Legacy and Impact

Background image: Legacy and Impact

About

Welcome to the TWLF Legacy and Impact page! This section is dedicated to honoring the Third World Liberation Front (TWLF)’s expansive impact beyond university boundaries, focusing on pivotal movements and community organizations championed by the 1969 TWLF UC Berkeley strikers.

Currently, this section centers mostly on the legacy of the 1969 UC Berkeley TWLF Strike, a critical moment that catalyzed widespread social change. Moving forward, we plan to expand our coverage to include the rich legacies of other TWLF movements and capture the full scope of TWLF’s enduring impact, honoring the deep-rooted legacy of solidarity and empowerment. If you have a story, resource, or related information connected to the TWLF's legacy that should be recognized, please contribute your insights via our submission form: 

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Visit this link to submit your feedback, suggestions, or additions to the site.

On Campus
Image of group posing for TWLF 50th Anniversary Event Photo at the MCC

The Legacy of TWLF at UC Berkeley

The TWLF Strikes at UC Berkeley significantly reshaped the campus and community by setting the foundation to establish such critical campus spaces as the Center for Race and Gender, The Department of Ethnic Studies, the Ethnic Studies Library, the Multicultural Community Center and the Multicultural Community Center, among others. The strikes' legacy has also prioritized the study of race and ethnicity in both research and teaching. TWLF's Legacy is also responsible for the creation of the American Cultures Requirement at UC Berkeley and similar requirements across the UC system. Learn about the direct ties between the establishment of these influential centers, organizations, and departments and the TWLF strike. You may also visit our About page to learn about how these organizations helped develop this website.

Across California Campuses
Student protests for Ethnic Studies at Harvard University

Institutional Changes

TWLF's efforts impacted almost every CSU and UC campus. Whether through changes in student demographics or through the initiation of Ethnic Studies curricula across various institutions of higher learning, California is greatly indebted to the advocacy and demands of movements like TWLF. Analyze the structural changes within educational institutions prompted by TWLF, including Ethnic Studies courses, graduation requirements, related curricula and more. Learn more

Beyond Campuses
Image of Indians from All Tribes at the Occupation of Alcatraz

TWLF's Cultural and Societal Legacy

Uncover the extensive influence of the 1969 TWLF strike at UC Berkeley beyond the university walls. This section highlights pivotal movements and community organizations that sprang from the activism of TWLF strikers, including the International Hotel strike and the Occupation of Alcatraz, among others. Both events were emblematic of the broader struggles and achievements spurred by the TWLF. This section also delves into the genesis and impact of significant community organizations and cultural landmarks that were established during and after these movements, including Asian Health Services, East Wind Books, as well as the influential Rainbow Sign, which served as a vibrant cultural hub for African American arts and dialogue. Lastly, TWLF activists at UC Berkeley were instrumental in coining the term "Asian American," shifting away from derogatory labels and developing a new sense of racial and cultural identity and solidarity among Asian ethnic groups. This term became a unifying call that resonated deeply within the community, helping to bind diverse groups in their shared struggles for rights and recognition. Learn More

Educational Revolution
A group of community leaders

TWLF's Contributions to Curricular Innovation

Learn about the creation of Ethnic Studies programs across various universities and the push for these programs to be included in K-12 education in states like California and Oregon. In this section, we discuss how TWLF's activism contributed to the establishment of Ethnic Studies courses, graduation requirements, and related curricula at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The adoption of these courses marked a significant victory in the TWLF's efforts to integrate comprehensive and relevant historical perspectives into the educational curricula, ensuring that future generations understand all narratives that have helped shape and impact their surrounding communities.
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Challenges

Protests against Ethnic Studies Bans in Arizona

Challenges

There continues to be significant challenges that not only Ethnic Studies programs face, but also efforts to increase the number of students of color in colleges and universities through policies like Affirmative Action. In California, the creation of its high school Ethnic Studies graduation requirement sparked celebration and resistance among communities and policymakers. In Arizona, the backlash was more severe, with the enactment of House Bill 2281 in 2010 leading to the dismantling of Tucson Unified School District's Mexican-American Studies program. Institutions of higher education also experience multifaceted opposition following the successful implementation of Ethnic Studies curricula. From the Third World College that was never realized at UC Berkeley, to backlash against Ethnic Studies programs in secondary and post-secondary education, to efforts to do away with Affirmative Action in higher education, this page will help you learn about challenges to policies and programs that are part of the legacy or in the spirit of the Third World Liberation Front. Despite these significant challenges and setbacks, communities are organizing and pushing back. Learn more