Looking Back at the Berkeley Free Speech Movement

Contents

Civil Rights and the Free Speech Movement      

A background paper for our defense attorneys, discussing the FSM's origins in the activist culture of the New Left, with a synopsis of the local Civil Rights activism leading to it. (12/64)

The Birth of the FSM     

The day after our sit-in around the cop-car ended, I told the story to a tape recorder. (10/3/64)

The overview essay from the project I organized to document the university's repression of the student movement. (Uniquely dry reading!) (11/2/64)

A suite of key leaflets written for the FSM, framed by later commentary. (11/8-12/8/64; 1997, 2000)

A poem begun on the day of my sentencing for the FSM. (7/65)

My review of the early books on the FSM, stressing their incomprehensions, with richly remedial notes. (10/65)

A poem reflecting on the FSM as our response to Kerr's regime. (1967)

A view of the FSM as a collective state of altered consciousness with transcendental analogues. (1973)

Looking Back at the Free Speech Movement     

Reflections on its character, and its relation to subsequent developments in student liberties and educational reform. (1974)

Reflections on a Silver Anniversary     

Reflections on the local and global legacy of the FSM, and on activist careers. (1989)

An account of the art project meant to commemorate the FSM, and the paradoxical perfection of its denoument. (1994)

A memoir on the role of folk song in the New Left, particularly in the FSM. (1995)

At his main memorial, after his untimely death. (1996)

The first half of my FSM experience -- an account of a major project within the FSM, set in perspective of the whole affair, and of its residual mystery. (2000)

The Betrayal of Lenny Glaser      

Unconscionable persecution by the University, abandonment by the FSM: marijuana as a hot potato. (2001)

A poem for the 40th Anniversary chapbook. (2004)

Somewhat-controversial appraisals for the 40th anniversary commoration. (2004)

Related Material

The Adventures of Garbageman, Under the Gentle Thumb of the Authority Complex

A memoir about my time in jail for the FSM, reflecting on education and the Movement. (late 1967)

Reflections on the social psychology of the FSM and consequent developments.  (1974)

What I learned from the FSM, the full party line -- a homily about student activism, learning, and educational democracy.  (1985)

My review of Larry Colton's Goat Brothers, a group biography of the other pole.  (1993 )

An impromptu speech during the tenth month of the Save the Oak Grove protest.  (2007 )

Yet to Come.

The Dedication of the Savio Steps  (12/97 -- 4 pp.)
            Reviewing the administration's slow reversal of attitude about the FSM.

Optional Contents

Letter to Judge Crittendon   (~6/65 -- 16 pp.)
            My letter to the judge before my sentencing, concerning my motivations.

Mario's Last Day   (1996 -- 2 pp.)
            A brief memoir distributed to FSM veterans.

( strong> Open space ( strong> <a href=../fsm/.open#style></ strong> 9/69 -- 5 pp.)( strong>
            Excerpts from an essay on forms of self-directed learning, focussed on examples from the FSM.

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