
treatment of American civilization within our
universities curriculum and research has related
primarily to our European heritage. In
predominately white southern institutions of
higher learning, it is painfully obvious that key
elements of American civilization have not
been considered because of racial
discrimination and professorial incompetence in
several areas.

"In other predominately white institutions
of higher learning, one may find occasional
reference to the contributions (positive and
negative) of individual members of minority
groups: there is little attempt at systematic
incorporation of the part played by the
non-dominate cultures themselves. The most
serious omission is the role of Afro-American
cultural inputs in our civilization. The
recognition of the Afro-American cultural
inputs is required to meet a debt to the black
community, Also, it is essential if our teachings
are to describe correctly the nature of our
heterogeneous society. By examining the black
experience we hope to expand our
understanding not only of the experience of
other non-dominate groups, but also the nature
of our society and our culture in its entirety.

"We contend that the area of Afro-American
culture is beset by fragmentary information and
misunderstanding rather than representing a
well explored and well established body of
knowledge at any level. The garbled history of
slavery and. Reconstruction and the complete
failure to anticipate and know how to respond
meaningfully to the contemporary black power
movement are only the most obvious
illustrations in this area of the importance of
what remains to be done. Academic
investigations in this area of the highest
scholarly quality have already begun, mostly in
the African and Afro-American universities.
The interest of all American scholarship would
most certainly be served by extension of these
studies into our other universities, in particular,
predominately white southern universities.

"We also believe that the obligation of
American universities in regard to
Afro-American culture is not satisfied by the
spate of undergraduate programs put together
in response to the demand for recognition of
the subject. It is our opinion that a sincere and
meaningful response requires a balanced and
integrated program of undergraduate and
graduate teaching and research. These three
levels of academic activity will enhance the
possibility of attracting and retaining scholars
of the quality required to make the program
successful. A program of Afro-American studies
without these three levels limits the program to
'tokenism' and does not show a commitment of
higher education to the pursuit of thorough
scholarship.

"The University of Virginia, as one of the
south's most prestigious institutions, is in a
peculiarly strategic position to make a
contribution of great inherent and symbolic
value. Internationally, the unfortunate
reputation enjoyed by the University of
Virginia stemming from earlier relationships
with minority groups makes it all the more
appropriate that this institution initiate a full
program in Afro-American culture. We also
note that the growing interest among the white
students and faculty makes it highly desirable
that the program be inaugurated without
delay."

Following a discussion of the reasoning
behind the proposal, the report goes into its
recommendations. It focuses on five areas of
primary emphasis: history, sociology,
economics, politics, and the arts. These areas
are seen as the core areas of any study of Black
civilization.

After outlining these areas of concern, four
specific recommendations are made. The first
suggests that the University establish an
Institute for Research in Afro-American
Studies, which would provided a data and
research center for the program.

Secondly, the University should provide an
introductory course for those students who