Legacy Week to celebrate SJSU's history of activism

By: Ya-an Chan

Posted: 10/9/08

Associated Students aims to connect SJSU students to historic activism on campus by hosting Legacy Week from Oct. 13 to 16.

"This weeklong series of events is to educate students about Tommie Smith and John Carlos and the statement they're trying to make," said Duncan Lange, marketing and events manager, "also make students more aware of the opportunity around them and how the university has been socially active in the past."

Lange said A.S. hosts a weeklong event in hope to make it more accessible to students.

Diana Victa, a senior sociology major and a staff member at the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, said the goal of the event is to inspire and motivate students to be more involved in social justice.

"It's important to be conscious of what's going on," Victa said.

As part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Tommie Smith and John Carlos's protest at the 1968 Summer Olympics, the event features speeches by keynote speaker Chuck D and current student activists, SJSU Legacy Path, the "Speed City" exhibit and free showings of documentary "Fists of Freedom: The Story of the '68 Summer Games."

"You can go to these events without being an activist but just to inform yourself," said Lilly Perez, a senior sociology major.

Chuck D, co-founder of rap group Public Enemy and national spokesperson for various social activist groups, will speak about mass media, technology and race, Lange said.

"I'm a huge fan of Public Enemy, and it's good to know Chuck D is down for social activism," said Shauncuy Fifer, a freshman television, radio, film and theatre major.

The speaking event is co-sponsored by the Student Union, Lange said.

The film "Fists of Freedom: The Story of the '68 Summer Games" is a documentary about Smith and Carlos's road to 1968 Summer Olympics and what happened at the Games.

The "Speed City" exhibition at the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center shows historic background of the track and field program at SJSU in the 1960s.

Lange said the SJSU Legacy Path is a self-guided tour where students can pick up a packet of brochures at the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center.

The packet will include a map that leads students around campus and detailed information about sites where historic activism incidents have occurred on campus, Lange said.

"We hope students can come to one or all of these events and take away with them a little bit of empowerment of what they're capable of and open up their mind to be more active in their community," he said.

Some students said they were interested in the event but were not aware of its existence.

"It's great they're doing this because many people didn't know what the statue means," said Julissa Gomez, an undeclared freshman. "But they need to advertise more."

Nicole Cimmarusti, a sophomore television, radio, film and theatre major, said she is the publicity officer of the Campus Village Building B Hall Government but she did not know about the event.

"I'm interested in student activity, and most likely I'll go because it's a school-wide event," she said.

Lange said Smith and Carlos made iconic statements, and A.S. wants people to recognize what they did as SJSU student athletes.

"We want to let students know that these two student athletes are perfect examples of what can be done if you believe in something and put your mind and body into it," Lange said.