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hometowns. Bowling classes were enjoyable, SNCC. He had previously touted “Black Power” as
despite the fact that we manually set up pins; and a counter-theme to the non-violent protest
ballet was open, even if you had never had a class. movement which characterized the Civil Rights
Plays in the Fine Arts building were enthusiastically Movement. Based in Atlanta, Stokely and his
attended and student actors often found successor, H. Rap Brown were a frequent
themselves in the company of Broadway Black presence on campus and in our classrooms. In
stars. Music and the Arts were encouraged; glee February, 1968 he spoke to a crowed audience of
club rehearsal, student concerts and exhibits more than 1000 in the Morehouse gymnasium.
formed a major part of our social life, without the With the growth of the Black Power Era came an
necessity of leaving campus. increased emphasis on “blackness” as expressed
in style, art and political awareness. Across the
Although we were not aware of it then, participation
and planning in our departmental clubs and other campus, we developed an enhanced awareness of
organizations encouraged our creativity, cultivated our black identity, renewed interests in African
cooperative spirits and developed leadership skills. History and an appreciation of our cultural heritage.
The clubs also fostered interaction with While encouraged by some professors, notably Dr.
upperclassmen and cemented friendships along Vincent Hardy and Gerald McWhorter, for the most
interests lines. While beginning major courses was part, this student led cultural shift caused tension
were required in the math and science disciplines, between students, the predominantly white faculty,
for the most part our expanded core curriculum and and traditional Spelman values.
variety of electives gave us an opportunity to Dress codes were the first signs of discord.
discover our strengths and explore different subject Afrocentric attire, liberation denim overalls and
areas during our first two years. jeans and afros did not square with Spelman’s
dress code prohibiting pants and jeans. Off-
Black Power
campus SNCC meetings often conflicted with
In May, 1966, curfews. Heated debates challenged western
Stokely oriented interpretations of history and society and
Carmichel called into question the value of their teaching.
became Chair of
