Third World Liberation Front strikes of 1968 facts for kids

The Third World Liberation Front (TWLF) was a group of student organizations formed in 1968. These groups came together on college campuses in California. They wanted to change the way education worked. Students felt that the lessons focused too much on European history and culture. They also wanted more diverse students and teachers at their schools.

The TWLF played a big part in creating new study programs. These programs, called Ethnic Studies, focused on the history and cultures of different groups of people. These new studies became popular at universities across the United States.

After the Civil Rights Movement, many student groups joined forces. These included groups for Black, Latin American, Chinese, Mexican American, Pilipino American, and Native American students. Together, they started the first student strikes in California. These strikes showed how important it was to have more diverse viewpoints in education. The TWLF strikes caught the attention of university leaders. Even the Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, noticed them. These student protests began in 1968 and lasted for many months. Because of the TWLF, the first College of Ethnic Studies was created at San Francisco State. The first Ethnic Studies Department also started at Berkeley. More teachers of color were hired, and more minority students joined colleges.

Student Protests at San Francisco State College

A major student and teacher strike began on November 6, 1968. It lasted until March 21, 1969. This was the longest student strike ever at a US school. Students protested that education only focused on European ideas. They demanded a new department for Ethnic Studies. They also wanted more teachers and students from diverse backgrounds. Students felt that their education did not include their own life experiences.

How the San Francisco Strike Started

Problems between students and school leaders began earlier. On May 2, 1967, students protested in the president's office. They were upset about the school sharing student academic records. Later, some important teachers of color were suspended or fired. This led to the creation of the Third World Liberation Front.

One year before the big strike, a student newspaper editor was attacked. This happened after he wrote an article against funding for Black history classes. The Black Student Union (BSU) wanted these classes. They said the classes would help "awaken and develop black awareness." Tensions grew, and the school president closed the campus for a time. During this period, there were also protests against the Vietnam War. These added to the stress between students and the school.

In March 1968, the TWLF took over the school's YMCA building. They wanted to keep a respected teacher from being fired. They also made other demands:

• End military training (ROTC) on campus.
• Keep Professor Juan Martinez.
• Admit 400 students from disadvantaged neighborhoods.
• Hire nine more teachers from minority groups.

This protest ended with police arriving and many arrests.

In fall 1968, a Black Studies Department was formed. But tensions remained high. A teacher named George Mason Murray was suspended. This happened after he made strong comments at another college. The school leaders faced pressure to suspend him. This led the BSU to threaten a strike. The TWLF then presented 15 demands to the university.

TWLF Strike at University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley, also had a Third World Liberation Front group. They started the second longest student strike in US history. Their reasons were similar to those at San Francisco State. They wanted to change the Eurocentric education. They also wanted to add discussions about identity and fairness into school lessons.

The Berkeley strike started on January 22, 1969. But unrest had been building for a long time. In June 1968, the mayor of Berkeley, California declared an emergency. This was due to students protesting in support of strikes in Paris, France. In February 1969, 13 students were arrested and suspended. These included leaders like Manuel Ruben Delgado and LaNada Means.

The TWLF strike at Berkeley became more intense than the one at San Francisco State. There were more incidents of police using force against students. Teachers and campus workers also joined the strike. Many university teachers supported the students. Students and teachers who did not directly support the TWLF still protested the police presence. The situation became so serious that Governor Ronald Reagan declared an "extreme emergency." The Berkeley President banned demonstrations on campus. But students continued to protest. There were clashes between the National Guard and students.

Despite the challenges, their efforts led to big changes. The first Ethnic Studies Department in the United States was created at Berkeley on March 7, 1969. Soon after, the first College of Ethnic Studies in the US opened at San Francisco State on March 20.

How the Berkeley Strike Started

In April 1968, the Afro-American Studies Union (AASU) at Berkeley proposed a Black Studies Program. School leaders discussed the idea. But in December, a committee met without a student present. They could not decide if Black Studies should be a small program or a full department.

In August, the Mexican-American Student Confederation (MASC) asked the university to stop buying grapes. They wanted to support striking farm workers. The university agreed at first. But Governor Reagan spoke against this decision. The university was forced to buy grapes again. Eleven MASC students were arrested when they tried to meet with the president.

Key Moments of the UCB Strike

In January 1969, several student groups joined to form Berkeley's Third World Liberation Front. They created a Strike Support Committee. Their demands included:

• Create a "Third World College" with four departments.
• Hire more minority people for all school jobs.
• Provide financial help and support for minority students.
• Offer work-study jobs for minority students in their communities.
• Let minority groups control all minority-related programs.
• No punishment for student strikers.

The Los Angeles Times newspaper wrote about the strike. It described how police used clubs against students. Many students were arrested and suspended. However, on March 8, the school leaders agreed to most of the TWLF's demands. This included creating the Department of Ethnic Studies.

Why the Name "Third World Liberation Front"?

Students at San Francisco State University and UC Berkeley chose the name "Third World Liberation Front" in 1968 and 1969. They saw a connection between their struggles and global "Third World Liberation" movements. These movements aimed to free countries from colonial rule. The students felt their fight for better education in the US was similar. They wanted to "decolonize" education and create a "Third World College" on their campuses.