Stuff You Missed in History Class: SYMHC Classics - Six Impossible Episodes - Other Ins

Release Date: February 22, 2025
Hosts: Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson
Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this special "SYMHC Classics" episode titled "Six Impossible Episodes - Other Ins," hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve into a collection of pivotal yet often overlooked protest movements in American history. These "impossible episodes" explore various forms of direct action, from sit-ins and sip-ins to fish-ins and teach-ins, highlighting their unique strategies, challenges, and impacts on civil rights and social justice.

1. The Alexandria Library Sit-In (1939)

Overview:
Holly and Tracy kick off with the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In, one of the earliest civil rights actions preceding the more famous sit-ins of the 1960s.

Key Points:

• Participants: Five young Black men—William Evans, Otto L. Tucker, Edward Gaddis, Morris Murray, and Clarence Strange—aged 19 to 22.
• Action: Individually applied for library cards at a whites-only library. When denied, they sat down with books to assert their right to use the facility.
• Outcome: Instead of integrating the library, Alexandria swiftly established a separate library for Black patrons, the Robert H. Robinson Library, which opened in 1940.
• Legacy: The sit-in was a precursor to later civil rights strategies that combined direct action with legal challenges.

Notable Quote:
Tracy V. Wilson at [09:51]:
"One of the really interesting things about this sit-in is that it used the same strategy that the NAACP and other civil rights organizations were using really extensively later on."

2. Mattachine Society Sip-Ins (1966)

Overview:
The hosts discuss the Mattachine Society's strategic sip-ins aimed at challenging discriminatory regulations in New York City's bars.

Key Points:

• Participants: Dick Leisch, Craig Rodwell, John Tim, and Randy Wicker.
• Action: Entered bars, declared their homosexuality, and refused to leave, aiming to be denied service as a basis for legal action.
• Outcome: The protest led to the NY Court of Appeals ruling that "homosexuality was not inherently disorderly," challenging previous assumptions that fueled discriminatory practices.
• Impact: Although not ending discrimination entirely, it marked a significant legal victory for LGBTQ rights.

Notable Quote:
Holly Fry at [12:11]:
"The bartender had already put glasses in front of them and covered them with his hand, saying, 'I can't serve you.'"

3. Fish-Ins in the Pacific Northwest (1960s-1970s)

Overview:
Holly and Tracy explore the Fish-In movement, a series of protests by Indigenous peoples asserting their treaty rights to fish in traditionally used waters.

Key Points:

• Origins: Stemmed from 19th-century treaties guaranteeing fishing rights, which were increasingly infringed upon by state regulations and conservation laws.
• Action: Demonstrators engaged in direct actions at fishing sites, often facing harassment, arrests, and violence from authorities.
• Support: Garnered backing from allies like the NAACP and celebrities such as Marlon Brando.
• Legal Outcomes: The Bolt decision (1974) affirmed Indigenous fishing rights, allowing tribes to claim 50% of available fish catch.
• Challenges: Continued opposition from non-Indigenous fishers and limitations in the ruling, excluding certain tribes.

Notable Quote:
Tracy V. Wilson at [23:17]:
"What you won't see if you look at this photo online is that by the time that happened, a crowd of about 3,300 angry spectators... had also gathered around the building."

4. Section 504 Sit-In (1977)

Overview:
The discussion moves to the disability rights movement, focusing on the pivotal 1977 Section 504 Sit-In demanding enforcement of anti-discrimination regulations.

Key Points:

• Legislation: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first federal civil rights law for people with disabilities.
• Issue: Despite the law, regulations outlining its implementation were stalled by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).
• Action: Activists from the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities organized sit-ins at HEW offices, occupying federal buildings for days.
• Conditions: Demonstrators faced harsh living conditions but received support from various organizations and allies.
• Outcome: HEW Secretary Joseph Califano signed the regulations on April 28, 1977, establishing clear anti-discrimination guidelines.
• Legacy: Laid the groundwork for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Notable Quote:
Holly Fry at [38:36]:
"Through the sit-in, we turned ourselves from being oppressed individuals into being empowered people. We demonstrated to the entire nation that disabled people could take control over our own lives and take leadership in the struggle for equality."

5. ACT UP’s AIDS Activism (1987-Present)

Overview:
The hosts examine the activism of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) in the fight against the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and beyond.

Key Points:

• Formation: Established in 1987 in response to the slow governmental response to the AIDS crisis.
• Actions: Known for aggressive tactics like die-ins, protests at pharmaceutical companies, and public demonstrations to demand medical advancements and policy changes.
• Impact: Influenced significant reductions in drug prices (e.g., AZT), increased funding for AIDS research, and greater public awareness.
• Controversies: Some actions, such as protesting inside St. Patrick's Cathedral, generated mixed reactions and debates over tactics.
• Continuing Legacy: ACT UP remains active, addressing ongoing issues related to AIDS and healthcare.

Notable Quote:
Tracy V. Wilson at [47:53]:
"People couldn't wait that long... someone who was HIV positive could be in a study where they would be given a placebo."

6. Teach-Ins During the Vietnam War (1965)

Overview:
Finally, Holly and Tracy discuss the Teach-In movement as an educational form of protest against the Vietnam War.

Key Points:

• Origins: Began in 1965 at the University of Michigan as a response to increased U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
• Action: Instead of striking or walkouts, professors and students conducted all-night teach-ins featuring lectures and discussions on U.S. foreign policy and the impacts of the war.
• Expansion: Spread to institutions like Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley, culminating in large national events.
• Impact: Fostered informed debate, influenced public opinion, and served as a precursor to more radical anti-war actions.
• Decline: The movement waned as anti-war activism became more militant and Teach-Ins were viewed as too conservative by some activists.

Notable Quote:
Tracy V. Wilson at [55:01]:
"The Teach Ins were born in protest against United States policy in Vietnam. However, they are vehicles for a larger purpose. They are a means of discussion and debate without which democracy lacks significance."

Conclusion

In "Six Impossible Episodes - Other Ins," Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson shed light on diverse and significant protest movements that have shaped American civil rights and social justice landscapes. From early library sit-ins and strategic sip-ins challenging discrimination, to spirited fish-ins asserting Indigenous rights, pivotal disability rights sit-ins, relentless AIDS activism by ACT UP, and educational Teach-Ins opposing the Vietnam War, each episode exemplifies the power of direct action in advocating for equality and systemic change.

This comprehensive exploration not only underscores the varied strategies employed by different movements but also highlights the enduring legacy of their efforts in contemporary social justice initiatives.

Listen to "SYMHC Classics: Six Impossible Episodes - Other Ins" on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.