This story was originally written by Doug Magee and printed in the September 19, 1969 issue of The Louisville Cardinal. It is printed here exactly as it was written in The Cardinal. Black Studies was a predecessor to the Pan-African Studies department.

Stafford argues Black Studies provide identity and direction

Hanford Stafford, Black Affairs Coordinator, spoke Monday at the United Campus Ministry luncheon in the Library Lecture Lounge to sixty people on “Black Studies and Causes.” He said that his office would still not exist if it were not for the “courageous act of the young blacks at UL.”

Stafford centered his speech on the national struggle of blacks for Black Studies programs. He then stressed the point that UL’s struggle is not over even though UL has a Black Affairs office with several courses in Black Studies.

In May, Stafford asked for programs working toward Bachelor and Master degrees in Black Studies. At present, only Northwestern, UCLA, and Yale offer these degrees. Stafford said that more such programs are inevitable because “Black Studies are here to stay.”

Stafford spoke of the need for a viable Black Studies program and the resistance by both blacks and whites to such programs. The need is for identity and a sense of direction.

Before these programs can be spread across college campuses, the first priorities of the black activists must be met, says Stafford. This priority is more black students.

Resistance to Black Studies comes from two fronts. The white attitudes are in terms of losing power and control over the universities. Stafford said that these whites don;t know or understand the direction of the programs.

Stafford called blacks that oppose black studies integrationists. The integrationists, according to Stafford, believe that the white man only can help the blacks. They want a limit to what is asked for in Black Studies. The integrationists feel that if too much is demanded there will be repression by whites.

Stafford ended his speech with an optimistic view. He thinks that this first year, costing $400,000 will be a good start for a much-needed program.