The SGWU computer riot: an untold story

People are talking again about the Sir George Williams computer riot fifty years ago, and this piece claims the real problem – one professor’s racist attitudes – was never properly aired out, and the man went on teaching.

A new play at Concordia addresses the incident, although the director is mistaken in thinking the protest has been forgotten. I may have mentioned it before, but the riot had an effect on my life too. My parents took from it the notion that university is a dangerous and radical place – an idea already in the air after war protests in the U.S., but brought closer to home by this incident. Later, they refused to help me go to university and the Sir George riot was a big part of their reasoning. I wonder how many others here had a similar experience.