20 Years Later: Commemorating the Dakin Agreement (1988-2008)

It has been two decades since students occupied the Dakin Master’s House, spotlighting their frustrations with and their vision for addressing issues of race at Hampshire College. Thirty-five students occupied Dakin House for eight days. Their dedication resulted in the Dakin Agreement, with Hampshire’s administration committing to several important student demands. These included the founding of the Lebrón-Wiggins-Pran Cultural Center; establishment of the Office of Multicultural Affairs; the recruitment of more students, staff, and faculty of color; improved multicultural library resources; the drafting of a racial harassment policy; and the strengthening of the third world expectation requirement (now called the Multiple Cultural Perspectives).

The students who took this action experienced Hampshire, in 1988 and before, as a racist institution. They articulated their concerns, took action and their demands were met. In commemorating this event we honor the work of those individuals who took risks and made their voices heard. We also ask the questions: How has Hampshire been changed by this event? Do we continue to live up to the vision that these students had for Hampshire, of a campus that truly embraces multiculturalism, and is self-aware about issues of race? Without historical perspective, we lack understanding and appreciation of the complexities we all face as we look at issues around race at Hampshire. What happened before we were here affects our experience here now. Join us, as we examine our past and find inspiration as we look forward.

Events
The 1988 Dakin Takeover Exhibit Opening Reception in the Main Gallery of the Library March 3 - 13 Opening Reception: Monday, March 3, 3:30 PM • View copies of regional and national newspaper clippings reporting on the takeover, as well as video footage of the 1999 Dakin Agreement 10 Year Reunion.

Keynote Address
Rinku Sen, Publisher of ColorLines and Director of Applied Research Center Tuesday, March 4 5:30 PM Main Lecture Hall, Franklin Patteson Hall Wheel-chair accessible • “Checking the Color Line” As political and social climates have drastically changed over the past 20 years, so has the racial justice movement. Despite the fact that people think and talk about race in different ways, deep racial divides in this country persist. President and executive director of the Applied Research Center and publisher of ColorLines Magazine, Rinku Sen, will discuss how racial justice organizations have adapted to address racial equity in the 21st century.

"How is this Time Different: Diversity as a Priority Today" Wednesday, March 5 4:00 PM Main Lecture Hall • Panel discussion with Jaime Dávila, Special Presidential Assistant for Diversity and Multicultural Education, President Ralph Hexter, and the President’s direct reports.

Organized by the Lebrón-Wiggins-Pran Cultural Center Call 559-5415 for more information