Black collegians' experiences in U.S. Northern private colleges. A narrative history, 1945-1965

This book is a narrative study of the lives and experiences of sixty-eight Black collegians in a set of northern private colleges in the Midwest between 1945 and 1965. Through oral histories and archival material, this text documents and reflects on their experiences in the racially isolated, northern, rural towns in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Western Pennsylvania. This history illuminates both the empowerment of these collegians and the persistent challenges of enacting institutional values in the face of resistance from both outside and within. Stewart seeks to understand the nature of progress toward pluralistic diversity in college environments characterized by the paradox of racial homogeneity and interracial engagement. In this way, the complex interplay of social movements, institutional context, individual identities, and the experiences of marginalized students in postsecondary education are more effectively demonstrated. Front Matter....Pages i-xxix Introduction....Pages 1-27 Origins....Pages 29-48 Black Disciples and White Missionaries....Pages 49-68 College Choices ....Pages 69-88 Arriving on Campus....Pages 89-106 College Life....Pages 107-133 Roadblocks and Detours....Pages 135-143 Integration and the Movement ....Pages 145-174 The Impact of College....Pages 175-182 Remembering Alma Mater....Pages 183-192 Conclusion....Pages 193-202 Back Matter....Pages 203-277