In February 1969, black students at Duke seized the Allen Building, the university’s main administration building, to demand changes in the university's racial climate. A daylong standoff ended with the students leaving the building at the same moment that police in riot gear stormed it. Police subsequently engaged crowds of students in its main quad, using clubs and tear gas. The protest and its results has left a long shadow. In 2019, celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the takeover brought some of the original protesters back on campus for panel discussions, storytelling, and reconnection with old friends and places. Using those discussions, interviews, and archival tape, Pivot Point tells the story of the occupation and its aftermath.
From the Judges
The work that went into creating this podcast is evident. All of the research and editing work is exemplary. This creates a definitive tie for current students to the past. The host is a great storyteller, providing listeners with a structure to the audio clips and multiple voices. The podcast was incredibly emotional.
