Narratives of the Free Speech Movement
There are many accounts of the conflict, many stories of the FSM. Though all overlap, no two survey quite the same ground. Though most agree on much that's important, their different perspectives are rich with variety and consequence. Our offerings here will include the three vital, book-length histories of the FSM (two long out-of-print); narrative accounts from formal reports; and personal stories of the FSM entire and its episodes, in many voices.
As we gather what people have written and reach out through the Bancroft Library's oral history program, we hope to develop this suite of personal accounts into a truly collective history of the episode and its consequences.
Personal histories, stories, and memoirs
Margot Adler, "The Free Speech Movement"
A richly autobiographical account, woven from a freshwoman's family letters and mature reflection, portraying the FSM as an early, vital episode in the education of a pagan feminist. (1964, 1996; 34 pp.)
Robert Hurwitt. "Present at the Birth: A Free Speech Movement Journal"
The detailed journals of a graduate student record his involvement during the early action (9/23-10/2) and climactic events (12/1-9). An evocative personal introduction and a very brief summary of the months between tie the entries together. (1964, 1984; 18 pp.)
Joel Pimsleur, "Inside Sproul Hall" as written to Ralph Gleason
A young reporter assigned to cover the Sproul Hall sit-in from inside writes about what he can't report. (1964; 5 pp.)
Michael Rossman, "The Birth of the Free Speech Movement"
In a tape-recording made the next morning (10/3), a graduate student recounts the raw experience of the Police Car Sit-in, and recalls the developments leading to this crisis, launching the FSM's historical project. (1964; 18 pp.)
Book-length histories
Hal Draper, Berkeley: the New Student Revolt (1965, 150 pp.)
A coherent history by an independent Socialist, allied to the FSM. Draper's well-paced account of the political drama, extending through Spring 1965, is informed by serious analysis of many themes. Many will find this the most useful book-length treatment of the FSM.
David Lance Goines, The Free Speech Movement (1993, 624 pp. + 130 pp. appendices, etc.)
Goines' enthusiastic story of his involvement at age 19 continues through his jail term in 1967, and justifies the book's subtitle, "Coming of Age in the 1960s." Yet this is the broadest account of the FSM from its own perspective, for the narrative is richly woven with hundreds of pages of interviews with other participants, illuminating key developments and perspectives.
Max Heirich, The Spiral of Conflict: Berkeley, 1964 (1971, 428 pp. + 74 pp. appendices, etc.)
This sociological study focuses on the dynamics of communication and conflict among students, faculty, and administration. Heirich's careful documentation makes this the most detailed and reliable chronological record of the conflict's events and interactions. His analysis clarifies the immediate interest-dynamics that made the conflict's progression inexorable.
Narratives from formal reports
From "Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Student Conduct" (Oct. 1964, 4 of 13 pp.)
This narrative by a committee of the Academic Senate covers events through the student "infractions" of September 30, from a perspective of possible disciplinary action. Though less actively critical of the administration than the Byrne Report's later account, it helped shape faculty opinion during the conflict.
Bettina Aptheker, "The FSM: An Historical Narrative" (Feb. 1965, 24 pp.)
Less personal than most participant reports, but hardly less passionate. Aptheker's methodical review of tactics and strategy -- from the perspective of a political organizer, informed by membership on the FSM's Steering Committee and in the Communist Party -- is the best medium-sized introduction to the FSM's story. (It largely left political interpretation to a companion essay in the W.E.B. DuBois Clubs' booklet on the FSM.)
"Highlights of the Fall Events" from the Byrne Report to the Board of Regents (July 1965, 6 of 50 pp.)
A brief, relatively objective review, from an investigation commissioned by a Committee of the Regents.
From Appellants' Opening Brief, People of the State of California vs. Mario Savio and 571 Others (1966, 32 of 284 pp.)
This narrative focuses on facts pertinent to defense of those arrested in the FSM's climactic sit-in. Its last 20 pages cover the events of December 2-3 in considerable technical detail.
This page last changed 20 March, 2002
URL:
http://www.fsm-a.org/stacks/covers/narratives_cvr.html