ABS History
1967 Association of Black Collegiates formed.
Purpose: To provide Washington University African-American Students with a vehicle through which important
issues would be presented to fin university.
This year one of the main focus points for ABC was campus and Clayton police treatment of Black students.
Among other things, an incident of harassment moved the students to create the Black Position Paper and hold a 9 day sir-in
in Brookings.
1968 There was a peaceful march to Brookings and a nine day sit-In. (pivotal location because it
was the location of "a computer which was instrumental to operating the university, and if deemed necessary they could "blow
the computer up!). The students took with them a copy of the Black Position Paper,
which:
-
outlined the pressing and immediate needs and concerns that Black
people face on Washington Universitys campuspointed to the areas to which quick, thoughtful, and meaningful attention must
be directed...hinted at and suggested programs and means by which this long-standing unheeded and volatile situation could
be alleviated.
-Quoted from the Black Manifesto
1968 The Black Manifesto was written and presented to the University.
[The Black Manifesto] expounds upon the ideas, conditions, programs, and demands set forth in the Black
Position Paper. This document specifies, clarifies and gives a modus operandi for the ten particular points raised.
Institution of a Black Studies Program; Employment Aid Promotional Policy regarding Black People; Financial
Aid for Black students:
Increased Black Enrollment; General Awareness and Sensitivity of the Administration, Staff, and Faculty;
University Research of which Black People are the Objects; Permanent Office and Meeting Facilities.
1969 BlackStudies Program was instituted under the direction of Dr. Robert Williams
("father of Black Psychology" created the BITCH test Black Intelligence
Test to Counter Honkeism).
ABC became ABS, Association of Black Students.
1969-
1975 Political wreck-shop. ABS was just doin thangs. Monumental people are members,
including Dr. Helan Page (anthropologist who designated term White Public Space).
***Also some time during the early 70s the Black Arts and Sciences Festival was started
1977 Bicentennial Review
1978 Re-evaluation of Black Manifesto
1983 ABS president Clarence Robie succeeds in getting a student seat on the Board of Trustees, a
first for any student group.
1986 President Stephanie Lewis makes Board of Trustees seat permanent, also a first for
any student group.
1987 Political affairs chair leads action against Washington University supporting Apartheid
in South Africa.
1988 Kevin Foster initiates analysis of Admissions processes regarding minority students.
1988-
1992 Period of Programming growth for ABS. Many firsts including Kwaanza
Celebration, Mentor Program and ABS library.
1992 Gerald Early becomes chairof AFAS. Aaron Grier lends series of meetings in protest to the fact
that the chairs of the program consistently being people with no background in African or African American Studies.
1992 Significant loss of Black Professors
Another incident of Police harassment moves Dean Glore to establish a system of checks and balances
for the police which included monthly meetings with students, administration, and police.
1993 President Elsa Wentling leads ceremonial march on Brookings
1992- Chancellors Fellows and Mellon Research Fellowship instituted.
1994
1994 Jarvis Deberry and Brent - start Lions Roar Black literary Publication
1995 Period of Growt
ABS began working with community organizations.
ABS boycotts Thurtene for not admitting qualified Black applicants
First year of Peat-Doctoral Fellow Program through AFAS
ABS Safe Zone Controversy
Realization that the checks and balances system for campus police had dissolved
1996 Black Greek Council started
Levi Funches on Thurtene
First Day of Atonement celebration
Dinner with Post Docs
Ad hoc Committee on Community involvement
1997/8 Celebrated ABS 3Oth Anniversary
This year ABS reviewed the Black Manifesto once again and formed a committee of members to come up
with a way to address the concerns that were still relevant 30 years later. The document created is the Action Proposal.
There was a ceremonial march on Brookings and the Action Proposal was presented to Chancellor Wrighton.
Trip to Philadelphia at time of Million Woman March
Spring 2003: Members of the Exec Board made a trip to Washington, D.C. for the Affirmative Action March
ABS 2004-2005
Fall 2004: ABS raised over $900 for the Give Thanks, Give Back community service program.
We also established networks with other STL schools including Harris Stowe State University, Saint
Louis University, and Webster University.
ABS celebrated Black History Month with a full calander of events
First Ever ABS African and African American Studies Professors' Appreciation Day
First Annual Rumble on the Swamp- ABS v. BSA tackle football game.
First Annual ABS Celebrations Weekend Panel and Brunch
ABS 2005-2006
