The Origin Story of Ethnic Studies
“On strike! Shut it down!”
Between November 6, 1968, and March 21, 1969, this chant echoed across the United States, capturing the spirit of a movement for change. At the heart of this call to action was San Francisco State College—a campus that became the epicenter of one of the longest student strikes in U.S. history.
The 1960s and 1970s were a time of revolutionary movements, including the Black Power Movement and anti-Vietnam War protests, igniting campuses nationwide with activism. The Civil Rights Movement awakened a generation to the power of collective action, inspiring young people of color to challenge the systemic erasure of their histories, experiences, and identities within academic institutions. San Francisco State students were no exception.
One of the main catalysts of the strike was the firing of George Mason Murray, an African-American English instructor and member of the Black Panther Party, was accused of making provocative statements, including encouraging Black students to arm themselves on campus for protection against "racist" administrators. With that, the Black Student Union began organizing. Soon, other student groups joined under the coalition name Third World Liberation Front (TWLF). This coalition included the Black Student Union, Latin American Student Organization, Intercollegiate Chinese for Social Action, Mexican American Student Confederation, Philippine American Collegiate Endeavor, La Raza, Native American Students Organization, and Asian American Political Alliance (AAPA). Students recognized and drew connections to historical erasure, power imbalance, and more to those of global Third World liberation struggles.
Together, they went on strike, calling for equal access to public education, an increase in faculty of color, and a new curriculum that embraced the histories of all people. In total, they have fifteen demands for school administrators.
From the beginning of the strike, police were called onto campus. For five months, students refused to attend classes, facing suspension, arrests, and violent suppression. The LA Times captured the intensity of the events:
"The deputies moved in again and tried to arrest Delgado. He resisted and was clubbed to the ground. Strikers began swinging and screaming at the deputies, who retaliated with blows from their clubs. Macias briefly escaped officers pursuing him but was cornered when he resisted. Both strike leaders were taken into Sproul Hall, apparently unconscious. Four others were arrested in the schuffle (sic). The striking students reformed at Bancroft-Telegraph and clinked arms again. About 30 California Highway Patrolmen formed a wedge and charged into the crowd, chasing the students into the streets” (Manuel Ruben Delgado, LA Times, Feb 1969).
By early March, over 150 students were arrested, and 36 were suspended. Yet, on March 20, 1969, their persistence paid off. San Francisco State became the first institution in the United States to establish a College of Ethnic Studies—a victory that would inspire campuses across the nation.
Only one year later, just 50 miles away, UC Berkeley became another battleground for radical change, witnessing the second-longest student strike in U.S. history.
A Lasting Legacy
“Ethnic Studies saved my life.”
Today, Ethnic Studies stands as a testament to the power of grassroots student activism, as recalled by students from the San Francisco State Strike in 2016 as they shared stories of how their Ethnic Studies classes changed their lives. What began as a campus protest has evolved into a robust academic field that continues to challenge, analyze, and reimagine social structures.
Universities across the country now have Ethnic Studies departments, a direct result of the courage and vision of students from the late 1960s. These departments are not just academic spaces—they are sites of resistance, healing, and transformation.
There are now hundreds of African American, Asian American, Mexican American, and Chicano/Latino Studies departments in the United States. After years of organizing, California is set to be the first state to implement Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement in public education for the 2025-2026 school year. This marks a pivotal moment, bringing the legacy of the Third World Liberation Front into classrooms statewide.
Ethnic Studies is more than a story of resilience—it embodies resistance, healing, and transformation. By understanding our history, we gain insights to shape our actions today, fostering stronger connections with ourselves and others to build more just and united communities.