Struggling for Freedom

Abstract

The author explores the divestment activism at UIUC between the years 1977 and 1987, and in the process highlights the central arguments and themes that arose as the movement developed. In particular the author stresses issues that became salient during the movement's existence: the proper role of a university in society, the moral grounds for divestment, issues of democracy within the university, and racism on campus. In highlighting the intense debate and activity that took place at UIUC, this study remembers a forgotten historical development in the history of the university, and, by providing a micro-study of one particular grass-roots group and its achievements, plays a small part in countering the “great man” historical approach that threatens to skew the historical record by ignoring the significant impact of grassroots organizations in the U.S. anti-apartheid movement