This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.<\/p>\n
As FSU celebrates 64 years of integration this year, it\u2019s important to look back and reflect on the journey that led to this milestone: the accomplishments of Black students and alumni, and the progress made in those 64 years.<\/p>\n
The Road to Integration<\/p>\n
On May 17, 1954, concluding the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education<\/a>, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. This decision, though monumental, faced substantial pushback from Southern states, who felt that their Jim Crow systems were threatened, thus resulting in the Massive Resistance<\/a>, which aimed to prevent integration in schools.<\/p>\n Schools that attempted to integrate and comply with the law were met with brutal segregationists who would hurl racial slurs and remarks at Black students, resort to racial violence and threats, and would stop at nothing to intimidate others.<\/p>\n In 1962, Florida State University took its first steps toward integration<\/a> and welcomed its first class of 12 Black students who enrolled in graduate-level science classes. A year later, Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker and Carmena Greene Bostic became FSU\u2019s first female undergraduate students<\/a>.<\/p>\n More Black students enrolled, and Black faculty were hired throughout the \u201960s and \u201970s, leading to the establishment of clubs and organizations that provided a safe space during this time of adjustment. In 1967, the first Divine Nine fraternity (historically Black Greek organizations), Omega Psi Phi, was founded on campus, and in 1968, the Black Student Union (BSU) was founded<\/a>. Both remain active and prominent on campus today, along with others, helping to instill and celebrate Black culture at FSU.<\/p>\n Though these steps toward total racial integration were transformative, Black students were still met with cruelty and animosity as they entered a society that promised progress but often remained resistant to true social change.<\/p>\n the Integration Statue<\/p>\n Every day, whether we\u2019re walking to class or stopping by the Student Union, we walk past the Integration Statue<\/a> located near Legacy Walk. Unveiled in 2004, the Integration Statue serves as a symbol and reminder of the strength, determination, and dedication of Black students at FSU. While it\u2019s easy to recognize its importance, few know exactly who it recognizes. The statue features three figures: Maxwell Courtney, Fred Flowers, and Doby Lee Flowers.<\/p>\n Maxwell Courtney<\/a>, a part of the original cohort of 12 Black students, was FSU\u2019s first Black undergraduate student to graduate. At 19, he graduated cum laude with a bachelor\u2019s degree in mathematics and minors in French and English. He even wrote for the Florida Flambeau, now the FSView & Florida Flambeau.<\/p>\n Fred Flowers enrolled in 1965 and became FSU\u2019s first Black athlete<\/a>, a baseball player. He also served as the President of the BSU in 1969<\/a>. He graduated that same year, earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in philosophy<\/a>. He later graduated with a master\u2019s degree in Urban & Regional Planning, also from FSU, and a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Florida.<\/p>\n Doby Lee Flowers, the sister of Fred, became FSU\u2019s first Black Homecoming Queen<\/a> in 1970. At the time, there were 18,000 students, but only 35 were Black, making her election seem unlikely at first glance. When discussing the significance of her victory, she claimed that \u201cIt wasn\u2019t about looking pretty, it was a political statement, saying we\u2019ve got to break this last bastion<\/a>.\u201d She graduated with a bachelor\u2019s degree in social work in 1971 and a master\u2019s degree in Urban & Regional Planning, both from FSU.<\/p>\n Integration Today<\/p>\n FSU now has a large and diverse student body and is home to countless organizations dedicated to the inclusion and advancement of minorities. Together, these groups provide representation, support, and continue to help foster a more inclusive environment on campus.<\/p>\n In 2018, the Flowers siblings founded FSU\u2019s Civil Rights Institute<\/a> to commemorate the Civil Rights Movement. Their mission is to<\/a> \u201cpromote justice and equality at FSU and in communities where we work and serve.\u201d They provide students with numerous opportunities to get involved, whether through community engagement events or serving as student ambassadors.<\/p>\n This Black History Month<\/a>, take time to reflect on the hard work it took to break barriers and challenge injustice at a time when it seemed impossible. While progress continues to be made today, it\u2019s our responsibility to honor the legacy of those who came before and to continue pushing for equality and inclusion.<\/p>\n Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to follow us on Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, and Pinterest<\/a>!<\/p>\n \t