Greensboro has 8 coffee-cup sculptures to honor the Greensboro Sit-ins. The art project was a collaborative effort between The United Arts Council, The International Civil Rights Center and Museum, and Action Greensboro's synerG Group. Each sculpture has a quote that demonstrates the courage of the four men who sat at the Woolworth lunch counter in 1960, starting the sit in's.
The cup photographed above, called 'Pearl of Equality' by Timothy Daniel, is located on Hamburger Square near Natty Greene's. You can enlarge the photo to read the Margaret Mead quote. We want to share Daniel's quote about the meaning behind his sculpture. "The idea of the sharp, stony oyster guarding its precious treasure came to me almost immediately to symbolize the whole 'Eye on the Prize' feeling on the civil rights struggle. The oyster's shell would represent the old status quo, and the flesh and pearl would represent the wonderful bounty awaiting those persistent enough to seek it."
Here is a map for a walking tour of all the cups. It is also the reference for the quote. Pearl of Equality is #3 on the walking tour. The photo was taken last spring, so, if you head down to see it, the trees are not yet budding!
I have such respect and admiration for the young people who were on the front lines of the civil rights movement. What courage and fortitude they had.
Posted by: Oakland Daily Photo | Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 11:38 PM