By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Dr. Michal Eric Dyson delivered the eulogy at the memorial service for Dr. Nathan Hare held at San Francisco’s historic Third Baptist Church last month.

Hare, the founder of the publication “Black Scholar: A Journal of Black Studies and Research,” and recognized as the “Father of Black Studies,” passed away on June 10 at the age of 91.

Dyson is a professor at Vanderbilt University, an author, ordained minister, and radio host.

“Dr. Hare was part of the documentation of the vicious onslaught against a vulnerable but viable Black ego, Black mindset, and Black intellectual formation,” Dyson said. “He was serious about using words to defend vulnerable Black people.”

After leaving Howard University in 1967, Hare became the Black Studies program coordinator at San Francisco State College (now San Francisco State University).

When the interim president of the college threatened to shut down the program, Hare teamed with the faculty and students to protest the action. During that effort, they clashed with San Francisco police and Hare was later fired.

Two years later, with the release of “The Black Scholar,” Hare’s research rose to become a tool for the Black Power movement on and off college campuses. Hare received a lifetime achievement honor from the American Book Awards in 2019.

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