University of Virginia Library

The NAACP's protest against
the Student Aid Foundation's
Peter, Paul and Mary concert.
Saturday focused attention on a
real problem at U. Va.-for all
extents and purposes we appear
to be lily-white. We are responsible
for an "image" which discourages
African international students as
well as black athletes from applying.
As one coach said, "The
Negro boy has a very hard time
fitting in at U. Va." While the
real problem may be in the procrustean
"fitting in" ethos which
pervades the grounds, the race
problem is one of its most visible
manifestations.

The fact that the coaches, the
University, and the Student Aid
Foundation have been unable to
induce a "Jackie Robinson" to
attend may indicate something
about their recruiting efforts. But
it says far more about the University
and its student body. Why,
225 years after our founder's birth,
do black students feel uncomfortable
here?....perhaps the even
sadder truth is that U. Va. reflects
America too authentically.

Some had hoped P, P & M,
great advocates of and contributors
to the civil rights movement, would
criticize their lily-white audience or
rebuke our semi-segregated establishment.
But PP&M did far more
than that. Their message was not
one of rejection of the present
but rejoicing in the future. Their
irrepressible hope and confidence
swept everyone in U. Hall to their
feet. Here was unembarrassed affirmation
of LOVE, JUSTICE,
PEACE. They sang of changing
times when all men would be
brothers, when war would be no
more. They cheered while we "tear
this building down" and affirm the
fullness of life. Their power came
from the truth and beauty of their
message. And just as it happened
Saturday night, they are saying,
it can happen everywhere men will
be men, and allow men to be men.

Listen again to "Blowin' in the
Wind" and "If I had a Hammer"
-they ought to be a rallying cry
for a new semester as we seek
to affirm what we sang in spirit
and life, "the times they are a-changin''."