Draft:1972 Students United of Southern University

1972 Students United Student Movement at Southern University Baton Rouge

I. Background

In the late 1960s, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) experienced significant civil unrest following the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As young activists became aware of their critical roles in the broader movement they focused on issues impacting their futures, particularly the educational conditions within their institutions. Black students at HBCUs recognized that disparities in facilities, resources, and funding compared to white institutions would result in unequal career opportunities after graduation. This realization galvanized them to take action.

The Southern University Student Movement

The Southern University student movement in Baton Rouge emerged in response to critical issues of social justice and institutional reform during the early 1970s. It all began with the Psychology Club's engagement with the owner of the Ann Theater on Scenic Highway, and swiftly evolved into a broader movement addressing a spectrum of grievances. This eventually led to the formation of Students United, a coalition of students committed to effecting change on their campus and uplifting the Black community.

The Ann Theater on Scenic Highway was in disrepair and primarily showed adult films, inappropriate for the children who often attended. Led by President Charlene 'Sukari' Hardnett, the Psychology Club sought to address these issues, inspired by Dr. Charles Waddell, chairman of the Psychology department, who emphasized students’ responsibilities to their community and the empowerment of the Black community.

Initially, the club's attempts to engage the theater owner were met with resistance. However, after organizing a community boycott, the owner agreed to renovate the theater and offer age-appropriate films. This temporarily halted the boycott, but when the owner failed to follow through on the agreement, the students renewed their efforts against the theater.

At Southern University, professors advocating for nation-building within the Black community were removed, while white professors exhibiting prejudiced behavior were retained. This disparity in treatment contributed to the emergence of a university-wide movement. Additionally, unfulfilled commitments by Southern University to expand resources for the Psychology Department's experimental and statistical testing led to Dr. Charles Waddell's resignation, as he cited insufficient administrative support for the department.

Students United is formed

Recognizing that change required the support and persistence of those most affected by the university's inadequacies, the student body came together under the banner of Students United. This organization was formed in the fall of 1972, bringing together a coalition of 41 campus organizations. Notably, Blackstone Society of the Political Science Department, led by Rickey ‘Malik’ Hill, played a critical role in forming Students United and developing organizing tactics.

Students United included all Southern University students involved in and sympathetic to the movement, but a more centralized group would make up its core leadership. These students met faithfully to organize goals, objectives, and strategies to present to the student body, the university administration and state legislators. The core members included Charlene ‘Sukari’ Hardnett, Ricky ‘Malik’ Hill, Herget ‘Sababu’ Harris, Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Howard, Paul Shrivers, and Fredrick ‘Fred’ Prejean.

Significantly, Students United deliberately operated as a leaderless organization. The name itself, chosen with purpose, emphasized that there would be no single leader. Instead, the students were 'students' united in their mission to create change on campus and empower the Black community. The grievances they brought to the administration and their unwavering commitment to social justice encompassed the feelings of most students at Southern University.

The Southern University student movement in Baton Rouge exemplified the power of collective action and student-led initiatives in challenging systemic inequalities and advocating for meaningful change within their institution and community.

Student Grievances: Demands for Change

The Students United movement was characterized by its resolute demands for systemic change within historically black educational institutions, particularly at Southern University. Central to their activism was a comprehensive list of grievances aimed at addressing longstanding inequities faced by students of color.

Among the primary demands was equal institutional funding. Students United insisted that their institution receive funding comparable to predominantly white institutions to rectify resource disparities. They also advocated for a modernized curricula that would better equip students for the job market and enhance their ability to contribute positively to their communities. Recognizing the integral role of health in academic success, they highlighted access to healthcare as a fundamental necessity, encompassing both physical and mental well-being.

Furthermore, the movement called for improved facilities, seeking upgraded and equitable spaces for learning, living, and recreation. A critical aspect of their agenda was participation in decision-making, where students demanded a voice in the governance of their institutions, emphasizing the importance of their perspectives on policy, budgeting, staffing, and curricula.

Despite their organized efforts, Students United faced significant resistance from the university administration, particularly from President Dr. George Leon Netterville. Meetings with him yielded little progress, as he often deferred to the State Board of Education and other non-university administrators, leading students to perceive him as a figurehead shielding those truly responsible for the stagnation of their concerns. Ultimately, realizing that the power to effect change did not rest with President Netterville, Students United escalated their advocacy by directing their grievances to the State Board of Education and the Governor of Louisiana, seeking more immediate and impactful resolutions to their demands.

As Students United sought the University's consideration of their concerns, the students were met with great resistance. Several meetings with Southern University's President, Dr. George Leon Netterville, provided no relief. The students regarded his need to always confer with the State Board of Education, and other non-university administrators, as proof that he was but a face intended only to shield those responsible for the decisions that kept the University, and its students, stagnant. After concluding that the power to produce the demanded change did not lie with President Netterville, the students took their concerns directly to the source of their grievances, the State Board of Education, then to the Governor of Louisiana.

II. Chronology of Students United

Students United assembled a chronology of events of their struggle and accepted an offer by Fisk University Sociology Professor Dr. Abdul Alkalimat (formerly Gerald McWorter), to have them published by the Peoples College Press. They published a document titled, “Support yOur Struggle – Documents of Students United,” so that their truth could be recorded into history. The following events were extracted from that document, along with A Chronology of a Crisis at Southern University and newspaper articles that support the plight of Students United.

The 1972 Students United Movement at Southern University Baton Rouge was a momentous student-led civil rights movement. It's aim was to address a range of grievances, including demands for increased student participation in university governance, the removal of key administrators, and changes in the university's policies. This movement gained nationwide attention and was characterized by nonviolent protests, boycotts, and negotiations. The following chronology details the key events and developments during the movement.

The Students United movement emerged in October 1972 in response to the resignation of Professor Charles Waddell, which students attributed to the university administration's failure to support the community and its instrumental instructors. The movement began on October 16, when students organized a meeting with university president Dr. Leon Netterville to advocate for change. Protests intensified, culminating in a late-night demonstration at Netterville's home on October 17. By October 18, Dr. Waddell had formally resigned, prompting Students United to seek ways to articulate and address their grievances.

Over the following days, Students United grew increasingly organized, distributing documents related to faculty resignations and removals and calling for a meeting with university administrators. On October 20, tensions escalated as students confronted the administration about alleged misrepresentations regarding their protests. This led to a mass meeting where approximately 2,000 students declared their intention to boycott classes. The movement gained momentum with the drafting of a formal list of grievances and demands for greater representation within university governance.

Students United's activism included a significant march to the State Capitol on October 24, where they demanded the resignations of key university officials, garnering media attention and prompting intervention from Governor Edwin Edwards. As the situation unfolded, the administration's response was perceived as inadequate, leading to ongoing negotiations and class boycotts throughout late October and early November.

Despite efforts to mediate the crisis, tensions continued to rise, culminating in confrontations with law enforcement. On November 16, the situation escalated dramatically, resulting in tragic violence that left two students dead. The aftermath saw the university administration taking punitive actions against faculty members supportive of the protests, leading to further unrest and calls for accountability.

The Students United movement represented a significant chapter in the history of student activism at Southern University, highlighting broader issues of governance, representation, and social justice within educational institutions.

III. The Aftermath of the November 16th Tragedy

On November 16, 1972, a tragic incident occurred on the Baton Rouge campus of Southern University, resulting in the deaths of Denver Smith and Leonard 'Douglas' Brown, who were fatally shot by law enforcement. The incident unfolded in front of the Administration Building, where the victims lay in blood before their bodies were removed from the scene. Additionally, Leonard Jackson and James E. Jackson sustained injuries from the shootings that took place on that fateful day.

Following the tragic events, James E. Jackson faced charges of disturbing the peace and interfering with an officer after his hospital release, though these charges were later dropped without a court appearance. The aftermath saw the expulsion and banning of nine students from Southern University as of February 6, 1973, with some being core members of a movement and others having minimal involvement. Furthermore, faculty members were terminated without due process for their alleged involvement in the movement.

Media coverage at the time characterized supporters as radical and militant, perpetuating a false narrative that President Netterville was being held hostage in the Administration Building. However, it was later revealed, according to the Attorney General's report, that Netterville had left the building to attend a State Board meeting long before law enforcement arrived. He had requested the students to await his return, and there was no hostage situation as initially reported. The misinformation led to the nonviolent students being met with inhumane force by law enforcement officers.

In the aftermath of litigation, subsequent bans, and expulsions, some affected students were unable to continue their educational pursuits in Louisiana. Hindered by a negative reputation, they were compelled to relocate to other states to pursue academic and professional careers. The state upheld the University's misrepresentation of student actions and overall movement objectives.

Fred Prejean and Louis J. Anthony, initially banned and expelled, had their bans and expulsions overturned, allowing them to receive their degrees with stipulated University involvement moving forward. Chester 'Toki' Stevens, though neither banned nor expelled, was denied participation in the graduation ceremony due to his involvement. He received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering by mail. Ola Sims faced probation due to her involvement but ultimately received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology during the May 1973 graduation ceremonies.

The events of November 16, 1972, left lasting unresolved trauma for the courageous students who had relentlessly advocated for a progressive Southern University System. Members of Students United, along with bystanders who witnessed the tragedy, became victims of an administration that refused to acknowledge their pleas for years to come.

IV. Legacy

The impactful demonstrations led by Students United have engendered enduring transformations on the Southern University campus, leaving an indelible mark to this day. The University, influenced by the sacrifices of Students United, has institutionalized a Faculty Senate and expanded its program offerings to better address the needs and interests of the Black community. An annual appointment of a student representative to the Faculty Senate ensures a dedicated voice for the student body, empowering them to contribute to proposals on its behalf.

In a poignant tribute to the memory of Denver Smith and Leonard 'Douglas' Brown, Southern University has bestowed the name Smith-Brown Memorial Union upon the Student Union. Additionally, a marker has been placed near the site where their lives were tragically cut short, serving as a solemn commemoration of their deaths. The events that transpired at the University in the Fall of 1972 have been thoughtfully preserved through digital archiving efforts, ensuring that the historical significance endures. The University also installed a digital podium within the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union, providing a platform to recount the narrative of Students United and the tragic events of November 16, 1972. This initiative serves as a testament to the University's commitment to preserving and disseminating the history of Students United, acknowledging the pivotal role played by these events in shaping the institution's trajectory.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary on November 16, 2022, a historic commemoration ceremony marked the first-ever formal acknowledgment of Students United, providing a platform for the gathering and documentation of their truth. During this significant event, Students United was honored with proclamations from the Louisiana Governor's office, the Baton Rouge Mayor's office, and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. These commendations recognized the bravery of Students United and their steadfast commitment to exercising their rights to peaceably assemble and express their freedom of speech. Notably, Governor John Bel Edwards issued a state apology, extending condolences not only to the families of the deceased students but also to Students United and all other students whose lives were profoundly impacted by the tragic events of that day. The commemoration ceremony served to illuminate the enduring trauma endured by Students United, allowing them to be celebrated as heroes of their generation.

While no measures could erase the pain endured on November 16, 1972, or during the subsequent 50 years in which their trauma remained concealed, members of Students United exhibited remarkable resilience. Despite facing such adversity, they went on to achieve success in diverse fields, including law, mathematics, engineering, academia, activism, literature, and as providers for their families. Their roles as changemakers at Southern University were not confined to that specific moment but rather a testament to their innate qualities as change agents. The events of November 16, 1972, may have tested their endurance, but their unwavering commitment to the development of Black social consciousness remains and will continue to be an everlasting legacy.