Newspaper Page Text
Violence
plagued
1st black
female
By MARK ANTHONY THOMAS
Staff Writer
Chartayne Hunter-Gault was
more than just another student
when she helped pioneer the deseg
regation of the nation's oldest state
university
After a difficult legal battle,
Hunter-Gault entered the Univer
sity in January 1961 as its first
black female
Hunter-Gault has since gone on
to become one of the country's most
distinguished female journalists,
and recapped her experiences with
integration in a 1992 autobiogra
phy “In My Place "
The struggle to integrate the
University was not an easy task for
Hunter-Gault, especially when the
governor of Georgia at the time
campaigned that “not one, no, not
one” black student would attend
the state’s flagship school.
As an intellect, Hunter-Gault
graduated from Atlanta's Turner
High School with the third highest
grade point average in her class.
However, she wrote she was reject
ed from the University based on
her “application and interview"
As an aspiring journalist,
Hunter-Gault sought the
University because it had the only
journalism school in the state of
Georgia The University’s journal
ism school was also highly
acclaimed, and she hoped to one
day be one of its “famous alumni.”
In her book, Hunter-Gault
wrote that it was her right to
attend the University as a taxpay
er, but as a minority, she knew she
was not welcome.
Following two rejections from
the University, Hunter-Gault,
along with high school classmate
Hamilton Holmes, toojc the case to
Federal Court
After months of litigation,
Hunter-Gault and Holmes were
allowed into the University as the
first black students.
Although student leaders urged
the student body of 7,400 to accept
Hunter-Gault and Holmes, she
The Red and Black Weekend • Friday. January 23. 1998 • S
Chartayne Hunter-Gault entered the University in 1961.
Students help with
desegregation
wrote that it took time for students
to adjust to the racial integration.
The national media covered the
incident and portrayed the
University’s students as ignorant
and racist. Reporters such as
Charles Trillin, a journalist from
New York, stayed in Athens for
months to cover Hunter-Gault’s
struggle for integration.
Students attempted to burn
down Myers Hall — Hunter-
Gault’s dorm, placing dynamite
and explosives in the dorm’s pipes.
In her book, Hunter-Gault wrote
about a student who was arrested
on her dorm hall with a gun.
She also wrote about large stu
dent protests, cross burnings and
fights, which occurred with the
intention of discouraging her from
staying at the University.
Days after her arrival, Hunter-
Gault had to be escorted back to
Atlanta for “her own safety,” the
University was shut down and the
governor withdrew the Univer
sity’s funding because he didn't
want the school to integrate.
The federal government had to
step in and take control, and upon
returning the campus, Hunter-
Gault was protected by more than
100 police and guards.
Months after Hunter-Gault’s
arrival at the University, the vio
lence and protests died down.
Hunter-Gault became involved
in student activities and joined
organizations such as The Red and
Black newspaper.
Since graduating from the
University in 1963, Hunter-Gault
has worked for media organiza
tions such as the New York Times
and the MacNeil/Lehrer News
Hour. She is currently a correspon
dent for National Public Radio.
By KATIE HOWELL
Staff Writer
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the
University, you made history last
night," said a Jan. 9, 1961, head
line in The Red and Black.
The issue was printed the
day after University stu
dents, protesting the
admission of the first two
black students, threw
rocks and yelled racial
comments.
The University, like
many other universities
throughout the region, fought
against the idea of desegregation
for years.
“Some clearly opposed and
expressed that opposition in behav
ior not representative of University
students and faculty," said Maurice
Daniels, a professor the depart
ment of social work and an expert
in desegregation.
Horace Ward, the first serious
black candidate for admission into
the University, applied for accep
tance to the University Law School
on Sept. 29, 1950. His application
was sent to the Board of Regents
for review, which was the policy for
black applicants.
L.R. Seibert, the executive of
the Board of Regents in 1950,
offered Ward state funds so he
would go to an out-of-state school.
Ward rejected the money and
insisted on acceptance into the
University.
Ward received a formal rejection
after nine months of waiting. He
appealed to Chancellor Harmon
Caldwell, but the Board of Regents
responded by adding character
requirements into the University’s
standards for admission.
Ward’s admission struggle con
tinued for six years when it ended
in federal court.
Ward’s admission was denied
because he had already matriculat
ed into Northwestern University's
Law School. However, Ward
became a symbol of the rising Civil
Rights Movement in the South.
After Ward’s case was dropped,
the Board of Regents devised new
ways to keep black students from
applying. This included instituting
tests to assess the applicant's char
acter, achievement, aptitude and
personality.
In July 1959, Hamilton
Holmes, a valedictorian and star
athlete, and Chartayne Hunter-
Gault, the editor of her high school
newspaper, applied for acceptance
to the University.
Both students were
denied acceptance because
University officials said
the dorms were full. In
Holmes v. Donner,
Hamilton Holmes chal
lenged the University’s
decision on the grounds that
other students had been
accepted after Holmes and Hunter-
Gault were denied.
Judge Elbert P. Bootle, of the
5th Court of Appeals in Atlanta,
ordered the immediate desegrega
tion of the University, which
allowed the admission of Hunter
and Holmes.
Due to a 1956 law that cut off
funds to the University if it deseg
regates, Gov. Vandiver declared the
University must close. But,
University officials ignored the
governor’s declaration and ordered
that classes continue.
Student leaders made repeated
pleas through The Red and Black
and other media outlets to act in
non-violent ways toward the two
black students. But the night
before classes began, students riot
ed and attacked Myers Hall, the
Hunter-Gault delivers the
University's 1988 Com
mencement address.
dorm in which Holmes lived,
Daniels said.
“The two black students, abid
ing by the rules and regulations of
the University and the city, were
suspended while the rioters were
not," Daniels said.
According to The Red and Black,
over 340 students and faculty met
in the Chapel and demanded
Holmes and Hunter-Gault be rein
stated. The Georgia legislature
also passed a resolution to rein
state the suspended students.
The students were finally able
to start classes, and both later
became successful graduates of the
University, according to Dyer.
Since the admission of Hunter-
Gault and Holmes, the University
has remained desegregated.
Hamilton Holmes (r) was an honors student and
outstanding athlete at Atlanta’s Turner High School.
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RESTAURANT REVIEW
Athens Brewpub and
Brewhouse Cafe
The Brewpub is on
Washington Street next to Wash.
St. Tavern. We always forget
some of the best eating places are
on Washington Street. We parked
right outside, none of that Broad
St. parking mayhem, and walked
in to find a cool looking cafe
downstairs complete with a faux
marble floor and folk art on the
walls. Upstairs they have a beer-
hall, lots of space, no smoke.
Okay, we’ll get to the food.
Three words: Excellent, Cheap,
and Cheap. They have sandwich
es, pizzas, salads, and entrees all
for $2 - $6. The Portabello Verde
pizza, only $4.25, was to die for.
Spinach Pesto, mushrooms, and
tomatoes on a grilled crust. John
got the Beef and Bourbon Stew;
words can’t describe how good it
was. We also ordered Six Mile
Ale, one they make. We were
worried that it would be too
strong, but it was wonderful.
Trust us. After satiating out taste
buds we inquired what else they
have. Get this... a half pound
burger for $2 at lunch. Pints of
beer are $1 every Tuesday- all
day long. They say it gets packed
about 10 pm when the live band
plays. They even do parties from
10 - 350. The night we visited a
sororities Parent's Night was
scheduled complete with dinner
and Brewery tour.
So, we have to rate the brew
pub A+ and believe it is one of
the places that make downtown
Athens a cool place for food and
drink. Get off your butt and go
check it out.
-Trish and John
All-American \arki Lfchey
NCAA Champion Jennl Beathard
Ho. 1 Gym Gogs lake on powerhouses Michigan 8 Arizona
AOTOCRAPH POSTtR RAY ■ Cel your tree team poster autographed by the team after the Meet
Sunday, Jan. 25at2:00 •StegemanColiseum •Tickets s 5adults s 2child*JIIICA students