#TBT in the Archives 2/26/15

The Black SSCene, November 1975

The Black SSCene was a Shippensburg State College (SSC) underground newspaper that was produced in the late 1970s by African American students. These images are the first productions of the newspaper, which premiered in November 1975. Giving voice to black students, the editor's statement on the front page proclaims, "we, the Brothers and Sisters of SSC, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice...do hereby create and perpetuate the BLACK SCCENE."

The Black SSCene was the first SSC periodical that discussed black student issues, activities, and events on campus and was intended for readers of all races and ethnic backgrounds. This issue in particular addresses the lack of unity among black students, explaining that the key to unity is communication. The Black SSCene's creation and publication was just one step towards bridging this gap. Other articles highlight black students on campus such as Gwen Brown, the first "Sweetheart" of the Alpha Beta Omega fraternity; poetry; music reviews; sports; and civil rights and race relations at the national level.

The complete November 1975 issue of the Black SSCene, along with two other issues, are available to view in the University Archives & Special Collections at Ezra Lehman Memorial Library.

Want to learn more about Ship's history? No need to wait for the next Throwback Thursday! Visit Archives & Special Collections during our open research hours, or contact us via e-mail: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1516.