The Black Student at Dartmouth
Mainly through the Dartmouth Afro-American Society he works fora new awareness of his contribution to the life of the College
I N observer of the campus situation A at Dartmouth College may say with considerable certainty that the strongest and most influential agent of social change and awareness at the College is the Dartmouth Afro-American Society. With a membership consisting of almost every black student at Dartmouth (although membership is not closed) the Society within a few short years has accomplished a great deal in terms of recognition of black students in Hanover, »and of black people in this country and around the world.
In order to understand more clearly what the aims and goals of the Dartmouth Afro-American Society are, it is necessary to look at the beginnings of the organization. In the late winter and early spring of 1966 a group of black students at the College, mostly freshmen and sophomores, met many times to discuss their respective experiences and feelings. To a man, they decided that there were certain basic aspects of the Dartmouth Experience which were or could be injurious to the black student. Among these points was the fact that there was a consistent, almost systematic, exclusion of black students from the college activities, thinking in terms of a black student's being able to retain his own identity. Due to a situation not at all peculiar to this school, the black student was (and to a definite extent still is) excluded from having a sense of really participating in activities on campus while being consistent with his own feelings. As a result, the College was doing very little that was relevant to the feelings of black people either in Hanover or off the campus. It was felt by those who were meeting that this situation could not be acquiesced in without basically betraying black people.
The second item which was profoundly troubling the original members of the DAAS was closely connected to the first. Basically, it revolved around the point that it was just too easy while being in Hanover for a black student to lose all sense of identity with, or relevance to, black people in this country. This stemmed from the fact that black students were consistently ignored as black students, while simultaneously there was very little at the College that related to the Black Experience. Consequently, because of the very human desire to feel "a part of things," many black students in the past had renounced their identification with black people, adopting all the values of white people without question, offering little if anything of their own experience. Therefore, through no fault of their own, many black students at all-white campuses such as Dartmouth were forced, in order psychologically to survive, to become as white as their skin would permit (i.e. as much like white people as possible).
These Dartmouth students who met in 1966 decided that it was imperative to react against this compulsory whitewashing by banding together at Dartmouth in order to make the Dartmouth Experience relevant to black people. They were most aware of the very persistent phenomenon in the American tradition which involved the black college student: those who could provide the skills which would lead to the betterment of black communities, which would lead to an acceleration of the progress of black people towards political and economic freedom, were coopted out of black society and into white society. Those who could do tremendous good were indoctrinated with the concept that whatever is connected with black people is inherently inferior, and as a result, black people characteristically left the black community when they became professionals.
Determined that this should not become a necessary corollary of the Dartmouth College traning, so far as black people were concerned, these black students formed the Dartmouth Afro-American Society. Among those who were instrumental in drafting the original constitution were Robert Bennett '69 and William McCurine '69, both from Chicago, Ill.; Dennis Young '69 from Dallas, Tex.; George Spivey '68 from Mizpah, N.J., and F. Woody Lee '68 from Wilmington, Del. Woody Lee was elected the first head of DAAS.
Black Consciousness Stressed
The major point of this first constitution was the statement of dedication to the preservation of black consciousness within the Dartmouth Experience. Implicit in this statement was the dedication also to making Dartmouth relevant to black people in terms of recognition and viable aid, as well as always keeping within perspective the goal of black students returning to black communities.
With these rather unspecific goals in mind, and a definite need for methods of implementation, the progress of the Dartmouth Afro-American Society was held in abeyance until the following fall. It was then that two factors had a definite influence on the movement of the Society. First, the founders of the Society returned with more definite ideas and plans for involving the Dartmouth Afro-American Society in College affairs (at this point the organization was still unofficial by College standards). Secondly, the third relatively large class of black students (18) arrived on campus, most of whom were amenable to the basic ideas of the Dartmouth AfroAmerican Society. These two factors en- abled the Society to move for the first time toward outlining objectives and programs relevant to those objectives. Most of the 1966-67 year was spent attempting to define those goals, objectives, and programs, with a definite emphasis placed on trying to unify black students on the Dartmouth campus.
By spring of 1967, less than a year after the official birth of DAAS, two other significant events took place, events perhaps as significant as those in the fall. One was the official recognition of the Dartmouth Afro-American Society as a campus organization, with all the privileges and status that go with such recognition. The other event was the visit of George Wallace, former governor of Alabama, in May of that year. During Wallace's visit to the campus, there were a certain number of demonstrations and intentionally disruptive activities initiated by black students in protest over what DAAS members felt was the racist and oppressive policies and practices of Wallace in relation to black people.
The activities caused quite a campus controversy as to their legitimacy. Although a great deal of tension was created by what has been termed the "Wallace Incident," most members of the Society did not regret the incident because Dartmouth students finally were forced to recognize the fact that there were certain grievances which the black students, indeed all black people, had, and there was a consequent cognizance of the Dartmouth Afro-American Society as a significant organization.
Quite coincidentally, when Wallace was in Hanover there was national press coverage via radio, television, newspapers, and magazines. As a result, many people who "never knew there were any up there" were made aware of the existence of black students at Dartmouth. Moreover, many people recognized the fact that perhaps there were some students at Dartmouth who were definitely willing to make their experience relevant to black people during the course of their formal training at an institution of higher learning.
It should be remembered that around the country at that time there was a new surge of black awareness, of which the DAAS was only a small part. As a result, there was increased communication between black students at Dartmouth and black students elsewhere, especially in New England. Because of this, the progress of the Society was greatly accelerated with this new influx of ideas.
By the fall of 1967 there was a good indication of the factors within the Dartmouth Afro-American Society that identify it now. At that time there was still some question in regard to a definite programmatical approach. Despite some uncertainty, certain things were decided upon as meriting the full support of the Society.
A Role in Project ABC
Among these was Project ABC. Formally termed the "A Better Chance" Program, it is the objective of this particular venture to take secondary school youngsters with academic potential out of their respective schools if inferior schooling is impeding their academic progress and preventing them from going on to college. Usually, the students in the ABC program are black or Puerto Rican and come from the major urban centers of the United States. In order for the program to be a success, it is necessary for resident tutors to be available to render the tangible aid of teaching as well as assisting in adjustment to a new environmental situation. It is in this respect that the Society has helped. Serving as a resident tutor and as assistant director of the Dresden ABC program in Hanover is William McCurine '69. The other resident tutors during the school year are Hugh Hill '69 from St. Louis, Mo., Julian Reeves' 69 from Tallahassee, Fla., and Richard Porter '7O from Milwaukee, Wis. In addition to the Hanover program, members of the Society who have served during the school year as resident tutors in the ABC program in Andover, Mass., are Ron Talley '69 from New York City, Al Moncure '69 from White Plains, N.Y., and Tom Walker '70 from Corpus Christi, Tex.
Besides this participation with ABC during the school year, there is also a summer program in which members of DAAS have undertaken to make their entire experience during four years relevant in some way to black people. Among those who have served as summer tutors are Larry Stephens '70 from Roosevelt, N. Y.; Tom Parker '69 from Norfolk, Va.; O. C. Syndor '69 from Lynchburg, Va., and George Spivey '68 from Mizpah, N. J. Some who will serve for the first time this summer are Dandre DeSandies '70 from Teaneck, N. J., who will be assistant director along with Bob Pinderhughes '71 from Boston, Mass.; Bob Bennett '69 from Chicago, Ill.; Bill Staudt '70 from Accra, Ghana; and Bob Carter '71 from Cleveland, Ohio.
The rationale behind support of the ABC program is that by helping as many black students as possible to receive college educations it will eventually be possible to vastly improve the situation of black people in this country (if the principle of black consciousness is kept in mind). Moreover, with the expansion of the ABC programs, it is almost taken for granted that there will be increased participation in the ABC program by the Dartmouth Afro-American Society.
In line with the concept of trying to help as many black students as possible to obtain college training, the Society has initiated the NAE (Negro Applications Encouragement) program. The purpose of NAE is for members of the Society to recruit black students from their respective hometowns during vacations. With the cooperation of the Office of Admissions at the College, more than 50 members of the DAAS went to their hometowns specifically for the purpose of trying to persuade black high school seniors and juniors to apply to Dartmouth. Partly in consequence of the NAE effort, more black students (50) were accepted by the College this year than ever before. It is reported that 29 will actually come.
The Society's effort to get black students into college is not confined to Dartmouth. Dennis Young '69 this past fall worked with the CPEO program out of New Haven, in an effort which resulted in the acceptance of over 4,000 black boys and girls into colleges across the country. During the fall and winter, the DAAS cooperated as much as possible with this program and publicized the existence of CPEO during vacations.
A Pre-Freshman Program
In trying further to manifest the original objectives of the Society in programs at Dartmouth, there has been created, on the initiative of the Society, a Bridge Program at Dartmouth. This came out of the thought that it is quite possible that because of the inequities of American life there would be a certain number of black students who, through no fault of their own, would not be as prepared as others to compete in the Dartmouth academic community. Consequently, the Bridge Program was created with the hope that remedial help could be given to some students in their pre-freshman summer. Members of the Society felt that in this way the College would be facing the realities of American life and making an honest attempt to deal with them. Therefore, this summer, the Dartmouth College Bridge Program will begin here in Hanover.
In attempting to accomplish as much as possible in the realm of education, members of the Society have also participated in resident teaching positions in urban ghettos. Presently engaged in such a program in Jersey City, N.J., are Henry Tyson '7O from East Chicago, Ill., and Keith Harewood '70 from Bronx, N.Y. It is expected that DAAS participation in such programs will greatly increase during the next year.
The Dartmouth Afro-American Society's activities have not been completely off the campus, however. In trying to make the Hanover community more relevant to black people, several programs have been undertaken. In the realm of social activity, the Social Committee of the Society, formerly headed by George Spivey '68 and now chaired by Tom Parker '69 and Gary Houston '69 of San Antonio, Tex., has attempted quite successfully to organize events which black students can truly feel a part of. They include parties with black students from girls' schools in New England, social functions during the more auspicious weekends, and athletic events of all sorts. In athletics, Ron Neal '69 from Chicago, Ill., and Charles Johnson '71 from Bronx, N.Y., have been the major organizers.
Black Arts Festival
Perhaps the single most exciting event in this area during this past year was the First Annual Festival of the Black Arts presented by the Society. It consisted of a week of events, exhibitions, and presentations totally dedicated to black art forms of all sorts. Included were a video-tape showing of Day ofAbsence, a reading by black poets Owen Dodson and Leßoi Jones, a speech and subsequent discussion by CORE national chairman Floyd McKissick, and a live presentation of the play Dutchman. In addition, there were performances by the Cecil Taylor Unit and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Coordinated by Gary Houston '69, who was assisted by Bill Geller '71 of Hewlitt, N.Y., the Society as a whole actively supported the Festival, doing inestimable amounts of work of all sorts. As a result, the Black Arts Festival proved to be one of the' most exciting events ever to occur at Dartmouth.
In attempting to keep the black experience continuously relevant to the majority of black people in this country, the Society has from time to time seen fit to involve itself in various activities. One of the most significant was the reaction to the killing of four black college students in Orangeburg, S. C. Because the DAAS felt that the incident resulted from the unjust activities and brutalities of white authorities in Orangeburg, an appeal fund was set up in Hanover, handled by Tom Parker '69 and Phil Morris '69 from St. Louis, Mo. With the full support of the Society and with the use of newspaper and radio publicity, the fund was able (thanks in large measure to the aid of a Thayer Hall fast) to collect $15OO in less than two Weeks. The money was sent to Orange-burg for medical and legal costs of those students involved (final figures: four killed, 50 wounded, and 250 arrested). This effort had the support of most of the Hanover community, the entire activity being marred by the withdrawal of previously committed funds by the Class of 1971 student government.
One very interesting effort of the AfroAmerican Society which is still in existence is the literary journal, Blackout. Published by the Dartmouth Afro-Am and edited by Ron Neal '69 and Richard Porter '70, Blackout contains fiction, commentary, and poetry of members of the Society. The first issue was printed in the fall with a very good reception; a second edition is to appear this spring in an expanded form. This project was undertaken with the intent of providing another vehicle by which the black student at Dartmouth could truly express himself and "act naturally."
As another part of the attempt to make the College and surrounding community aware of the Society, a Speakers Bureau was initiated last fall and is now headed by Isaac Heard '71. With members of the Society speaking at various places, it is hoped that there will be a greater understanding of exactly what the black situation is in this country. And it is hoped that the Bureau will help at least partially with the increasing expenses of the Society.
There have been other attempts by the DAAS to relate both to the College community and to black people, such as the outposts program headed by Don Dayson '70 of Brooklyn, N.Y., which eventually will establish an outpost in the South where Dartmouth students will be able to engage in community work.
Admittedly there are a great many obstacles for the Society to overcome before it can achieve many of its objectives. An example is the antipathy that a significant number of Dartmouth white students have shown for the activities of the Society and its members. However, members of the Society have taken the position that the primary concern of the organization is with the achievement of objectives rather than dealing in campus conflicts. At any rate, it is quite a safe statement to say that the Dartmouth Afro-American Society will be a significant and formidable social and political force on this campus for the next few years.
Shown at a meeting of the Afro-American Society are (I to r) Ron Talley '69, NewYork City; Don Dayson '70, Brooklyn, N.Y. (in doorway); Dandre DeSandies '70,Teaneck, N.J.; Dennis Young '69, Dallas; Bob Bennett '69, Chicago; Charles Johnson'71, Bronx, N.Y.; Bill Staudt '70, Accra, Ghana; and Bob Carter '71, Cleveland.
Tom Walker '70 of Corpus Christi, Texas,who works on DAAS communcations,shown in the Tucker Foundation office.
Guy Mhone '68, in the stacks at BakerLibrary, is from Rumpi, Malawi, Africa.
Students at Dartmouth in the Talladega exchange program are (left to right) LucilleCroom, Ken Ellis, who was enrolled for the winter term, and Ruby Cooper.
Wally Ford '70, author of this article,and. actress Cynthia King had roles in thePlayers' production of "In White America." Ford, from Teaneck, N. J., is publicrelations director for the DAAS.
At meals in Thayer Hall members of the DA AS both congregate and mingle. Shown(left to right) are Dan DeSandies '70, Sid Young '70, and Tony Harley '71.
