The Skiff, February 5, 1971, "Walkout Spurs Black Outcry"
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Title
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The Skiff, February 5, 1971, "Walkout Spurs Black Outcry"
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Description
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The Skiff, Friday, February 5, 1972
Walkout Spurs Black Outcry
by Johnny Livengood, Greg Burden and George Stone
Voluntary withdrawl of four black athletes from the University's grid squad Thursday triggered a chain of demands by black students generally.
The four players are Larry Dibbles, Hodges Mitchell, Raymond Rhodes, and Ervin Garnett. They officially removed themselves from the team Wednesday.
Underlying the statement released at a 9 a.m. press conference was the charge of racist attitudes among general and athletic administrations of the University.
In a meeting Wednesday night at Clark Dormitory blacks, led by Eddie Miles and SAAC president Franklin Callaway, determined now was the time for action in fighting institutionalized racism as well as writing the demands for the press conference the next morning. The students discussed inadequacies of the recruiting systems for blacks and a black studies program. After the decisions were made their previous nervousness changed to a calm strength coming from their commitment. During the writing of the press release, they joked about Coach Jim Pittman, Dr. J.M. Moudy, and the possibilities of being thrown out of school for their actions.
General Denial
First, they denied that the black athletes left, as Pittman claimed, because of inadequate social life and that the reasons are based on the policy changes and dress codes.
Second, they charged discrimination against Jennifer Giddings, 1970 Homecoming Queen. The blacks charge she was purposely excluded from Cotton Bowl activities in which she was entitled to participate. A formal public apology, to be printed in the 1971 edition of the Horned Frog on an entire page across from the Queen's picture, was demanded.
Because of the unique problems related to blackness the students also demanded that a black minister and black psychologist be hired to handle these problems and that more black professors be hired for more relevant teaching. They feel the exposure would also be educational for the white students as well.
A full investigation of the denial of the enrollment of Jimmie Leach was also demanded. Because they feel that Leach was denied under questionable circumstances they want to determine if discrimination has taken (continued on page 8)
Photo caption: At Thursday's Press Conference Frank Callaway, Larry Dibbles, Jennifer Giddings, and Eddie Miles answered reporter's questions.
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Source
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https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/15353
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Date
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1971-02-05
Skiff_1971-02-05_001.jpg