Black Student Organization (BSO)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10920/40932

This collection includes documents and photographs related to Kalamazoo College's Black Student Organization (BSO) which was formed in 1968. Many of the documents relate to the organization's protests in 1968 and 1969 during which it demanded increased enrollment of Black students as well as the hiring of more Black faculty and staff. The protest documents consist mostly of letters to and from the College's President, Weimer K. Hicks, and the BSO but also include comments and revisions by members of the administration to the College's responses as well as committee meeting minutes. Also included in the collection are photos and documents related to the Black Arts Festival, chapel programs, and other BSO sponsored events.

Browse

Now showing 1 - 5 of 79

Samaria Rice Presents: The Justice for Tamir Speak Out Tour flyer
(Kalamazoo College, 2016-03-09)
Flyer advertising a speaking and discussion event with Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice. Collaboration between the Tamir Rice Justice Foundation and various identity-based organizations at Kalamazoo College.
BSO Protest, 1969
(Kalamazoo College, 1969-05)
Four members of the Black Student Organization (BSO) stand in protest in front of the Fine Arts Building, probably on Saturday, May 17, 1969 protest after the BSO rejected the college administration's response to their demands. Standing, left to right, are: Rosamuel Dawkins, Brenda Alexander, Herb Lindsay, and Jackie Cary.
Afro Fiesta Desi Soul program 2017
(Kalamazoo College, 2017)
Program of student organization descriptions for AFDS night 2017
Afro Fiesta Desi Soul Flyer 2014
(Kalamazoo College, 2014-02)
Flyer advertising AFDS event for winter quarter 2014
BSO Protest, 1969
(Kalamazoo College, 1969-05)
Members of the Black Student Organization (BSO) stand in protest in front of the Fine Arts Building. This may have been the Saturday, May 17, 1969 protest in which the BSO rejected the college administration's response to their demands. According to a May 23, 1969 article in The Index, "Early in the afternoon an ultimatum was sent by the BSO to Dr. Hicks stating, 'Your reply to our demands was totally inadequate. We reject it. Your response is evidence that the racism that permeates American society is present in the administration and faculty of this college.'" The demands of the BSO included more courses with a focus on Black culture, literature, and history as well as increased enrollment of Black students, funding tor the BSO, changes to campus housing assignments, and the use of a college' owned property on the northside of Kalamazoo.

Browse

Recent Submissions