HERITAGE: THE BLACK STUDENT ORGANIZATION

REMEMBERING THE BLACK STUDENT ORGANIZATION

During the 1970s, many Black students from racially segregated areas of the U.S. attended Gustavus. These pioneering Gusties started the Black Student Organization, which became the Pan African Student Organization, out of which grew the Diversity Center, now the Center for Inclusive Excellence. This summer, the Quarterly joined video chats with several BSO alumni. Here are excerpts from the conversations. For extended excerpts, visit gustavus.edu/rememberingthebso.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Eric Johnson ’76 (Louisiana and Los Angeles) In 1972, Minnesota cast a huge number of [presidential primary] votes for Shirley Chisholm. I thought, what kind of state is this?

Isacc Birdlong ’78 (Greenwood, MS) I was in Co-Ed on third floor, and I kept seeing only white people. I started crying. Then I saw one Black person coming. It was Otis Zanders (’77). I ran into him so hard I got knocked down. It became a running story.

STRUGGLES IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM TR Coverson ’78 (Atlanta, GA) It was more demanding because the competition was set at a higher pace than where I had come from. Add to that, there were very few cultural relaxation points. One time, this guy comes up to me out of the blue and says, “I hate Black people.” I ask, “What Black people have you ever known?” He says, after a long pause, “George Jefferson.”

Terry Handy ’80, (Sledge, MS) I got to do some new things— snow skiing and riding a snowmobile. Being away from campus was a nice departure because lots of people on campus and in Saint Peter had never seen a Black person before.

Bridgett McCarthy ’78, (Houston, TX) We had study groups—not with our major, with all of us. We needed encouragement from each other until we were confident enough to go out and associate with white students.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BSO Carol (Nelson) Browder ’79 (Memphis, TN) Going from an allBlack to an all-white community, having that support system when I needed a taste of home, that was important.

Michelle (Swann) Hightower ’82 (Marrietta, GA) It was my foundation. It was my strength. I had someone to talk to about my experiences. It got me to where I am today.

WHAT THEY LEARNED AT GUSTAVUS Thomas Joubert ’76 (Houston, TX) It taught me how to deal with adversity, to get through business people knowing you’ll have to work harder for a job, to use resources to get what you need and want, and to have a good time.

Hightower I learned how to talk to the racists, the advocates, the middle-of-the-road. If I had not had that experience, my introduction to corporate America would have been harder. I had to figure out how to navigate, to move up the ladder. I learned that being at Gustavus.

Heritage

Gustavus needs to be clear about what it will and will not tolerate; say what you mean and mean what you say. Provide a safe space for unpacking issues and anger. Students and staff: Be learned.

—Patricia Clark ’78 (Chicago, IL)

You don’t clap your hands and say, ‘Now we’ve arrived!’ with inequity and racism. Stay

in the game.” —Lucy (Nelson) Zanders ’77 (Memphis, TN)

“The Black Room was a kind of a haven, a psychological reprieve in an academic and racially tense situation. Was a cultural escape.” —TR Covington ’78. Back, l to r: Walter [unidentified], Marylyn Nixon [year unkown], Geraldine (Lafayette) Coverson ’78, Patricia Kelow ’77, Thaddeus Campbell ’77, PJ [unidentified], Eddie Robinson ’76, Michelle (Swann) Hightower ’82, Lucy (Nelson) Zanders ’77, Patricia Clark ’78, Cheryl (Brackery) Watts ’77; front l to r: Mary [unidentified], Isacc Birdlong ’78, Beverly (Davis) Clayborn ’76, Eric Johnson ’76, Al Sawyer ’79, Curtis Wilburn ’78; front: Otis Zanders ’77. Recognize friends who are unidentified here? Let us know: alumni@gustavus.edu.