Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Preferred Citation
Biographical / Historical
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Dennis Terry/ National Organization for an American Revolution (N.O.A.R.) Collection
source:
National Organization for an American Revolution
Creator:
Terry, Dennis
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2022.017
Physical Description:
4 boxes
Physical Description:
2.63 Linear Feet
(two record storage boxes; two document cases)
Date (inclusive): 1964-1987; undated
Date (bulk): 1978-1987
Abstract: This collection contains clippings; essays; presentations; speeches; event and workshop flyers; newsletters; fact sheets;
and other material belonging to Dennis Terry, former chair of the Bay Area chapter of the National Organization for an American
Revolution (NOAR). Also included are materials generated by NOAR, and a few of its founding members, James and Grace Lee Boggs
such as correspondence, speeches, leaflets, essays, and committee meeting minutes and notes; and material from when Terry
was a student such as notes and graded coursework.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection except where notated at file-level.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Biographical / Historical
Dennis Terry was born in 1950 in Youngstown, OH. He was the former chair of the Bay Area chapter of National Organization
for an American Revolution (NOAR). Terry attended University of California Berkeley and received a B.A. in political science
in 1975; and took graduate coursework in political science and public administration at San Francisco State from 1975-1976.
From 1970-1981 he held multiple positions as an instructional aide clerk, office clerk, tutor, and library assistant.
James and Grace Lee Boggs were revolutionary socialists who contributed to the founding of National Organization for an American
Revolution (NOAR) circa the late 1970s. NOAR was founded on the idea that there should be a new America due to concerns regarding
the future of the United States and its citizens. This new America would benefit all man/womankind, and placed an emphasis
on the value of mutual respect, responsibility and cooperation in families, communities, and the country. One of their most
popular pamphlets, written primarily by James Boggs entitled "Manifesto for an American Revolutionary Party" expressed NOAR's
vision of a new, self-governing America and a concept of citizenship in which people accept responsibility for making social,
economic, and political deicisions. NOAR also held public forums, organized locals across the country, and published pamphlets
and short statements on contemporary national issues and local concerns.
Sources:
WARD, STEPHEN M.
In Love and Struggle: The Revolutionary Lives of James and Grace Lee Boggs University of North Carolina Press, 2020.
National Organization for an American Revolution [brochure] Box 1, Folder 1
Constitution of the National Organization for an American Revolution, Adopted at the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia
PA, September 24, 1978 Box 1, Folder 1
Scope and Contents
The Dennis Terry/National Organization for an American Revolution (N.O.A.R.) Collection (1964-1987, undated; bulk 1978-1987)
contains four boxes and 2.6 linear feet of memorandums; meeting minutes; flyers; pamphlets; essays; correspondence; clippings;
and other documents collected by Dennis Terry, a former chair of the Bay Area chapter of National Organization for an American
Revolution (NOAR). Series I: NOAR Records contains material about or generated by NOAR including financial documents, guidelines,
material related to committees such as the Central Committee (CC), National Central Committee (NCC), Political Education Committee
(PEC), Propaganda Committee (PPC); material related to NOAR locals such as the Bay Area, Detroit, Milawakee, and Muskegeon
branches; as well as material regarding the Revolutionary Study Group (RSG); Cadre Training School; and James McFadden, Grace
Lee Boggs, and James Boggs correspondence, memorandums, essays, papers, and presentations. Series II: Other Grassroots Organizations
contains event and workshop flyers; leaflets; newsletters; fact sheets; press releases; and other documents related to organizations
that Dennis Terry was most likely affliated with such as New Action Party (NAP), Michigan Committee for Organizing the Unemployed;
United People for Dignity and Change; and other groups. Series III: Subject Files contains clippings; articles; flyers; pamphlets;
and other material regarding topics such as: African Americans; education; family; the Jesse Jackson presidential campaign;
Native Americans; crime and socioeconomic conditions in Oakland, CA.; political movements; racism; religion; South African
apartheid; unemployment; and the women's movement. Series IV: Personal Papers contains papers and final exams authored or
co-authored by Dennis Terry from his political science, economics, sociology, creative writing, African American, and Black
studies coursework; job applications; resumes; notebooks that contain material related to NOAR committees and revolutionary
study group (RSG), essays, and coursework; correspondence; and contact information and resources regarding various political
organizations in the community.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series
- Series I: National Organization for an American Revolution (N.O.A.R), 1964, 1974-1985
- Series II: Other Grassroots Organizations, 1975-1985; undated
- Series III: Subject Files, 1971-1987; circa 1970s-1980s; undated
- Series IV: Personal Papers, 1974-1986; circa 1970s-1980s
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Marxism -- United States
Marxist-Leninist theory
Socialism
Detroit (Mich.)
Political activity
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)
National Organization for an American Revolution