Educational Media Reviews Online

As the 50th anniversaries of student protests across the nation approach in the coming years, an onset of accounts and examination of student life and protest methods can be anticipated. Though universities and their policies were often the target of these protests, it can be expected that some will engage in celebration to co-opt the student experience and frame events to highlight policy changes within the school. These anniversaries, however, coincide with continued struggles for safety and inclusion on college campuses. These current events make it imperative that examinations into past campus struggles highlight the current environment. Agents of Change includes the contemporary student narratives when few academic and educational resources are looking to the voices on their campuses.

This film is framed by its introduction and conclusion with a spoken word poem by Nia Imani Dawson and footage of current protests, on and off college campuses. Though protests occurred nationwide in the late 1960s- early 1970s, two case studies of vastly different institutions, San Francisco State University and Cornell University, are presented using historical photographs and film, paired with contemporary accounts of those who took part and current scholars. Many factors separate the two schools, including size, private vs. public status, and location, but student concerns at both universities stemmed from the same issue: lack of representation. Students of color at both institutions did not see themselves included on the predominately white campus nor did they see representative narratives included in courses which defaulted to eurocentricity. The true divergence in these cases came in the wake of the protests, with differing faculty and administrative responses and the impact of outside forces, including the surrounding community, local government, and law enforcement. Agents of Change takes a hard look at the campus politics and the many communities that must be considered when contemplating action.

This timely film would be aptly suited for U.S. History or social movement-focused courses. It may also be of interest to students currently involved in or contemplating protests. It would make a great addition to any university library.