Boren - Student resistance: a history of the unruly subject

Routledge

New York London

Several generations of American activistsboth past and present inspired my interest in student resistance. During the writing of this book, my own students taught me much on the subject, and I owe a great deal of my understanding of modern student concerns to them. My professional colleagues at the University of Georgia and at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington have shared their own insights and stories, for which I am deeply grateful. Librarians and staff at numerous institutions helped me locate materials, and particularly helpful were those at the University of Georgia, Harvard, the Huntington, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. During 1998 and 1999, the University of Georgia contributed to research trips to Paris, London, Washington, and Mexico City; in 1999 the same university also made possible an extensive trip traveling and researching in California. In all my travels, I met people with stories, artifacts, and opinions that helped me deepen my understanding of specific conflicts and their outcomes; the enthusiasm I encountered for the subject confirmed that the effects of acts of student resistance not only are important to the participants but are socially profound and globally felt. I was particularly lucky to be able to visit Mexico City during the recent UNAM strikes and witness, as well, the massive student demonstration commemorating the 1968 Mexico City student massacre; students, riot police, professors, government officials, Mexico City residentsall willingly shared their views on present and past student actions, giving me a unique opportunity to see Mexico's student conflicts from different vantage points.

My greatest thanks go to individuals, however, who gave me their time, thoughts, and friendship. I am grateful to Tricia Lootens, Miranda Pollard, and Uri Vaknin, who confirmed for me that certain battles were worth fighting; they've given much of their lives to making the world a better place in which to live, and my respect for them is great. France Teague is an inspiration. John Boyd, Tim Engels, Michael Hendrick, Elizabeth Kraft, Hubert McAlexander, Patrick McCord, Governor Raymond P. Shafer, Joe Sigalas, and Anne Williams have all contributed historical perspectives on student actions that expanded my understanding of student resistance in significant and very different ways. Bill Germano at Routledge offered advice on the manuscript and support. Special thanks to Debra Williams, Stewart Cauley, Enicia Fisher, and Ted Blake, all of whom provided me with knowledge, sanity, support, friendship, and lots of caffeine.

Doyle Boren can never know the gratitude I feel for his being my father. I owe much of who I am to his guidance. Jan Boren has taught me much about thoughtfulness and compassion. Bill and Nancy Montwieler have been tremendously supportive; Bill's knowledge of political history and Nancy's understanding of and involvement in the struggles of American labor have been invaluable, and their suggestions greatly improved the final book. My brother, Curt, has always been an inspiration and an example for me, and my sisters- and brother-in-lawAlice, Thea, and Jacobhave enthusiastically encouraged me on this project and have also had the good graces to at least feign interest when I rambled on too long about it. David's and Alicia's arrival in the world have made me understand what is at stake in making the world a more humane, thoughtful, and peaceful place.

My greatest debt I owe to two women who have had the most influence on my life. My mother, Nelda Edelman Boren, gave me love and taught me the meaning of personal strength. Her final battle, with cancer, was fought with the same ardor with which she lived her life. Katherine Montwieler's support and love are beyond measure. To my delight, my debt to her grows daily. As with all my endeavors, Kate had faith in this project from the start, and she also read, discussed, and corrected each draft of the manuscript. Thanks to her, the struggle of life is a joyous one.