The 1970s in New York was a tumultuous time for college students seeking to exercise their right of free speech and dissent. A decade of political and social change saw college students partaking in passionate and spirited protests on campuses across New York City. To this day, the protests of this era serve as an example of the active dissidence that can be taken up – even in the face of fierce opposition.
What Is Active Dissent?
Active dissent is a term worth defining in order to place a context on the college protests of the 1970s. In active dissent, one takes a stand against a political or social issue either through verbal expression or direct action, in an effort to draw attention to an important matter. Free speech, protests, civil disobedience, civil unrest, and other direct forms of communication are some common methods of active dissidence.
Actions Taken By New York College Students In The 1970s
During the 1970s, New York City was home to a variety of college protests. Students used a number of methods for expressing their dissent, including marches, sit-ins, and rallies. Some of the issues that college students protested included the Vietnam War, military recruitment on campus, racism, and the lack of diversity on college campuses.
Outcomes from the 1970s College Protests
Although the protests of the 1970s were often met with pushback from administrators and authorities, the actions taken by students in many cases achieved the desired outcomes. For example, in 1971, students at City College of New York organized a three-day sit-in to protest the lack of diversity among faculty, administrators, and counselors. After a day of negotiations, the student protestors agreed to end their sit-in in exchange for an agreement from the university to create more opportunities for African-American and Latino faculty members.
In addition, the efforts of college students to end the Vietnam War had a large impact on the war effort, with government officials eventually agreeing to a cease-fire in 1973. In 1975, the war officially ended with North Vietnam emerging victorious.
The Legacy of the 1970s College Protests in New York
The college protests of the 1970s in New York have had a lasting impact on the state and the country. These protests showed that college students had the power to bring about meaningful change through the power of active dissent. This era also created a lasting template for how to use protests as an effective method to bring attention to important issues.
People Involved in the Protests
The protests of the 1970s in New York were organized and led by a variety of people. Organizations such as the Black Panther Party, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and the Young Lords were instrumental in leading the charge against injustice. Student activists such as Carlos Fuentes and Laurie Reetz were at the forefront of the battle for social change, with Fuentes even becoming the first Latino Student Body President of City College in 1972.
The Role of the Media
The college protests of the 1970s in New York City had a huge impact in part due to their widespread media coverage. Television news programs and newspapers across the country reported on the protests and their outcomes, giving the movement a larger platform and helping to spread the message of the protesters.
The college protests of the 1970s in New York City was a tumultuous time for students seeking to exercise their right of unrestricted speech and dissidence. Through peaceful protests and civil disobedience, the students of this era were able to bring attention to important issues – such as racial discrimination and the Vietnam War – and create meaningful change. The legacy of these protests serve as an example of the power of active dissent, and their influence can still be seen today.
