Steve Kropper collection on Florynce Kennedy, 1976, 2021

Collection consists of a statement by Steve Kropper describing his relationship with Flo Kennedy; an audiocassette recording of the speech Kennedy gave at St. Lawrence University; digital versions of the statement and audiocassette; and digital photographs of Kennedy alone and with Kropper. The beginning of Kennedy's speech is not recorded but the tape apparently begins early in her remarks. She encourages the audience to join her in singing political songs parodying traditional American songs and Christmas carols: these include songs beginning "My country 'tis of thee/Land of hypocrisy" and "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the flame of women's rage." Kennedy discusses the responsibility of her audience (apparently students) to be politically and culturally aware, particularly the need to understand the politics of oppression, as well as their responsibility to improve their university. She notes the existence of four kinds of oppression: personal, private, public, and political, and the ways in which they intersect. She also comments on her admiration for Idi Amin as the most revolutionary Black African leader, while also wishing he were "better"; observes that the students at St. Lawrence cannot be properly educated at a university without a women's studies department; notes her expectation of dying in the next few years; and also notes the interest of some of the audience in seeing a screening of the Alfred Hitchcock film Frenzy after her talk. The recording concludes with a question and answer session.