Code Switch What the 1968 fight for ethnic studies classes teaches us about today
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Dec 24, 2025 Shereen Marisol Maragi, a journalist known for her compelling storytelling, dives deep into the 1968 San Francisco State strike, a pivotal moment in the fight for ethnic studies. She highlights how the protests were fueled by racial injustices and significant figures like George Murray connected the movement to broader national sentiments. Listeners hear about the formation of the Third World Liberation Front and the push for admissions reform. Maragi emphasizes the lasting impact of this struggle on higher education and the ongoing relevance of ethnic studies today.
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Strike Laid Foundation For Ethnic Studies
- The San Francisco State strike created ethnic studies as an institutional demand, not just individual classes.
- Activists pushed for a College of Ethnic Studies to transform higher education beyond token courses.
Building The First Black Student Union
- Jerry Bernardo and Jimmy Garrett built the first Black Student Union by uniting disparate Black groups on campus.
- They recruited in Black neighborhoods and used the GI Bill and community ties to grow Black enrollment.
Third World Liberation Front Unified Students
- Black students realized they needed allies and formed the Third World Liberation Front with other students of color.
- The TWLF framed their struggle as part of global anti-colonial movements, borrowing language from Vietnam-era liberation groups.