AAS 205 Assignment on SF State Strike

AAS 205 - Fall 2002

Week 1

Assignment 1 - San Francisco State 'Third World' Strike 1968-69
Reading and written assignment [due Wed 9/4 in beginning of class]

1. If you haven't already seen it - View the Film in the Library - 3rd floor - ['On Strike! : SF State, 1969']

AV# 80059 On Strike! San Francisco State, 1969 Video Cassette - 20 minutes - B - 1969 An in-depth study of the people and the issues behind the SFSC strike, and how it related to the national struggle. The real nature of the Black Student Union and third world demands are laid out.
2   Read the Demands of the BSU and the TWLF below

3. Read the chronology of the strike - http://www.library.sfsu.edu/strike/timeline.html

4. Read short handouts by Alex Hing from East Wind and Peter Kiang from Gidra

5. Answer the following questions [minimum 500 words typed/double-spaced - due wed 9/4 in beginning of class]:

    a.     Do you think the sf state student strikers successful in meeting their demands in 1968-69? explain.
    b.     What do you think is the legacy of the SF State Third World strike?
    c.     What role do you think you and students today should be playing today in maintaining the vision of the students from the 1968-69 strike? Draw from your experience in answering the question.

6. Extra reading - additional sources - http://www.library.sfsu.edu/strike/

Demands of Striking Students - SF State 1968/69

Demands of the Black Students Union

That all Black Studies courses being taught through various departments be immediately part of the Black Studies Department and that all the instructors in this department receive full-time pay.

That Dr. Hare, Chairman of the Black Studies Department, receive a full-professorship and a comparable salary according to his qualifications.

That there be a Department of Black Studies which will grant a Bachelor's Degree in Black Studies; that the Black Studies Department chairman, faculty and staff have the sole power to hire faculty and control and determine the destiny of its department.

That all unused slots for Black Students from Fall 1968 under the Special Admissions program be filled in Spring 1969.

That all Black students wishing so, be admitted in Fall 1969.

That twenty (20) full-time teaching positions be allocated to the Department of Black Studies.

That Dr. Helen Bedesem be replaced from the position of Financial Aid Officer and that a Black person be hired to direct it; that Third World people have the power to determine how it will be administered.

That no disciplinary action will be administered in any way to any students, workers, teachers, or administrators during and after the strike as a consequence of their participation in the strike.

That the California State College Trustees not be allowed to dissolve any Black programs on or off the San Francisco State College campus.

That George Murray maintain his teaching position on campus for the 1968-69 academic year.

Demands of the Third World Liberation Front

That a School of Ethnic Studies for the ethnic groups involved in the Third World be set up with the students in each particular ethnic organization having the authority and control of the hiring and retention of any faculty member, director, or administrator, as well as the curriculum in a specific area study.

That 50 faculty positions be appropriated to the School of Ethnic Studies, 20 of which would be for the Black Studies program.

That, in the Spring semester, the College fulfill its commitment to the non-white students in admitting those who apply.

That, in the fall of 1969, all applications of non-white students be accepted.

That George Murray and any other faculty person chosen by non-white people as their teacher be retained in their positions.

Go to the sf state student strike website for more background information - http://www.library.sfsu.edu/strike/

back to the top