The "Pig Knife" Controversy

The first months of 1968 were relatively peaceful at FSU, but on May 8, an issue of censorship propelled the New Left Movement at Florida State into action. University President John Champion and Student Publications Advisor Billy Boyles refused to allow The Legend, a student literary magazine, to publish a controversial short story. Authored by a student, "The Pig Knife" contained several vulgar words that President Champion did not want in the magazine, even though the majority of the nine-member Board of Student Publications had twice already approved the story for publication. This decision came as a shock, as many students and faculty saw it as suppression of artistic expression.

Early the next day, about 250 to 300 students gathered in front of Westcott to protest the censorship. Surprisingly few students knew anything about “The Pig Knife,” not even its author, but they understood the protest as an attempt to gain autonomy within the university. In their 24-hour vigil, students and faculty adopted a non-violent policy and sustained an air of maturity and professionalism. After about a week of protest however, President Champion announced that the administration would not allow the story to grace the pages of an official university publication.

A Legend

The cover of the 1968 issue of A Legend which sparked controversy with its publication of "The Pig Knife," a short story that contained certain vulgar four-letter words that President Champion believed to be inappropriate and too insensitive for the campus community. Although the student-run literary magazine initially published the story under the approval of the Board of Student Publications, and despite continued support of the story’s artistic expression, President Champion ultimately denied further dissemination of the material.

Anti-Censorship Flyer

This statement by members of the Grassroots Movement expresses the frustration felt by many students at continued administrative interference. President Champion’s refusal to publish “The Pig Knife” came as the proverbial last straw in a succession of censorships in student publications. It recounts earlier events and lists the six demands that students issued to the university. Flyers such as this, most likely posted on bulletin boards around campus, acted as progress reports while protesters maintained the vigil outside Westcott.

The Censorship Crisis in the Tally-Ho

A two-page spread from the 1968 Tally-Ho contains several photographs of students as they protest the censorship of The Legend. The pictures show how peaceful the weeklong vigil was, as several students are shown talking with friends or sitting quietly by themselves. Note the individuals wearing the armband and the sticker as symbols of the protest.

The lyrics on this page are from Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin,” marking the “Pig Knife” Controversy as one of the most transformative moments in FSU’s history.

Bob Dylan was one of the most popular and influential musicians in the sixties, and he wrote several songs that became anthems for student unrest. Editors of the 1968 Tally-Ho printed the lyrics to “The Times They Are A-Changin’” alongside several photographs of students protesting censorship. The song was particularly relevant at the time because FSU was undergoing certain and irrevocable change.

Listen to the song and imagine yourself within a rapidly changing society, and consider how FSU students may have identified with the lyrics during the censorship crisis.

"Support Freedom of Expression" Sticker

As shown in the photographs from the Tally-Ho, some students wore this sticker to demonstrate solidarity in their protest even when not attending the vigil outside Westcott. Another symbol was a white armband that read “Anti-Censorship.” These tokens of support helped to unify those students who opposed what they saw as a misuse of administrative power.

"The Word from Westcott Lawn"

Members of the Grassroots Movement posted this “Word from Westcott Lawn” shortly after President Champion’s resignation announcement and the ensuing Pro-Champion Rally, which greatly overshadowed the remnants of the anti-censorship protest. This bulletin reveals the concerns of many students as the censorship controversy reached its climax, implying potential prejudice among supporters of Champion against those associated with the Grassroots Movement and of the Board of Regents’ continued control over the administration.

"The Kneadle"

In the midst of the censorship controversy, students published The Kneadle, an underground newspaper that focused on student activism. Within these pages are articles relating to the censorship vigil, efforts of the Tallahassee black community, and other relevant issues. It is clear from the content that the publishers intended to distribute the newspaper on a regular basis, but this issue is the only one ever printed.

"Smoke Signals: 'Ode to the Four Letter Word"

Smoke Signals was a humor magazine that most often featured satirical content. In this particular issue, the first after a short hiatus due to earlier censorship, contained an especially snarky poem. “Ode to the Four Letter Word” is a response to the censorship of “The Pig Knife,” which President Champion prohibited because it contained vulgar four letter words. The poem is caustic yet eloquent, and many students may have appreciated the bit of humor in the midst of controversy and upheaval.

"John Champion"

John Champion began his presidency in 1965. During the “Pig Knife” controversy, faculty and staff attacked him for abusing his power and many members of administration resigned amid the turmoil. When he submitted his own resignation in May, supporters from throughout the state urged him to reconsider and a group of students, who far outnumbered those still upset about the censorship, held a Pro-Champion Rally. Champion withdrew his resignation a few days later, but the stress of the job continued to affect his health.

"The Whole Damn University Is Falling Apart!"

This excerpt from the 1969 Tally-Ho is a reflection of the turbulence and upset caused by the censorship, which negatively affected the administration as much as it did the students. The pages here include two editorials from the Flambeau that suggest a rift between President Champion and the administration, and photographs of several faculty and staff members who resigned. This spread reveals how much turmoil the “Pig Knife” Controversy cause for FSU and is indicative of how much the single event changed the university.