Black Thursday

Black Thursday refers to the events of April 15, 1971, when approximately 70 Black students at the University of Florida marched into the administrative building, Tigert Hall, with a list of demands for UF’s then-president, Stephen O’Connell. After being told to leave three times, O’Connell suspended the students who remained in his office. These suspensions triggered additional protests around campus and ultimately led to the withdrawal of 123 Black students from the university.

Flash forward to the spring of 2021, 50 years after Black Thursday. The university aimed to create a video that would recount the history of Black Thursday, highlight student voices about its impact, and show how they continue the legacy of activism on campus.

Tigert Hall was a significant location during the Black Thursday protests. When we were tasked with creating a video celebrating the 50th anniversary, it was crucial to film the current students in the same space. Tigert Hall retains much of the same exterior and interior features as it did in 1971, allowing us to place the students in the exact spots where protesters stood on Black Thursday. This drew striking visual parallels between the student activism of the 1970s and today’s social justice movements.

As the producer and editor of this piece, I conducted interviews with the students, edited the footage, and created the animations. This project not only honored the history of Black Thursday but also showcased the ongoing commitment to social justice among current students.