The Matheson History Museum commemorated the actions of University of Florida students who fought for their rights to cultivate a Black community on campus.
50th anniversary of Black Thursday at UF recognized
By Voleer Thomas
The University of Florida celebrated and discussed the historical, cultural and institutional impact of a protest that shaped the Black community on campus.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Black Thursday which happened on April 15, 1971 when 70 students marched into President Stephen C. O’Connell’s office with a list of demands, including having the university address the shortage of Black faculty and students at UF.
“What I admired most about the students who protested 50 years ago was their courage of conviction.,” said David A. Canton, Ph.D., director of African American studies at UF. “Many of the students paid the ultimate sacrifice when they withdrew from UF. The students protesting at UF were part of an international movement for freedom and equality.
Mary K
I’ve been in Alabama for 16 years. That should qualify me to be labeled as an Alabamian, right? I spent 14 years at the legendary 957 JAMZ in Birmingham. Since the summer of 2019, I’ve been with the historic 92.9 WTUG. Let me tell you; it has been amazing to be back in the Yellowhammer State.
I am a proud graduate of Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida. You can find me cheering on my alma mater, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. I loved the weather so much, I got a degree in it from Mississippi State University. My dream is to teach communications, so I went ahead and got my master s from Queens University of Charlotte. We’ll funnel all of that under pretty AND educated!