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When Colleges Went Co-Ed And Multi-Racial | Elizabeth Toupin | TEDxBeaconStreet


I want to tell you that first thing I

I want to tell you that first thing I did was to throw up my planned speech I

did was to throw up my planned speech I

did was to throw up my planned speech I was stunned by the news that after 35

was stunned by the news that after 35

was stunned by the news that after 35 years the number the top colleges in the

years the number the top colleges in the

years the number the top colleges in the United States had not increased a number

United States had not increased a number

United States had not increased a number of black students in their schools this

of black students in their schools this

of black students in their schools this is in spite of the fact that 29 percent

is in spite of the fact that 29 percent

is in spite of the fact that 29 percent more black students were going to

more black students were going to

more black students were going to college I think this is rather shocking

college I think this is rather shocking

college I think this is rather shocking to go back to the times when I was a

to go back to the times when I was a

to go back to the times when I was a Dean I couldn’t remember many things the

Dean I couldn’t remember many things the

Dean I couldn’t remember many things the first thing is the question I’ve been

first thing is the question I’ve been

first thing is the question I’ve been asked most frequently is how did you

asked most frequently is how did you

asked most frequently is how did you become a Dean this was 1968

become a Dean this was 1968

become a Dean this was 1968 it was before the Equal Opportunities

it was before the Equal Opportunities

it was before the Equal Opportunities Act it’s been passed my simple answer

Act it’s been passed my simple answer

Act it’s been passed my simple answer was I picked up a friend of a friend and

was I picked up a friend of a friend and

was I picked up a friend of a friend and tawny shades of airport in LaGuardia

tawny shades of airport in LaGuardia

tawny shades of airport in LaGuardia Airport on the way to a party and she

Airport on the way to a party and she

Airport on the way to a party and she said I’ve just been appointed Dean of

said I’ve just been appointed Dean of

said I’ve just been appointed Dean of Jackson College what are you doing

Jackson College what are you doing

Jackson College what are you doing before the ride was over she had asked

before the ride was over she had asked

before the ride was over she had asked me to be assistant dean at Tufts

me to be assistant dean at Tufts

me to be assistant dean at Tufts University actually was Jackson College

University actually was Jackson College

University actually was Jackson College the women’s college of Tufts University

the women’s college of Tufts University

the women’s college of Tufts University so that’s how I became a Dean by going

so that’s how I became a Dean by going

so that’s how I became a Dean by going back to my childhood and a little

back to my childhood and a little

back to my childhood and a little history about myself I grew up in Hawaii

history about myself I grew up in Hawaii

history about myself I grew up in Hawaii the Hawaii of my childhood was

the Hawaii of my childhood was

the Hawaii of my childhood was essentially a segregated Society

essentially a segregated Society

essentially a segregated Society there were seven beauty queens one for

there were seven beauty queens one for

there were seven beauty queens one for each race there were there was a Chinese

each race there were there was a Chinese

each race there were there was a Chinese Methodist Church a Japanese Methodist

Methodist Church a Japanese Methodist

Methodist Church a Japanese Methodist Church a Korean Methodist Church enim

Church a Korean Methodist Church enim

Church a Korean Methodist Church enim Methodist Church for whites and also if

Methodist Church for whites and also if

Methodist Church for whites and also if we look at the chamber of commerce

we look at the chamber of commerce

we look at the chamber of commerce it was a white Chamber of Commerce or

it was a white Chamber of Commerce or

it was a white Chamber of Commerce or Chamber of Commerce for whites

Chamber of Commerce for whites

Chamber of Commerce for whites for Chinese another chamber commerce for

for Chinese another chamber commerce for

for Chinese another chamber commerce for the Japanese another chamber of commerce

the Japanese another chamber of commerce

the Japanese another chamber of commerce for the Chinese and another chamber

for the Chinese and another chamber

for the Chinese and another chamber commerce for let’s say Chinese Japanese

commerce for let’s say Chinese Japanese

commerce for let’s say Chinese Japanese Koreans so we really were in fact a

Koreans so we really were in fact a

Koreans so we really were in fact a segregated society furthermore I went to

segregated society furthermore I went to

segregated society furthermore I went to the public schools in the neighborhood

the public schools in the neighborhood

the public schools in the neighborhood in my neighborhood I looked at my

in my neighborhood I looked at my

in my neighborhood I looked at my graduation picture in the 6th grade

graduation picture in the 6th grade

graduation picture in the 6th grade and I was one of well there I was one of

and I was one of well there I was one of

and I was one of well there I was one of four percent Asians in my class at a

four percent Asians in my class at a

four percent Asians in my class at a time with it

time with it

time with it Asian population in Hawaii was eighty

Asian population in Hawaii was eighty

Asian population in Hawaii was eighty percent Asian I can’t say it really was

percent Asian I can’t say it really was

percent Asian I can’t say it really was not a segregated Society so moving fast

not a segregated Society so moving fast

not a segregated Society so moving fast forward to 1968 when I was had picked up

forward to 1968 when I was had picked up

forward to 1968 when I was had picked up Tony shades and became a Dean this

Tony shades and became a Dean this

Tony shades and became a Dean this question I’ve been most frequently asked

question I’ve been most frequently asked

question I’ve been most frequently asked was what was life what was life like as

was what was life what was life like as

was what was life what was life like as a game what was it like to me again in

a game what was it like to me again in

a game what was it like to me again in the 60s you remember the sixties when

the 60s you remember the sixties when

the 60s you remember the sixties when the divorce rates were run running high

the divorce rates were run running high

the divorce rates were run running high and students in one stay in school the

and students in one stay in school the

and students in one stay in school the Vietnam War was on there were the

Vietnam War was on there were the

Vietnam War was on there were the children of the greatest generation the

children of the greatest generation the

children of the greatest generation the children Martin Luther King’s generation

children Martin Luther King’s generation

children Martin Luther King’s generation and they were not what you would call

and they were not what you would call

and they were not what you would call Placid students there’s also something

Placid students there’s also something

Placid students there’s also something new had been added to the list of joy

new had been added to the list of joy

new had been added to the list of joy joy like drinks we now had LSD on campus

joy like drinks we now had LSD on campus

joy like drinks we now had LSD on campus we had marijuana to add to alcohol there

we had marijuana to add to alcohol there

we had marijuana to add to alcohol there was a high demand for co-ed dorms we

was a high demand for co-ed dorms we

was a high demand for co-ed dorms we Tufts was the first one to have a cord

Tufts was the first one to have a cord

Tufts was the first one to have a cord dorm funded by the United States

dorm funded by the United States

dorm funded by the United States government but that moves us into

government but that moves us into

government but that moves us into another phase when the big issues on

another phase when the big issues on

another phase when the big issues on campus was the construction of a new

campus was the construction of a new

campus was the construction of a new dorm the new dorm was along with two of

dorm the new dorm was along with two of

dorm the new dorm was along with two of the projects of Brandeis and Harvard

the projects of Brandeis and Harvard

the projects of Brandeis and Harvard University brought the students out on

University brought the students out on

University brought the students out on mass because they found out that well 30

mass because they found out that well 30

mass because they found out that well 30 million dollars was gonna be spent on

million dollars was gonna be spent on

million dollars was gonna be spent on these projects

these projects

these projects the United States government contracts

the United States government contracts

the United States government contracts in those days did not have a Fair

in those days did not have a Fair

in those days did not have a Fair Employment clause this is 25 years after

Employment clause this is 25 years after

Employment clause this is 25 years after World War two that’s a quarter of a

World War two that’s a quarter of a

World War two that’s a quarter of a century and the contracts building

century and the contracts building

century and the contracts building contracts in Boston did not allow

contracts in Boston did not allow

contracts in Boston did not allow minority workers so the students at

minority workers so the students at

minority workers so the students at Harvard Brandeis and tough decide to go

Harvard Brandeis and tough decide to go

Harvard Brandeis and tough decide to go on a strike

on a strike

on a strike they did two nights before the strike

they did two nights before the strike

they did two nights before the strike the Afro Society stopped talking to the

the Afro Society stopped talking to the

the Afro Society stopped talking to the administration this required on campus I

administration this required on campus I

administration this required on campus I walked around to all the Jackson dorms

walked around to all the Jackson dorms

walked around to all the Jackson dorms and said we’re not sure what’s going to

and said we’re not sure what’s going to

and said we’re not sure what’s going to happen but we just want you to be calm

happen but we just want you to be calm

happen but we just want you to be calm and everything will be fine I got back

and everything will be fine I got back

and everything will be fine I got back home told my children if I’m not here

home told my children if I’m not here

home told my children if I’m not here I’m okay I’ll be somewhere on campus and

I’m okay I’ll be somewhere on campus and

I’m okay I’ll be somewhere on campus and I went to bed with my fully dressed in

I went to bed with my fully dressed in

I went to bed with my fully dressed in my suit that lasted for about 15 minutes

my suit that lasted for about 15 minutes

my suit that lasted for about 15 minutes I heard shouts and screams got a call

I heard shouts and screams got a call

I heard shouts and screams got a call from the President’s House what’s going

from the President’s House what’s going

from the President’s House what’s going on I said it’s a panty raid

on I said it’s a panty raid

on I said it’s a panty raid it’s a what it’s a panty raid

it’s a what it’s a panty raid

it’s a what it’s a panty raid well this question was what are they

well this question was what are they

well this question was what are they shouting they’re shouting we want silk

shouting they’re shouting we want silk

shouting they’re shouting we want silk that went out world war two yes but they

that went out world war two yes but they

that went out world war two yes but they probably learned it from their fathers

probably learned it from their fathers

probably learned it from their fathers the next day the strike was on it was a

the next day the strike was on it was a

the next day the strike was on it was a very rainy wet day the black students

very rainy wet day the black students

very rainy wet day the black students were out the white students were out to

were out the white students were out to

were out the white students were out to protect the black students the faculty

protect the black students the faculty

protect the black students the faculty was out Allen was out there with some

was out Allen was out there with some

was out Allen was out there with some young faculty members I want to tell you

young faculty members I want to tell you

young faculty members I want to tell you a story about a lawman when L was in

a story about a lawman when L was in

a story about a lawman when L was in World War two he headed a peaky sorry

World War two he headed a peaky sorry

World War two he headed a peaky sorry landing craft boat that is one that

landing craft boat that is one that

landing craft boat that is one that takes the troops ashore

takes the troops ashore

takes the troops ashore it was d-day and it was his job to get

it was d-day and it was his job to get

it was d-day and it was his job to get the troops ashore when he got to shore a

the troops ashore when he got to shore a

the troops ashore when he got to shore a lot of the younger guys

lot of the younger guys

lot of the younger guys want to get off the landing craft and he

want to get off the landing craft and he

want to get off the landing craft and he had two urgent

had two urgent

had two urgent after all they looked around they saw

after all they looked around they saw

after all they looked around they saw these dead bodies floating having

these dead bodies floating having

these dead bodies floating having gunfire he had to go back and get more

gunfire he had to go back and get more

gunfire he had to go back and get more troops so the troops had gone ashore

troops so the troops had gone ashore

troops so the troops had gone ashore this time he was going to have a lot of

this time he was going to have a lot of

this time he was going to have a lot of assistance and he did in the way of

assistance and he did in the way of

assistance and he did in the way of other young faculty members

other young faculty members

other young faculty members well it really rained that day after

well it really rained that day after

well it really rained that day after marks the strike was called off and the

marks the strike was called off and the

marks the strike was called off and the result was that these thirty million

result was that these thirty million

result was that these thirty million dollar contracts at Harvard Brandeis

dollar contracts at Harvard Brandeis

dollar contracts at Harvard Brandeis said cuffs

said cuffs

said cuffs brought to Tufts to plumbers and to to

brought to Tufts to plumbers and to to

brought to Tufts to plumbers and to to tradesmen I can’t remember what they did

tradesmen I can’t remember what they did

tradesmen I can’t remember what they did and that was what the gain was that was

and that was what the gain was that was

and that was what the gain was that was but the whole strike was about today I’m

but the whole strike was about today I’m

but the whole strike was about today I’m going to speak a little more about black

going to speak a little more about black

going to speak a little more about black students and white colleges because of

students and white colleges because of

students and white colleges because of the what’s currently happening what was

the what’s currently happening what was

the what’s currently happening what was their experience like for most students

their experience like for most students

their experience like for most students in America I think morning schools

in America I think morning schools

in America I think morning schools anyway boarding colleges their

anyway boarding colleges their

anyway boarding colleges their experience with black students as a way

experience with black students as a way

experience with black students as a way of living with them was quite different

of living with them was quite different

of living with them was quite different from going to maybe going to school with

from going to maybe going to school with

from going to maybe going to school with them even that was rare in the sixties

them even that was rare in the sixties

them even that was rare in the sixties for black and white students at at Tufts

for black and white students at at Tufts

for black and white students at at Tufts University and it’s the only place I can

University and it’s the only place I can

University and it’s the only place I can talk about the experience buried some

talk about the experience buried some

talk about the experience buried some black white students roommates got along

black white students roommates got along

black white students roommates got along very well others didn’t but they were

very well others didn’t but they were

very well others didn’t but they were very polite and they just separated

very polite and they just separated

very polite and they just separated others had a pretty rough time in one

others had a pretty rough time in one

others had a pretty rough time in one case and in one dormitory the students

case and in one dormitory the students

case and in one dormitory the students wouldn’t nobody would live with the

wouldn’t nobody would live with the

wouldn’t nobody would live with the white a white student she’d been so

white a white student she’d been so

white a white student she’d been so nasty to her roommate and so we had a

nasty to her roommate and so we had a

nasty to her roommate and so we had a mover out of the dorm and let me tell

mover out of the dorm and let me tell

mover out of the dorm and let me tell you some of the things that happen it

you some of the things that happen it

you some of the things that happen it was not unusual for a black student to

was not unusual for a black student to

was not unusual for a black student to be a town or white student say can I see

be a town or white student say can I see

be a town or white student say can I see your hands

your hands

your hands why are they so white why they black on

why are they so white why they black on

why are they so white why they black on the other side can I check your hair how

the other side can I check your hair how

the other side can I check your hair how do you comb your hair how do you work

do you comb your hair how do you work

do you comb your hair how do you work the coin washing machines we always had

the coin washing machines we always had

the coin washing machines we always had our own at home

our own at home

our own at home assuming that of course the black

assuming that of course the black

assuming that of course the black students never had washing machines at

students never had washing machines at

students never had washing machines at home after two years a group of 12 black

home after two years a group of 12 black

home after two years a group of 12 black students came to see me and said could

students came to see me and said could

students came to see me and said could we have a set of rooms through ourselves

we have a set of rooms through ourselves

we have a set of rooms through ourselves and I said well there’s the Afra house

and I said well there’s the Afra house

and I said well there’s the Afra house where you could live no we don’t want to

where you could live no we don’t want to

where you could live no we don’t want to live in the house but we would like a

live in the house but we would like a

live in the house but we would like a place where we could be together I said

place where we could be together I said

place where we could be together I said you have to ask the Housing Group this

you have to ask the Housing Group this

you have to ask the Housing Group this move of students after the freshman year

move of students after the freshman year

move of students after the freshman year was decided by a group of upperclassmen

was decided by a group of upperclassmen

was decided by a group of upperclassmen after a three-hour debate they did allow

after a three-hour debate they did allow

after a three-hour debate they did allow these students to move into a section of

these students to move into a section of

these students to move into a section of their own I did have one black student

their own I did have one black student

their own I did have one black student who finally quit and said I’m leaving

who finally quit and said I’m leaving

who finally quit and said I’m leaving I’m tired of being Whitey’s play school

I’m tired of being Whitey’s play school

I’m tired of being Whitey’s play school toy and she rejoined the Alvin Ailey

toy and she rejoined the Alvin Ailey

toy and she rejoined the Alvin Ailey Dance Group I give that as an as an

Dance Group I give that as an as an

Dance Group I give that as an as an insight as to what really happens in a

insight as to what really happens in a

insight as to what really happens in a university dormitory let’s see what

university dormitory let’s see what

university dormitory let’s see what other stories have I got to tell you as

other stories have I got to tell you as

other stories have I got to tell you as we as we move on at this particular

we as we move on at this particular

we as we move on at this particular point I think it’s important to see that

point I think it’s important to see that

point I think it’s important to see that not having the top universities and

not having the top universities and

not having the top universities and colleges in this country and that I’m

colleges in this country and that I’m

colleges in this country and that I’m talking about the 29 that New York Times

talking about the 29 that New York Times

talking about the 29 that New York Times identified not having them increase the

identified not having them increase the

identified not having them increase the number of black students in the third of

number of black students in the third of

number of black students in the third of the century it’s kind of a disgrace and

the century it’s kind of a disgrace and

the century it’s kind of a disgrace and I’ll end up with a story of Helen Keller

I’ll end up with a story of Helen Keller

I’ll end up with a story of Helen Keller when I was a little girl actually in the

when I was a little girl actually in the

when I was a little girl actually in the fifth grade Helen Keller came to Hawaii

my fifth-grade teacher pushed me in

my fifth-grade teacher pushed me in front of Helen Keller and said here’s a

front of Helen Keller and said here’s a

front of Helen Keller and said here’s a little Korean girl and out came this

little Korean girl and out came this

little Korean girl and out came this hand and his hands like tentacles went

hand and his hands like tentacles went

hand and his hands like tentacles went over my face and I always wondered what

over my face and I always wondered what

over my face and I always wondered what did she see what did she feel how did

did she see what did she feel how did

did she see what did she feel how did you know who I was Helen Keller too

you know who I was Helen Keller too

you know who I was Helen Keller too smiled at me and I I thought about a

smiled at me and I I thought about a

smiled at me and I I thought about a great deal and then realized one day

great deal and then realized one day

great deal and then realized one day that it was it was a matter of having no

that it was it was a matter of having no

that it was it was a matter of having no eyes have you no eyes was a phrase that

eyes have you no eyes was a phrase that

eyes have you no eyes was a phrase that my family used constantly it was so what

my family used constantly it was so what

my family used constantly it was so what sociologists are psychologists say a way

sociologists are psychologists say a way

sociologists are psychologists say a way of controlling behavior have you no eyes

of controlling behavior have you no eyes

of controlling behavior have you no eyes can’t you see the situation and so the

can’t you see the situation and so the

can’t you see the situation and so the term have you no eyes is a very common

term have you no eyes is a very common

term have you no eyes is a very common phrase in my my time have you no eyes so

phrase in my my time have you no eyes so

phrase in my my time have you no eyes so I say to the new generations to the more

I say to the new generations to the more

I say to the new generations to the more than the twenty nine colleges and

than the twenty nine colleges and

than the twenty nine colleges and universities have you no eyes thank you

universities have you no eyes thank you

universities have you no eyes thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] you

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