Expelled : James Lawson Jr. and Vanderbilt University / Benjamin Houston.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Houston, Benjamin, Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lawson, James M., 1928-2024.

Lawson, James M.

Vanderbilt University. Divinity School--Students--History--20th century.

Vanderbilt University.

Civil rights workers--Tennessee--Nashville--History--20th century.

Civil rights workers.

Civil rights demonstrations--Tennessee--Nashville--History--20th century.

Civil rights demonstrations.

Civil rights movements--Tennessee--Nashville--History--20th century.

Civil rights movements.

Physical Description:

113 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Nashville, Tennessee : Vanderbilt University Press, [2026]

Summary:

"In February 1960, as lunch counter sit ins began in southern cities, national attention focused on Nashville, where demonstrations were carried out by an unusually organized and disciplined group of students tutored extensively in nonviolent direct action. Their mentor was Reverend James Lawson, a graduate student at Vanderbilt University Divinity School with longstanding nonviolent credentials. His workshops with Nashville students, exploring Gandhian style philosophies and tactics, had predated the famed Greensboro sit ins. As demonstrations continued in Nashville, and after the worst of four successive sit ins saw violence erupt downtown, local activists demanded an audience with Mayor Ben West. At this meeting, an exchange occurred that was misconstrued by subsequent newspaper reportage. Shortly thereafter, Lawson was summarily expelled from Vanderbilt, one semester shy of graduating. His ouster triggered a wave of repercussions and headlines. After extended negotiations with their superiors were rebuffed, a large contingent of Divinity School faculty resigned en masse. Simmering dissension between faculty members, Vanderbilt's Board of Trust, and Vanderbilt administrators kept the crisis ongoing. Sustained criticism of Vanderbilt both within the city and nationally made for a turbulent situation as Lawson became a cause to celebrate for the civil rights movement as well as in wider religious and academic communities"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

The call to Nashville

Reckonings

Endgames and legacies.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Other Format:

Online version Houston, Benjamin Expelled

ISBN:

9780826500120

0826500129

OCLC:

1553748049