Duke Student Movement scrapbook, 2001

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Summary

Abstract:
In March 2001, students formed the group, Duke Student Movement, to protest racism and exclusion on Duke's campus. Student protests were sparked by the publication of a paid advertisement that argued against slavery reparations in the Chronicle. This scrapbook contains clippings, photographs, and Duke Student Movement papers documenting student activism and responses from alumni, faculty, and administration to these events.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
UA.01.10.0002
University Archives Record Group:
01 -- General Information and University History
01 -- General Information and University History > 10 -- African American History at Duke

Background

Scope and content:

This scrapbook was moved from the Black History at Duke Reference Collection where it was titled Black Student Movement scrapbook. It contains materials documenting the student protests that took place at Duke in March 2001. Items include a timeline of events, Duke Student Movement's statement of goals and demands, clippings and articles, photographs, and faculty statements on student protests. Also includes clippings on responses from the surrounding community, and other institutions, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Biographical / historical:

In March 2001, student activists organized to form Duke Student Movement in response to an advertisement published in the Chronicle, a student-run newspaper. The students advocated for more efforts towards making Duke University a more diverse and inclusive community. The paid advertisement titled, "Ten Reasons Why Reparations for Slavery is a Bad Idea and Racist Too" by David Horowitz was published in the newspaper's March 19, 2001, issue. Students and organizations spoke out against the advertisement disputing its historical inaccuracies and presentation of the enslavement of Black people as advantageous for the Black community. The response to this publication would spark discourse on issues of free speech, inclusivity, and racism on campus.

Two students sent out a mass email to the Duke community in a call to action following the publication of the advertisement. A forum attended by students, administrators, alumni, and the local press met on West Campus on March 21, 2001. Protesters organized committees, collected signatures for petitions, and developed a plan for action. Duke Student Movement presented Duke's president, Nan Keohane, with a list of demands and signed petitions on March 22, 2001.

This first list of demands highlighted the group's assertion that the Chronicle failed to address the offensive content and historical inaccuracies in the advertisement. The group demanded a published clarification from the Chronicle on its policy on paid advertisements. The list also included appeals for increased diversity recruitment, a dedicated cultural space for Black students, and a request to rename the African and Afro-American Studies program to African and African American Studies.

On March 25, 2001, Duke Student Movement members reconvened to discuss a new list of demands. With these revised demands, the group highlighted the university's failure to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students of color.

This scrapbook was compiled by Janaka Brown, Jazmine Sutton, Jessie Pinkrak, Kandi Chitman, and Ebony Scales.

Acquisition information:
Source is unknown.
Processing information:

The Duke Student Movement scrapbook was originally a part of the Black History at Duke Reference collection as the Black Student Movement scrapbook. It was moved to this collection and renamed Duke Student Movement scrapbook in March 2023. Scrapbook title devised by the archivist.

Processed by April Blevins, March 2023

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright for official university records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Duke Student Movement scrapbook, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m19m9p