The year 1968 was one of turbulence, protests, and revolutions.
五十年后, Assistant Professor of Political Science Kelly Clancy asked, “how can events of that year help us understand the turbulence experienced today?” The issue became Clancy’s topic for her fall Archway Seminar for first-year students.
Her class, “Revolution 1968,” highlighted the political movements and attitudes in the United States. Together they discussed student protests, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, 2001: A Space Odyssey and tie-dye tshirts. Students researched media representation, music, and how events of today might echo those of 1968.
“This is such a revolutionary moment in history, having them touch base with the past gave them amazing perspective on the present and the future,克兰西说。.
10月, Clancy incorporated firsthand narratives into her class by inviting members of 内raska Wesleyan’s Class of 1968 who were on campus celebrating their 50threunion.
“It’s a time for 内raska Wesleyan’s roots to be joined with 内raska Wesleyan’s future in conversation,克兰西谈到这次会面时说.
NWU alumni reminisced about organic chemistry and other classes, 希腊的生活, 入学的一天, 还有华伦天奴披萨.
“I think that it was amazing to see how much in common the class of 1968 has with my students today,克兰西说.
One alumna described 1968 as a time of turmoil, recalling her participation in several demonstrations against the war and civil rights movements, 记住林肯, 内.美国是一个政治非常活跃的地方.
Another alumnus recalled interviewing for a teaching and coaching job in Schuyler, 内.就在毕业前. That day, Bobby Kennedy was traveling across the state, whistle-stopping. The alumnus and his now-wife went to hear Kennedy speak, recalling the feeling at the whistle-stopping speeches as, “awesome… it was crowded and well-presented. I didn’t feel or see riots or danger or anything.”
It was the first time since World War II that most Americans felt they could not trust their government, 校友回忆. There was a huge disconnect with the person on the street and what was going on in Washington. They felt refreshed with Bobby Kennedy and some of the up and coming voices in politics.
Less than two months later, Kennedy was shot.
In 1968, 内布拉斯加州卫斯理大学 participated in the Lane-Exchange Program where NWU students traded places for a semester with students from Lane College, 杰克逊一所全是黑人的大学, 田纳西州.
校友 recalled experiencing “white hate” while there. Some were discriminated against for attending the all-black university and were not served on the white side of Jackson. Sheryl (Knight) Shafer, told of a time the University Choir performed at Lane College.
“我们不受欢迎，”她说. “那天早上在旅馆, we were not served until every other table was filled up by locals,谢弗回忆道. 在上台唱歌之前, many choir members felt apprehensive; then they began, and it didn’t take long for the love in that room to happen.”
“I will never forget that (white-hate) part of it, but I will remember morethe love that was felt afterwards,她补充道。.
Clancy’s students recorded the conversations with the Class of 1968 to create an oral history project. Their hope is that students attending NWU in 50 years can connect with history like they did.
“It gave students a sense of perspective — they got to hear firsthand accounts of the draft, 听马丁·路德·金的演讲, Jr. and Robert Kennedy speak, of the devastation when both were killed. These brought alive to them the topics they have been studying,克兰西说.
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想听更多吗?? Listen to the oral histories, read student reflections and see photos at revolution1968.wordpress.com.
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故事由北吴大学大二学生丹妮尔·安德森讲述.