Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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towards social pr, Even though Howard University is an interracial-international school, it is predominately Negro. Because of this, Ho-wardites take a special interest in the problems of this group o( so-called “second-class citizens. Howardites have been active participants in sit-ins,” stand-ins,” freedom rides. and the Negro voter-registration campaigns throughout the South and have picketed the Capitol, the White House, and other government buildings in Washington, D. C. Dion Diamond, a former Howardite, and a field secretary of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was arrested in February of 1962, when he entered Southern University in Baton Rouge. Louisiana to accept a speaking engagement, and was held in the Baton Rouge jail charged with 26

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towards active citizenship, Falk Fellows, Mrs. Dorothy M. Brown and Lorenzo D. Gilliam arc shown with Dr. Martin. Mrs. Daisy Bates, is shown chatting with Howard University President, James M. Nabrit, Jr. (left) and Dr. Robert Martin. The Citizenship Project is a program geared toward political education; it welcomes all interested students, especially government majors. The Project serves as a laboratory experience in the classroom. This Project began in 1958 through a grant from the Maurice and Laura Falk Foundation. The purpose of the grant was to help broaden political phenomena and motivate continued interest in politics. Since I960, the Citizenship Project has had numerous activities. Included are a legislature seminar with Governor Lawes of Maryland, in Maryland, where students were guests of several members of the legislature and had conferences with several governors. Students participated in a seminar on pressure groups in America at the A. F. L. - C I. O. Building; a mock nominating convention at Morgan State College in Maryland, in I960; a mock State convention at Morgan, in 1962; a Capitol Hill seminar at the Capitol with Congressman William Dawson of Illinois; and sponsored an essay contest with the subject. Home Rule for the District of Columbia. The Project also sponsors annually a brief course in parliamentary procedure. Presenting outstanding public figures to the campus for lectures and informal discussions is another aspect fo the Citizenship Project. Outstanding political figures presented on campus were: Senator Hubert Here, students discuss the election campaigning in Montgomery County. Alabama. Humphcy; Jackie Robinson; Mrs. Daisy Bates, leader of the public school desegregation movement of 1957 in Little Rock, Arkansas; and Senator Moss. For the year 1962-1963. the Howard University Citizenship Project awarded two students each a $1000 scholarship to serve as Falk Student Assistants. The students, Mrs. Dorothy M. Brown and Lorenzo D. Gilliam assist the Director of the Citizenship Project. Robert E. Martin, associate professor of government, in carrying out the program of the Project. -25-

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 criminal anarchy. Charles MeDew, SNTCC chairman (standing on the steps of the School of Religion Building at Howard) told Howardites of the illegal charges brought against Diamond, and told about the horrid conditions of the Baton Rouge jail. The students marched around in the upper quadrangle of the campus singing, We Shall Not Be Moved and We Are Not Afraid. Howardites later met with other students from other colleges and universities in the Washington. D. C. area to decide on a plan of action. Still later, Howardites demonstrated in front of the Attorney General’s office building. Howardites arc never discouraged in their efforts to improve the condition of the mankind, in general, and the Negro race, in particular. -27-