Nathan Hare, a prominent sociologist and advocate for Black studies, passed away at 91 in San Francisco. Born to Oklahoma sharecroppers and educated in segregated schools, Hare played a key role in establishing the first Black studies program in the U.S. at San Francisco State University after leading a five-month strike in 1968-69. He co-founded The Black Scholar journal and coined the term “ethnic studies” to emphasize the interdisciplinary study of the Black experience, challenging the term “minority studies.” His efforts clashed with establishment administrations and Marxists alike, leaving a lasting impact on academia and civil rights.
