The Campus Color Line: College Presidents and the Struggle for Black Freedom

by Eddie R. Cole

"A stunning and ambitious origins story."―Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award–winning and #1 New York Times –bestselling author

The remarkable history of how college presidents shaped the struggle for racial equality
Some of America’s most pressing civil rights issues―desegregation, equal educational and employment opportunities, housing discrimination, and free speech―have been closely intertwined with higher education institutions. Although it is commonly known that college students and other activists, as well as politicians, actively participated in the fight for and against civil rights in the middle decades of the twentieth century, historical accounts have not adequately focused on the roles that the nation’s college presidents played in the debates concerning racism. Based on archival research conducted at a range of colleges and universities across the United States, The Campus Color Line sheds light on the important place of college presidents in the struggle for racial parity.

Focusing on the period between 1948 and 1968, Eddie Cole shows how college presidents, during a time of violence and unrest, strategically, yet often silently, initiated and shaped racial policies and practices inside and outside of the educational sphere. With courage and hope, as well as malice and cruelty, college presidents positioned themselves―sometimes precariously―amid conflicting interests and demands. Black college presidents challenged racist policies as their students demonstrated in the streets against segregation, while presidents of major universities lobbied for urban renewal programs that displaced Black communities near campus. Some presidents amended campus speech practices to accommodate white supremacist speakers, even as other academic leaders developed the nation’s first affirmative action programs in higher education.

The Campus Color Line illuminates how the legacy of academic leaders’ actions continues to influence the unfinished struggle for Black freedom and racial equity in education and beyond.

Genres: Social Justice, History, Nonfiction, Grad School, Education

376 pages, Hardcover

Published September 29, 2020

Reviews

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a timely piece of work, about the influence--seen and unseen, for better or for worse--of college presidents and other leaders in higher education in the struggle of Black Americans for better education, housing, employment, and respect. I am especially admiring of Dr. Cole's meticulous care in unearthing and piecing together these accounts from the 1940s through 1960s, from lunch counter protests to affirmative action. I was born during this time period, and can definitely say I benefited from the work of my forebears: I was a Black American Army officer's daughter who enrolled at a 100-year-old small, private, liberal-arts Maryland college in 1980, that had graduated its first Black students a scant 15 years before my twin sister and I stepped on that campus as freshmen, and from which I emerged as the school's first Black valedictorian in 1984. Dr. Cole's book frames some of the back-room scenes that made my path that much smoother.

I had the privilege of entering the master's program in Higher Education and Student Affairs with Dr. Cole at IU Bloomington, in 2007; I am thrilled to see how far his academic journey has brought him, and to enjoy some of the fruit of his labors. This book should become required reading in programs training college and university student affairs professionals!

[Nelson Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Campus Color Line: College Presidents and the Struggle for Black FreedomEddie R Cole

This book takes a historical approach in detailing the relationship between race, politics, and higher education. Dr. Eddie Cole helps map out these components intertwine with each other and their impact on underrepresented communities, mainly the Black community. He also shows how higher education affects society from the economy to housing. The book also shines a direct light on how higher education is used to suppress the Black community. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those who are working in higher education (Students, Staff, and Faculty). A must-read!

[Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was masterfully written. As a Current SGA leader and as someone who is interested in higher education and it’s impacts on communities. This book gave me hope and passion that our campuses can be places of good and that university presidents can be drivers of change.

This book also gave insights on how even students can drive change.

I loved this book!

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book! I enjoyed the analysis of one aspect of the civil rights movement that we greatly overlook. Most of the time we focus on how the government addressed desegregation, civil rights, and affirmative action but here, Dr.Cole did a fantastic job at analyzing how colleges and universities addressed these pressing issues.

It also provided an unspoken analysis that people can be complex and that people's motives can be very different than their intentions. If you are looking for somewhere to start when discussing racism and civil rights in higher education this is a good book to read.

[Kelly Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only wish with this book would have been to see an additional chapter on HBCUs. Otherwise, a brilliant look into the role of presidents in supporting or hindering desegregation and equal access to education.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

(College & University Administration, fall 22)