African American Studies Department’s history reveals importance of student mobilization

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I am Agyei Tyehimba, an educator, author and community organizing coach from Harlem, New York. Thirty-three years ago, I was a controversial undergraduate student leader at Syracuse University known by my given name, Quentin Stith. This article recalls my campus and community activism and the importance of Black students identifying and effectively using their political voice to advocate for themselves.

With my undergraduate days now three decades behind me, I often reflect on the importance and impact of my student activist experiences at the university. From my experiences, I’ve learned the importance of solidarity and mobilization. During my academic years and now in my organizing work, I’ve learned what the underpin of such movements are.

However, I want to salute those students who fight to improve our environment, advocate for vulnerable and marginalized populations and challenge institutional racism and injustice as seen during #NotAgainSU. When I first learned of this movement, I was thrilled. Today’s youth are often criticized for being too passive and for being mere social media revolutionaries lacking in political understanding and boots-on-the-ground activism. The student activists behind #NotAgainSU challenged this perception with an impressive array of online petitions, sit-ins, broad-based community organizing and media-savvy actions. As I followed these developments, I thought, our struggle is in good hands. Intergenerational communication is something we lack as a society, but I have faith in today’s youth.

When starting at SU in September 1986, I was a young man on a mission. I wasn’t in college to integrate, but to infiltrate. My mission was to acquire important knowledge and skills which I’d bring back for the purpose of liberating our communities and people. I got into the famed S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, but that ended once I decided my future was not in reporting news.

My first day on campus, I walked right into a Student African American Society protest. The organization, I should note was one of the most powerful and productive student organizations on campus but sadly, yet predictably, I’ve learned that it is now virtually defunct.

I had no way of knowing that this chance encounter would lead me three decades later to become a bestselling author of five books, the co-founder of a middle school, a Black political educator and community organizer and a consultant for countless people and organizations.

My political trajectory within SAS was organic, gradual and modest. I began by being a good supporter. I attended and promoted SAS meetings and events. I became familiar with SAS history by reading every single issue of the organization’s newspaper, Black Voice and copies of The Daily Orange. I hung up fliers around campus and made calls to promote upcoming events.

My SAS administration saw ourselves as continuing and building upon the work and legacy of preceding SAS student activists. The issue most associated with my administration was our fight to rejuvenate the African American Studies Department, which SAS activists fought to establish twenty years earlier.

By 1988, the department suffered from a crumbling infrastructure, an inadequate faculty roster, thin course catalog and a severe lack of funding and support from the University. For example, the department had an interim chairperson. The ceiling of the MLK Library caved in, damaging artwork and books. Few courses were offered because there weren’t enough AAS faculty and those they did have were overworked. We worked to organize a year-long campaign of meetings, press conferences, petition-signings, rallies, community alliance-building, meeting and class disruptions and building takeovers.

In March of 1989, Chancellor Melvin Eggers convened a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly-built $54 million Science & Tech Center, which happened to be directly across the street from the struggling and financially deprived AAS Department. Approximately 400 SAS members disrupted that ceremony, prompting the esteemed guests to hurry over to the Schine Student Center where a prestigious luncheon was scheduled in Goldstein Auditorium.

We disrupted that event as well, and with major media outlets present, welcomed all in attendance to “the largest SAS meeting in history.” The incident forced University officials — the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Arts & Sciences — to the negotiating table.

Our year-long campaign was nothing short of transformative. Major achievements included a physical overhaul of the AAS Department, the hire of a regular chairperson, a state-of-the-art Community Folk Art Gallery, a renovated and award-winning MLK Library and a master’s degree in Pan African Studies. I understand that some of the demands still haven’t been met, but such is typically the case with movements seeking to challenge and transform institutional policies and practices.

People assume that Black-led movements only address Black issues or only benefit Black people. But the aforementioned things were not the only important achievements of SAS at that time. For example, SAS helped to create the blue light system that provides safety for campus pedestrians. SAS negotiated with the campus bus service to extend their hours and to drop students off right in front of their South Campus apartments.

Students especially, need to understand that your education does not just occur in a classroom. The value of what you learn or do isn’t always determined or validated by a grade. Some of your most valuable learning experiences will come from interactions with people without prestigious credentials or accomplishments.

Develop another aspect of higher learning by creating or joining an organization that works to educate, serve and advocate for people. You will definitely develop an immense arsenal of skills and experiences. But more importantly, you will become an agent of transformation in your community and a model for future generations.

Mr. Agyei Tyehimba can be followed here.