Archives Gold #14: 50 Objects for UMBC's 50th

Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:13:05 -0500
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Special Collections continues our archival project Archives Gold: 50 Objects for UMBC's 50th, a special series showcasing 50 different objects that tell the story of UMBC. This week we present UMBC's first literary magazine, Dialogue.

Dialogue, Volume 1, Number 1, Winter 1967. UPUB E3- 016. University Publications, University Archives, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD)

UMBC's first literary magazine, Dialogue, was created in 1967 and lasted for only two short years. Early issues of the magazine contained short poems and stories. However, a poem included and written by editor of Dialogue, Glenn Blanchard, in the second edition of the magazine stirred up controversy at UMBC. His poem alluded to racial tensions and used explicit language, upsetting many members of the UMBC community. Chancellor Albin O. Kuhn defended the journal and students' right to free speech, but after a controversy ensued once again (over the display of nude photographs within the Fall 1968 edition of Dialogue), the magazine fell apart and was ordered by Kuhn to officially stop its production.

Learn More:

-History of UMBC Research Guide

-University Archives Webpage

-Article in the UMBC Magazine on Dialogue's History

-Dialogue (Winter 1967) Which Contains Controversial "A Dance" Poem

-Dialogue (Fall 1968) Which Displays Controversial Nude Photographs

-Bartleby, the Literary Journal that Replaced Dialogue in 1972