The History and Significance of Black Student Union Graduation Stoles

The History and Significance of Black Student Union Stoles

As graduation season rolls around at colleges and universities across the United States, a special tradition takes place - the donning of stoles by black students. These stoles, representing black student unions, black Greek letter organizations, and other black student groups, have a powerful history and meaning for their wearers.

The Origins of Black Student Unions

Black student unions emerged during the civil rights movement of the 1960s as students fought for equal treatment and recognition on college campuses. With the rising Black Power movement, these unions became more radical in demanding change. The first official black student union was founded in 1967 at San Francisco State University, which had few black faculty members and administrators at the time.

The black student unions staged protests, rallies, and sit-ins to pressure universities to establish black studies departments, hire more black professors, and actively recruit more black students. They united black students across campuses in the shared struggle against racism and inequality in higher education.

Stoles as Symbols of Black Pride

The black pride movement of the 1960s and 70s encouraged black Americans to embrace their African roots and wear traditional African clothing. Stoles became popular as a symbol of ethnic and cultural pride. Kente cloth, in particular, was incorporated into stoles due to its roots with the Asante people of Ghana.

With bold colors and intricate patterns, kente cloths were traditionally worn by African royalty and for sacred ceremonies. Adopting them into stoles imbued black American students with a sense of nobility, honor, and celebration of their heritage.

The Stole Tradition Takes Hold

Over time, black student unions made stoles part of their official uniforms, along with dashikis, t-shirts, and pins. Members wore them proudly during meetings, protests, rallies, and other events. As more black Greek letter organizations were founded, they too adopted stoles into their official paraphernalia.

By the 1970s, wearing kente cloth stoles at graduation became a widespread tradition across colleges and universities. It allowed black students to represent their organizations, honor the struggles of past generations, and celebrate how far they had come.

The Meaning Behind the Stoles

For black students, donning a stole is an important rite of passage at graduation. The stoles symbolize:

• Membership and sisterhood/brotherhood within black student organizations
• Connection to one's culture and roots
• Pride in being part of the black community
• Appreciation for those who fought for civil rights
• Achievement of graduating, especially in the face of racism and inequality
• Hope for a more just future

In addition to kente cloth, some stoles feature colors, patterns, and imagery with special meaning. For example, red, green, and black represent the Pan-African flag.

Stoles Making a Statement

When black students don their stoles at graduation, they make a powerful statement. Their stoles proclaim that they have not forgotten the struggles faced by generations past. They announce that they are proud to represent their culture and community. Stoles shout that the fight for equality continues, and they will carry it forward.

Every year, colleges ight to exclude these symbols of black pride. But black students fight back, underscoring their right to wear what reflects their identity and achievements. Today, most institutions allow stoles as students push for an inclusive environment.

Black Student Unions Today

Though racism and discrimination still exist in higher education, black student unions continue to advocate for change. They fight against racial bias and violence, lack of diversity, and low black student enrollment and graduation rates. Black student unions remind administrators that the work is not yet done.

These groups provide community, support, and empowerment to black students navigating predominantly white institutions. Stoles remain an important part of celebrating their identity and honoring those who paved the way.

Displaying Stoles With Pride

For black graduates, wearing their stoles at commencement is a chance to pay respect to generations of activists who fought for change. It allows them to represent the organizations that uplifted them during college. Stoles epitomize achieving higher education goals despite systematic obstacles.

When you see a black graduate wearing a stole, understand that it is more than just a fashion statement. It stands for resistance, empowerment, pride, and hope. Black student union stoles have a deep, powerful history behind them. They will continue inspiring future generations to celebrate their culture and fight for justice while excelling academically.

FAQs

When did black student unions first emerge?

Black student unions first emerged in the late 1960s during the civil rights movement and Black Power era. The first official black student union was founded in 1967 at San Francisco State University.

What does wearing a stole symbolize for black graduates?

For black graduates, wearing a stole symbolizes membership in black student groups, connection to one's heritage and culture, pride in the black community, honoring civil rights activists, and achieving graduation despite racism and inequality.

Why was kente cloth incorporated into black student union stoles?

Kente cloth from Ghana was incorporated into black student union stoles starting in the 1960s and 70s as a symbol of ethnic and cultural pride during the black pride movement.

What statement do black students make by wearing stoles?

When black students wear their stoles, they make a statement that they have not forgotten the struggles of past generations, are proud of their identity, and will continue the fight for racial equality and justice.

Do most colleges today allow black students to wear stoles?

Today, most colleges and universities allow black students to wear stoles at graduation, after pushback from students seeking an inclusive environment to display their cultural symbols.