National SDS Black History Month Statement: Honor the Legacy of Black Student Activism!
The designation of Black History Month in 1976 happened because of student advocacy and the rising tide of black revolutionary consciousness. At Kent State University in 1970, the student group Black United Students successfully got Black History Month recognized on their campus after a year of planning and campaigning. Six years later, it would be recognized nationally. Campuses across the country have a history of black student activism directly leading to cultural centers, black studies departments, diversity programs and more. We know that every progressive policy, course, and opportunity on our campuses comes directly from student activism and the black liberation struggle. This February we honor the brave and revolutionary actions taken by Black student leaders and activists. National SDS expresses unwavering support for the liberation struggles of Black people in the US and around the world. Now more than ever it's important that we honor this legacy of resistance.
In March 2025, the Trump administration began a campaign to systematically target Black History with the issuance of Executive Order 14253. This order calls upon federal institutions to remove all public displays of civil rights education. The removal of any mention of historical oppression on the basis of race, class, gender and sexuality is the heart of these attacks. It deems any mention of the consequences of white supremacy as “improper ideology”. Alongside this specific order, Trump has launched an all out attack on diversity programs and ethnic studies. National SDS tells students to resist the attacks on DEI and demand institutions not capitulate to a revisionist history by accepting these reactionary policy changes. We demand the true history of the struggles for Black civil liberties be not only shared but celebrated. As President Donald Trump continues to pressure our institutions, we need to pressure our campuses to not capitulate!!
National SDS encourages all of our chapters to build ties with and support black student groups and cultural centers on their campuses. Now more than ever, SDS chapters should take up the fight to defend DEI and black studies. Students should continue to demand an increase in black student enrollment. SDSers should push white supremacist groups like TPUSA off campus. Students across the country should learn the history of black student activism and be inspired to keep the legacy of resistance alive!