Occidental Campus Climate: 1969-1970
In addition to the investment in the Upward Bound Program and other community service oriented interactions with the black community (see Saturday Club), students participated in a milieu of events that celebrated black arts. Oxy students were engaged with black entertainment and culture on and off campus. Frequently, the campus supported performances by black artists; this included musical productions like “Jazz-service” and the Black Quartet, to theatrical performances of Black Orpheus. Intellectually, students were challenged by academic discourse delving into the state of black art through professor discussions and poetry readings. Off campus opportunities to engage in the LA black arts scene were also advertised in Oxy newspaper. Events such as John Outterbridge’s solo exhibition at the Brockman gallery, dance performances by the Alvin Ailey dance troupe as well as Bill Cosby’s comedy show were featured. At the end of the semester, all of these productions culminated in Black Arts Week. This was a three day long program on campus that focused on black film, photography, poetry, music and theater. Altogether, Oxy’s climate in the 1969-1970 academic year was highly politically and socially charged, yet making strides to provide an inclusive and educational atmosphere for the minority groups.