California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 71

Introduced by Assembly Member Weber

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bradford, Brown, Holden, Jones-Sawyer, and Mitchell)

(Coauthor: Senator Wright)

July 3, 2013

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 71—Relative to Africana studies.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 71, as introduced, Weber. Africana studies programs.

This measure would formally endorse the invaluable work of California’s Africana studies programs, and their faculty, staff, and students. The measure would recognize the leadership provided by the beneficiaries of those programs, and would support the continuation of Africana studies programs in California’s institutions of higher education.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, The academic discipline of Africana studies
encompasses research, scholarship, and programs that analyze and
reflect the experiences and contributions of African natives and
African Americans; and

WHEREAS, Formal Africana studies programs and departments
at California’s universities resulted from student-led movements
dating back to the 1960s. These movements included
demonstrations and student protests, where students, faculty, and
community members demanded university courses relevant to
them and their communities; and

WHEREAS, Since the 1960s, Africana and Black studies have
been the academic and intellectual extension of the Civil Rights
Movement; and

WHEREAS, The formalization of Africana studies increased
awareness of the need for faculty, students, and staff from diverse
communities in California’s universities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nathan Hare, known as the father of Black
studies programs in the United States, was the department chair
of the nation’s first African American studies academic program
in 1968 at San Francisco State University. Following a similar
pursuit, faculty members including, but not limited to, Carrol
Wayman, Vernon Oaks, Norman Chambers, Shirley W. Thomas,
Shirley N. Weber, and Harold K. Brown developed the first Black
studies program at San Diego State University in 1972; and

WHEREAS, The University of California campuses at Berkeley,
Davis, Riverside, Irvine, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara offer
undergraduate degrees in one of African American studies, Black
studies, or Afro-American studies; and

WHEREAS, Africana studies is comprised of several disciplines,
including art history, humanities, political science, behavioral
science, and history; and

WHEREAS, Africana studies, known in some departments as
Black, Pan-African, or Afro-American studies, encompass the
origin, history, culture, experiences, heritage, achievements, and
contributions of African natives and African Americans; and

WHEREAS, Africana studies, a respected academic field, has
fostered the development of professional organizations,
institutionalized departments, research journals, award-winning
publications, and other related programs across the United States;
and

WHEREAS, Departments, programs, and related projects in the
field of Africana and Black studies promote constructive
communication and collaborative efforts among diverse groups,
and encourage respect, understanding, appreciation, equality, and
dignity among all groups; and

WHEREAS, The study of the roles, contributions, and
achievements of African natives and African Americans provides
a rich and indepth perspective for understanding California and
United States history; and

WHEREAS, Africana and related studies incorporate the
influence of African natives and African Americans on the
California education system and on America’s diverse racial and
ethnic groups; and

WHEREAS, Africana studies and related academic disciplines
promote a view of ethnic groups as significant contributors to the
history and diversity of California and the United States history;
and

WHEREAS, Africana studies has been the model and inspiration
for other ethnic, gender, and social education programs throughout
the United States; and

WHEREAS, The continuation and expansion of Africana studies
within our state’s educational system would encourage students
to analyze and synthesize information with a global perspective;
and

WHEREAS, Support for postsecondary Africana studies
departments, programs, and related projects, including financial
support, will allow for the continued guidance and teaching of a
new generation of students who will enrich and contribute to
California policy, education, and government; now, therefore, be
it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
formally endorses the invaluable work of California’s Africana
studies departments, programs, and related projects, and their
faculty, staff, and students; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California also
recognizes that the leadership provided by the beneficiaries of
these programs has contributed greatly to the academic rigor,
prominence, and distinguishing qualities of California’s colleges
and universities and the vitality of other public and private
institutions, including the California state government; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California supports
the continuation of Africana studies departments, programs, and
related projects in California’s institutions of higher education;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the Regents of the University of California,
the Trustees of the California State University, the Board of
Governors of the California Community Colleges, and the author
for appropriate distribution.