ROOTS "Ready for Revolution: Student Activism at Howard U."

Howard University “ROOTS Association: Civic Engagement and Cultural Awareness presented “Ready for Revolution: Student Activism at Howard University.” Speakers included Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) veterans Timothy Jenkins, Jean Smith Young, Ivanhoe Donaldson and movement veteran Acklyn Lynch. Kwesi Abu-Jamil brought a display of rare SNCC archives and Doug Calvin brought a display of DC Student Coalition against Apartheid and Racism (DC SCAR) News that was published from 1984 to 1993 from YLSN’s DC-Youth Activism Archives.

Speaking to a packed room of Howard University students, presenters shared stories from SNCC, Howard and perspectives on student organizing today. The importance of intergenerational activism was emphasized throughout and the discussion period was an example of SNCC’s organizing style in practice. Jean Smith Young summed up the need to go beyond talk and take action. “I didn’t have a road map. I had the conviction to do this job,” she said, speaking of her extensive organizing experiences with SNCC in the Deep South. Doug Calvin briefly introduced the work of DC SCAR, adding a generational aspect from the 1980’s.

The room was full of energy. Howard students want to take part in building a student movement. ROOTS organizers passed sheets of paper asking the question “what will do as a follow up to this dialogue?” We will follow up with ROOTS regularly and post updates on their progress and how we can collectively support their efforts.