Touring UC Berkeley
through a Decolonized Lens:
Uncovering Native History
Pen, ink, and watercolor drawing of Sather Gate by Michael Kent
Touring UC Berkeley
Introduction: UC Berkeley's History
For over 150 years, UC Berkeley has created a false narrative of its origin story and shielded the public from the reality of the truth. Since its founding in 1868, the university has operated in a manner that actively endorses Native erasure by stealing and occupying the land, collecting and retaining Native artifacts, and defending those who passionately oppose the existence of Native people and their rights, to name a few. Because the institution has successfully re-written its history, too many people are complicit with the erasure of Native people and their history. Similarly, not enough people are aware of the truth behind the foundation and continuing operations of the university. As such, it is imperative we reframe the history of the university to include the history of Native people. By taking a decolonized approach to exploring campus history, we challenge the colonial narrative that UC Berkeley portrays and implement awareness of Native resiliency and culture on campus today. Consequently, we acknowledge the wrongs of the past and pave the way to prevent the continuing erasure of Native people and history in the future. The story that UC Berkeley tells will no longer exclude those who made its existence possible in the first place.
For over 150 years, UC Berkeley has created a false narrative of its origin story and shielded the public from the reality of the truth. Since its founding in 1868, the university has operated in a manner that actively endorses Native erasure by stealing and occupying the land, collecting and retaining Native artifacts, and defending those who passionately oppose the existence of Native people and their rights, to name a few. Because the institution has successfully re-written its history, too many people are complicit with the erasure of Native people and their history. Similarly, not enough people are aware of the truth behind the foundation and continuing operations of the university. As such, it is imperative we reframe the history of the university to include the history of Native people. By taking a decolonized approach to exploring campus history, we challenge the colonial narrative that UC Berkeley portrays and implement awareness of Native resiliency and culture on campus today. Consequently, we acknowledge the wrongs of the past and pave the way to prevent the continuing erasure of Native people and history in the future. The story that UC Berkeley tells will no longer exclude those who made its existence possible in the first place.
This website is intended to serve as a conduit that connects UC Berkeley staff and students to the reality of the racial and colonial foundations of the university. The information on this website is by no means exhaustive. There are so many things on the UC Berkeley campus that are rooted in the erasure of Native people. We as members of the UC Berkeley community have the responsibility to continue seeking the truth. Even though all of the information on this website comes from previously published materials, it is evident that only a select amount of people are aware of the existence of this research. As such, this website will act as a place to convey this imperative information to the public more easily.
*None of this research is my own. Please see the citations for more information about access to the original source.*
The information on this website may come as a shock to some people. UC Berkeley has re-written its history to exclude many horrible things from its past. This is one of the reasons few people understand the reality of its foundation.
*None of this research is my own. Please see the citations for more information about access to the original source.*
The information on this website may come as a shock to some people. UC Berkeley has re-written its history to exclude many horrible things from its past. This is one of the reasons few people understand the reality of its foundation.
