Throughout the history of the Afro American Cultural Center (established 1968) and the Latino Native American Cultural Center (formerly the Chicano Indian American Cultural House, established 1971) both centers have been central to political activism at the University of Iowa (UI).
The “Spotlight Series: 70’s Activism at UI Cultural Houses” display focused on the activities of the African American, Chicano and American Indian students. Student organizations brought many speakers to the UI campus for discourse and dialogue. Each organization was proactive in their support and involvement with the Black Power, Chicano and American Indian Movements locally and nationally. This display is a physical documentation of each cultural center’s contribution and a snapshot of how three national activist movements of the 70’s resonated with the students at the University of Iowa.
The UI Cultural Houses and Resource Center managed by the Office of Student Life are fundamental in bringing to light issues that are important to African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Latinos and Native Americans and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community. The “Spotlight Series” displays are meant to connect the library to the UI cultural houses and resource center.
Display photos and materials were taken from the UI Special Collections:
RG 02.03.07 Latino Native American Cultural Center
RG 02.03.41 Afro American Cultural Center
RG 02.03.06 Black Student Union
RG 24.10 Office of Special Support Services
Rachel Garza Carreón (Chair), Gabriel J. Duque, and Von Yeager
Bill Voss and Kristin Baum
Rachel Garza Carreón
Teresa Garcia, David McCartney, Kathy Hodson, and the UI Special Collections Department