Fisk University protest

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The Fisk University student protest was from 1925-1927. The president of Fisk University was Fayette Mckenzic he had placed a dictatorial rule on campus. He had some of the schools magazines censored, dating and dancing was not allowed, and conversation was not allowed between male and female of different races. He was also supported with money by the Northern Foundations because they were considerate to his request. The Northern Foundation wanted many black schools to abide and teach the Jim Crow Laws and not try to challenge or reject them. The Laws was the same laws that Booker T. Washington was preaching. In May 1925, a very angry W.E.B Du Bois got on a train to go to his alma mater which is Fisk University located in Nashville Tennessee. On June 2, 1925 In the University’s chapel there was the president of the university, students, alumni and other in attendance. W.E.B Du Bois attack Mckenzic with a speech, his speech made the protest more fired up and serious. When the board of trustees had arrived at campus they were greeted by the protest, people screaming statements against Mckenzic and for Deb Bois. Due to the protest the board of trustees suggested that Mckenzic make some compromises. Mckenzic the agreed to the recommended suggestions of the board of trustees, but eventually he broke his promise. The Students would respond to Mckenzic unmade promises by rioting turning over chairs, breaking windows in the chapel while shouting and chanting Deb Bois, and singing songs. Mckenzic responded by calling the police on the students, there were about eighty police officers that had riot guns and searched the men’s dormitory and had beat and arrested the six men that was on the list. The crime that the students got charged with was a felony, the students left the school after being released from jail. The students then organized a protest along with the community which lasted for 8 weeks. The white owned banks and post offices would not service the blacks. Mckenzic then resigns even though he still had the board of trustees support. Due to what happen at Fisk University it caused confrontation between the president and students at Howard University, which led the president to resign and a black president was elected.

[edit] References

Anderson, James. The President as Ethical Role Model: Instituting an Ethic of Leadership at Fisk University in the 1950s. [Online]Available http://www.collegevalues.org/articles.cfm?a=1&id=510

Mitchell, Reavis. Fisk University.[Online]Available http://www.tnstate.edu/library/digital/FISKU.HTM

Wormser, Richard. Fisk University Student Protest.[Online]Available http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_fisk.html, 2002