Opening: "Be Revolutionary: UMass Student Solidarity with Central America in the 1980s"
Be Revolutionary: UMass Student Solidarity with Central America in the 1980s
Curated by students in the fall 2024 graduate class, History 691: Exhibit Design Practicum on Student Activism, this exhibit explores the rich history of student activism at the University of Massachusetts, with a focus on anti-imperialist organizing during the 1980s. In that decade, the United States funded military regimes and death squads in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador to destroy revolutionary movements that threatened capitalism. Between 1960 and 1996, the U.S. and its allies were overwhelmingly responsible for the killing or forced disappearance of over 300,000 civilians. Millions more were wounded, tortured, orphaned, and displaced.
UMass students joined forces with the broader Central America solidarity movement in Massachusetts and across the country to end U.S. military aid to authoritarian regimes. Students confronted university administrators, demanding that the Central Intelligence Agency and other organizations responsible for crimes against humanity stop recruiting on campus. Students led teach-ins and marches, and occupied buildings. In response, the university arrested dozens of students. With the help of Abbie Hoffman, a famous 1960s activist, Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter, historian Howard Zinn, and whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, UMass students mounted a political necessity defense at their trial. They effectively put the CIA itself on trial—and won.
THE LAUNCH EVENT
The exhibit opens on Thursday, April 3 at noon, with a student-run program featuring remarks by Professor Diana Sierra Becerra and a panel with the curators from 12:15-1pm. Dedicated time to reflect on the exhibit through art-making and alter-creation will follow from 1-2pm. Student- and community-oriented workshops organized by the UMass Alliance for Community Transformation will be held in the space from 4-6pm. The exhibit will remain on display through April 30 in the Bromery Center for the Arts Lobby from 9am-6pm on weekdays.
GROUP TOURS AND WORKSHOPS
The exhibit curators extend an invitation to UMass, Five College and other local educators to bring their classes to the exhibit. Student-led guided tours are available upon request. Advanced notice for group visits is requested. Please fill out this form to do so.
LEARN MORE
Visit the student-curated exhibit website website to learn more about this history and view a digital copy of the exhibit, references, further readings, a glossary, a workshop guide, and more!
This exhibit was made possible thanks to support from the UMass Amherst History Department, the Public History Program and the Feinberg Series.
The 2024-25 Feinberg Series
What Are Universities For? Struggles for the Soul of Higher Education
The 2024-25 Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series explores the historical roots of present-day political, economic, and ethical crises in higher education. It is presented by the UMass Amherst Department of History in partnership with numerous co-sponsors. The Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible thanks to the generosity of UMass Amherst history department alumnus Kenneth R. Feinberg ’67 and associates.
Departmental (co)sponsorship of various types of events does not constitute an endorsement of the views expressed by the presenters, either at the events in question or in other venues. Rather, sponsorship is an endorsement of the exploration of complex and sometimes difficult topics. The UMass History Department is committed to promoting the free and peaceful exchange of ideas, one of the most important functions of the university.