The Bay Area has become famous worldwide for the student protests that took place here during 1968–1970 centering on protests over the Vietnam War, racial oppression and the need for ethnic studies departments at American colleges and universities.
However, little has been published about the student activism that occurred within in our own SMCCCD college district.
This means there's an exciting opportunity for original research on your part. With so little published, your work will include searching for both primary and secondary sources and if possible, interviewing people who were on campus at Canada, Skyline and the College of San Mateo at that time. You can also contact local historians and librarians at other institutions. You can decide whether you want to also draw some parallels to the unrest that's happening across our nation right now.
I'm available to help you find and evaluate research sources as well as reach out to potential experts. I look forward to working with you on your Honor's project! - Jessica Silver-Sharp, Librarian
The article below was published in the San Francisco Chronicle, May 8, 1970
As a first step toward deciding if student activism is a topic you want to pursue, I encourage you to read an article I wrote in May, 2020 for our faculty union newsletter, The Advocate, here: 50 years ago a different crisis canceled classes. This will give you a better idea of the events that took place in 1970.
Honors Research Students:
Please join me for support or questions during my Zoom office hours Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 http://bit.ly/JSSofficehours
Meeting ID: 975 8172 7708
If I’m missing from the Zoom room, I’ve stepped away briefly and will return shortly.