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Fighting for Racial Justice
Although 1960’s civil rights advocates passed laws barring race-based discrimination, the long struggle for equal civil, political, and legal rights for Black Americans extends through today. Duke lifted its last ban on Black students in 1963. Over the past 60 years, protests have helped Duke combat racism and create a safer, more inclusive environment.
Members of Omega Psi Phi on Duke campus
1974: First African American Fraternity
1974: First African American Fraternity
Established in 1974, Omega Psi Phi was the first African American Fraternity at Duke. It created more communities for Black students than were previously available. Other African American Greek chapters were established in following years.
1976: First Black Blue Devil
1976: First Black Blue Devil
Sports fans hurled racial slurs at Michael Holyfield, Duke’s first Black mascot. After his first year of service, Duke replaced the partial face mask with a full white Blue Devil face. Holyfield was forbidden to travel to away games and not invited to alumni events or the annual athletic banquet.
Michael Holyfield as Duke mascot
The Mary Lou Center opens in response to activists demands
1983: Mary Lou Center Established
1983: Mary Lou Center Established
The Mary Lou Center opened in 1983 as a space for the Black community at Duke. The center was named after the jazz pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams. This marks a major step forward for black students as it attends their call for more support and resources during the Allen building takeover. This center creates a safe space for black students on campus, as well as the diversity of black-identifying members at Duke.
1988: Demanding More Faculty of Color
Students protested two weeks outside of Allen building, calling for the recruitment of more Black faculty. This led to the Duke Academic Council passing the "Black Faculty Initiative," requiring all 56 university departments to hire Black professors. Departments that already employed Black professors were required to hire another.
Students protest in favor of faculty diversity
1991: First Black Vice President
1991: First Black Vice President
Janet Smith Dickerson was appointed as the First woman and first Black Vice President of Student Affairs.
Pictured is Janet Smith Dickerson
1998: First Black Math Professor
1998: First Black Math Professor
Duke hires the first black math professor, Arlie Petters. He also taught physics and economics.
Pictured is Arlie Petters
Duke students protest after Chronicle article
2001: Protesting Anti-Reparations Article
2001: Protesting Anti-Reparations Article
Author David Horowitz paid The Chronicle for an ad labeled “10 reasons why reparations are a bad idea”. This resulted in student protests at Duke’s Alumni lounge. Chronicle editor Greg Pessin responded with his support of different opinions being heard.
2006: Lacrosse Scandal
2006: Lacrosse Scandal
In 2006, an African American private dancer accused three white lacrosse players of raping her at a party. During the trial, the Duke and Durham community protested against the lacrosse team, including the Black Panther Party, believing the matter to be racially motivated. Concluding the trial, accused players were deemed innocent and all charges against the lacrosse players were dismissed.
Black Panther Party after lacrosse scandal surfaces
Student protest in response to noose hanging on Duke campus
2015: Noose Hanging on Campus
2015: Noose Hanging on Campus
A student “accidentally” hung a noose on Bryan Center Plaza causing outrage in the community. The student claimed he was unaware of the history surrounding the noose. Protests erupted on campus, highlighting the need for growth and historic knowledge.
2016: Second Allen Building Takeover
2016: Second Allen Building Takeover
A second Allen Building sit-in was catalyzed after reports surfaced that a Duke administrator allegedly used a racial slur and verbally abused an African American Duke parking attendant. Students made a list of demands to be heard by the university administration in the hope of combating institutional racism.
Students occupy Allen Building hoping for change
Students gather outside building formerly named after Julian Carr
2018: Renaming Carr Building
2018: Renaming Carr Building
Inspired by the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue from Duke’s Chapel, students gathered outside what was formerly known as the Carr Building on Duke’s East Campus in hopes of changing its name. The building was named after Julian Carr, a white supremacist who lived in the 19th century.
2022: Duke vs. BYU Volleyball Incident
2022: Duke vs. BYU Volleyball Incident
Rachel Richardson, member of the Duke volleyball team, repeatedly had slurs yelled at her while playing at BYU, a predominantly white institution. There was little to no intervention by BYU while understanding the implications of the slurs. This incident was reflected poorly on BYU due to their disregard for the incident but for Duke it showed the immense amount of growth in the last 50 years and protecting equality for their students.
Duke Women's Volleyball team kneels before game in response to racial slurs
Safa Abedin, Adam Boucher, Alex Rosenthal, and Scarlett Simmons researched racism at Duke and created this portion of the online and in-person gallery exhibit.
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