Difference between revisions of "Southern Student Organizing Committee"

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'''Southern Student Organizing Committee''' came into existence in the mid 1960’s. It was a group made of white college students, and its goal was to promote civil rights for all Americans. The members of SSOC were middle class, college educated, progressives and their views on racial equality often resulted in social and economic hardships. The drawbacks of their progressive visions forced them to reconsider their stances on racial issues and often softened their stances. The SSOC also had connections with the [[Students for a Democratic Society]] (SDS) which operated in the North. The SDS was a more radical group and this mentality prevented them from garnering support in the South which was a much more conservative area. The SSOC encouraged rebellion in the form of nonviolent activities, such as sit-ins. As the group grew they began to take on other issues such as the Vietnam War and poverty to name a few. The anti-war demonstrations became a big part of the groups organized activities. As the group grew in size to take on more issues the focus was lost. There was a disappearance of direction and this ultimately resulted in the group’s demise before the end of the decade.<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/blog/ssoc/Southern Student Organizing Committee]</ref>
 
'''Southern Student Organizing Committee''' came into existence in the mid 1960’s. It was a group made of white college students, and its goal was to promote civil rights for all Americans. The members of SSOC were middle class, college educated, progressives and their views on racial equality often resulted in social and economic hardships. The drawbacks of their progressive visions forced them to reconsider their stances on racial issues and often softened their stances. The SSOC also had connections with the [[Students for a Democratic Society]] (SDS) which operated in the North. The SDS was a more radical group and this mentality prevented them from garnering support in the South which was a much more conservative area. The SSOC encouraged rebellion in the form of nonviolent activities, such as sit-ins. As the group grew they began to take on other issues such as the Vietnam War and poverty to name a few. The anti-war demonstrations became a big part of the groups organized activities. As the group grew in size to take on more issues the focus was lost. There was a disappearance of direction and this ultimately resulted in the group’s demise before the end of the decade.<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/blog/ssoc/Southern Student Organizing Committee]</ref>
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==Disbanding==
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“Continuing internal discord over SSOC’s mission, agenda, and tactics had become a serious distraction for the group and undermined its ability to create effective programs or adequately support its members across the region.” -[[Gregg L. Michel]]
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This discord focused largely on the use of confederate rhetoric and symbolism and the way in which that usage portrayed the group.
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SSOC faced external pressures which sought to dissolve the organization. SDS factions struggling for control of the group believed that destroying the SSOC would help their cause.
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[[Progressive Labor Party]] severed ties with SSOC because they believe that the SSOC was “a hopelessly liberal organization.” They criticized the SSOC for being “bourgeoisie liberalism” meaning that they represented a false liberal ideology because their membership was to middle class. They also criticized the SSOC for their use of confederate symbols, saying that this was offensive to anyone opposed to racism.
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In response to the attack, SSOC leaders drafted a series of position papers. Later, at a meeting in Austin, NC the SSOC adopted an attitude of appeasement in seeking to reconcile with the SDS and essentially admitted the validity of many of the SDS’s criticisms. This undermined internal support for the group and furthermore it brought the internal problems of the group to light for the general audience.
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The SSOC then voted to allow non-members at its annual membership conference at Mt. Beulah Conference Center in Edwards, Mississippi. This was done in the hope that vocal critics of the SSOC would attend and help in fixing organizational problems. Unfortunately, at this point the SSOC was disorganized and fragmented beyond repair. Even supporters were too ambivalent to fight for its continuation. Both supporters and opponents alike voted to disband the group.<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/blog/ssoc/dissolution.htmlThe Dissolution of the SSOC]</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 17:30, 30 July 2015

0818-044small.jpg

Southern Student Organizing Committee came into existence in the mid 1960’s. It was a group made of white college students, and its goal was to promote civil rights for all Americans. The members of SSOC were middle class, college educated, progressives and their views on racial equality often resulted in social and economic hardships. The drawbacks of their progressive visions forced them to reconsider their stances on racial issues and often softened their stances. The SSOC also had connections with the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) which operated in the North. The SDS was a more radical group and this mentality prevented them from garnering support in the South which was a much more conservative area. The SSOC encouraged rebellion in the form of nonviolent activities, such as sit-ins. As the group grew they began to take on other issues such as the Vietnam War and poverty to name a few. The anti-war demonstrations became a big part of the groups organized activities. As the group grew in size to take on more issues the focus was lost. There was a disappearance of direction and this ultimately resulted in the group’s demise before the end of the decade.[1]

Disbanding

“Continuing internal discord over SSOC’s mission, agenda, and tactics had become a serious distraction for the group and undermined its ability to create effective programs or adequately support its members across the region.” -Gregg L. Michel

This discord focused largely on the use of confederate rhetoric and symbolism and the way in which that usage portrayed the group.

SSOC faced external pressures which sought to dissolve the organization. SDS factions struggling for control of the group believed that destroying the SSOC would help their cause.

Progressive Labor Party severed ties with SSOC because they believe that the SSOC was “a hopelessly liberal organization.” They criticized the SSOC for being “bourgeoisie liberalism” meaning that they represented a false liberal ideology because their membership was to middle class. They also criticized the SSOC for their use of confederate symbols, saying that this was offensive to anyone opposed to racism.

In response to the attack, SSOC leaders drafted a series of position papers. Later, at a meeting in Austin, NC the SSOC adopted an attitude of appeasement in seeking to reconcile with the SDS and essentially admitted the validity of many of the SDS’s criticisms. This undermined internal support for the group and furthermore it brought the internal problems of the group to light for the general audience.

The SSOC then voted to allow non-members at its annual membership conference at Mt. Beulah Conference Center in Edwards, Mississippi. This was done in the hope that vocal critics of the SSOC would attend and help in fixing organizational problems. Unfortunately, at this point the SSOC was disorganized and fragmented beyond repair. Even supporters were too ambivalent to fight for its continuation. Both supporters and opponents alike voted to disband the group.[2]

References

Template:Reflist