How BYU Kept Black Students Out - Dr. Matt Harris’ Second Class Saints | Ep. 1935

How BYU Kept Black Students Out: A Legacy of Racial Exclusion

The disheartening history of racial exclusion at Brigham Young University (BYU) illustrates how systemic policies were used to keep Black students out, reflecting broader racial attitudes within the LDS Church during the 1960s. Recent discussions, such as those by Dr. Matt Harris on the Mormon Stories Podcast, highlight how calculated policies at BYU were part of a broader struggle for racial equality faced by Black Mormons.

The struggle for civil rights in the United States during the 1960s cast a harsh light on institutions that maintained discriminatory practices. While many mainline Protestant and Catholic churches began reinterpreting their theology to promote racial equality, the LDS Church, and by extension its institutions like BYU, maintained racially exclusionary practices in both rhetoric and policy. This revealed an incompatibility between the civil rights movement's ideals and the entrenched policies at BYU designed to deter Black students from enrolling.

The Institutional Machinery Behind Exclusion

Brigham Young University's exclusionary policies were deeply embedded within its administration. Ernest L. Wilkinson, BYU's president during the 1960s, played a pivotal role. Known for his authoritarian style, Wilkinson avoided explicit statements against Black students in official documents, fearing repercussions from federal authorities. However, in practice, policies were engineered to subtly ensure a de facto segregation.

According to Dr. Harris’ research, BYU sent out form letters to Black applicants indicating they would not "be happy" at the university, effectively discouraging their attendance. This policy was part of a five-step plan devised by university officials to maintain racial homogeneity without attracting federal attention. The approach was deceptive, using codewords and indirect methods to achieve discriminatory ends.