From the Poly, Wednesday, April 11, 1979
The Slave Auction, an event of Grand Marshal Week sposored by the Independent Council, was canceled because of pressure from Black Student Association due to offensive posters such as, “Fine specimen Males & Females Slaves to be Auctioned in ye olde McNeil Room,” a style reminescent of those of eighteenth century’s real slave auction.
After a “heat discussion” between representatives of Independent Council, the proposed sponsor of the event, and of BSA, with Dean of Students Carl Westerdahl, Assistant Dean of Students Eddie Knowles, and Acting Union Director Rick Hartt, the event was finally cancelled.
The Independent Council and BSA agreed to co-sponsor another event to raise money for the American Cancer Society, which the Slave Auction was supposed to benefit.
