Edmond, Oklahoma, is often considered a quiet suburban town, but its history tells a more complicated story. In the 1960s, Edmond was not just predominantly white—it was entirely white. This wasn’t by coincidence; it was the product of systemic exclusion. But the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 became a pivotal moment that shook even this seemingly insulated community.
Let’s dive into how Dr. King’s legacy rippled through Edmond and Central State College (now the University of Central Oklahoma), sparking change, tension, and a reckoning with racial injustice.
A Jukebox, a Chapel, and a Fight
When Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, cities across the United States erupted in grief and anger. In Edmond, Central State College held a memorial service in its chapel to honor Dr. King’s life and work. The service was broadcast to the student union for those who couldn’t attend in person. But not everyone took the occasion seriously.
As the solemn broadcast played, someone in the student union decided it was the perfect time to crank up an upbeat song on the jukebox. This act nearly sparked a physical altercation as others scrambled to turn it off. This moment captured the deep racial divide on campus and in Edmond at large. To make matters worse, classes weren’t canceled that day, leaving many students feeling that the college had failed to honor Dr. King’s memory properly.
A March to Remember
Frustrated by what they saw as indifference from college leadership, about 70 African American students organized a march to President Garland Godfrey’s office. When they found he wasn’t there, they rallied outside by the administration building’s flagpole instead. The discussion turned intense as students debated whether nonviolence—the cornerstone of Dr. King’s philosophy—was still the right approach.
In the end, they voted to stick with nonviolence, a decision that underscored their commitment to Dr. King’s principles even in the face of systemic racism and personal frustration.
Fights, Suspensions, and Dorm Drama
The tensions didn’t end there. Later, in 1968, two incidents further highlighted racial divides on campus. First came a fight in the dining hall between African American and white students. Both sides faced suspensions, but one African American student suffered injuries that included facial cuts and missing teeth.
Then came what can only be described as dormitory drama with serious consequences. Two African American female students—Guin Greene and Mattie Multer—were suspended following an unspecified “disturbance” in the girls’ dormitory. Their appeal was denied, sparking outrage among African American students who accused the college of racial discrimination.
These incidents led to peaceful protests and demands for change and exposed troubling practices at Central State College. For example, all African American students were housed on the same floor of their dorms—an arrangement that violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to integrate housing.
Federal Scrutiny and Cultural Shifts
The dormitory segregation issue caught the attention of the NAACP and eventually led to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). While this investigation marked a step toward accountability, it also highlighted how deeply ingrained discrimination had been at the college and in Edmond itself.
Central State College began making changes in the early 1970s in response to growing awareness of racial issues on campus. Black Heritage Week debuted in February 1970 to celebrate Black culture and achievements. Sponsored by Black Greek organizations on campus, it featured speakers, entertainers, and discussions about race in America.
The college also began hiring more African American faculty members and offering courses focused on African American history and culture—a slow but significant shift toward inclusivity.
The Long Road to Representation
Dr. Paul Lehman, who taught Central State College’s first African American history course in 1971, played a key role in pushing for these changes. Lehman also fought hard to introduce an Ethnic American Literature course but faced repeated rejections before finally succeeding years later.
Lehman’s career wasn’t without setbacks; when he ran for Department Chairperson in 1984, he faced fierce opposition from colleagues who didn’t want an African American leader representing them. Although he lost that election—a moment his supporters described as blatant racism—Lehman went on to become Graduate Dean, where he continued advocating for diversity in education.
Edmond Today: Progress With Room for Growth
Fast forward several decades: Edmond is no longer an all-white enclave but remains predominantly white. As of 2021, about 20% of Edmond’s population identified as non-white—a significant increase from its past but still below Oklahoma’s statewide average.
The city has made strides toward acknowledging its segregated history while fostering diversity and inclusion. However, Edmond’s journey serves as a reminder that progress is often slow and hard-won—and that honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy requires more than just words; it demands action.
Dr. King once said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” In Edmond’s case, that arc has bent—but only because people were willing to push against it when it seemed immovable.
Source: edmondhistory.org
Header Image Source: edmondhistory.org
