A History of the Haverford Group and the Battle for Racial Justice

FAIN: FT-59559-12

Michael Donald Lackey
University of Minnesota (Morris, MN 56267-2132)

Over the years, scholars have mentioned the Haverford Group, which consisted of prominent African American intellectuals (Ralph Ellison, John Hope Franklin, Kenneth Clark, J. Saunders Redding, among others) who opposed the black separatist movements sweeping through the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, but they have told us very little about the Group. This summer, I found a transcription of the Group's first meeting, which is a 195-page manuscript that clearly defines the Group's integrationist position, identifies flaws in the black separatist philosophy, and formulates a program of counter-action. I am currently converting this manuscript into a book, but I still need to visit archives that contain necessary information in order to write an introduction; provide a concise historical background for understanding the origin and mission of the Group; and define the conflicting philosophies dividing black integrationists and separatists.

Associated Products