April 1969
As you walk down on Convent Avenue, you notice others walking quickly past you toward the campus. Then you hear all the commotion. At this distance, you can’t quite hear what everyone is saying, but you make out that people are chanting, and you can also hear someone talking into a megaphone over all the other noise. You get closer. You can make out what people are chanting now: “Long live Harlem U! Viva Harlem U!” You can also see people holding banners now. There are people everywhere—in the middle of Convent Avenue, on the grassy lawns, and on the steps of the building entrances. Someone is carrying a flag that says “Harlem University” on it. Many students are walking in and out of one of the buildings, which has a big banner on top of it that reads ‘Community and Childcare Center’. All the people and commotion is overwhelming but also exciting. You understand that you are in the middle of something big and significant. You’ve never seen anything like this before. No one is in classes, and students have taken over the entire campus. You’re in awe, but also not completely surprised. You knew something has been in the air in the last couple of months. You understand now that this must be what everyone was planning and talking about.
Near one of the building entrances, you notice a sign by the door that reads “SEEK Matters! First Meeting, All Welcome.” From outside you can see into a classroom window, where a professor is writing on a chalkboard in one of the classrooms. Students are starting to enter the building and file into the room. On their way in, one turns to you and asks, “Hi! Are you coming?” Go see what it’s about?
Near where you’re standing along the edge of the march, you recognize a student from the Black and Puerto Rican Student Community table. They wave. Go talk to them?
Some student reporters from the New York Press Association are here. If you listen in, you might hear some more about what’s going on. Go hear what they have to say?
Looks like there’s a bulletin board along the walkway outside the classroom buildings. Something is posted there. Go check it out?