February 1st, 1960, sixty one years ago, is the day the Sit-In Movement began at the lunch counter at Woolworth on South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. Initially, four men started these Sit Ins by refusing to get up from the lunch counter until they were served a cup of coffee. They are featured above. David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Jabreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil were freshmen at North Carolina A&T during the Sit-Ins. To remember the movement, in 2002, this sculpture, by Jim Barnhill, was erected on the campus of NC A&T, in front of the Dudley Memorial Building. Barnhill is an art professor at NC A & T. People not from Greensboro don't always realize the extent of this city's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Having so many institutions of higher education in Greensboro, including two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), NC A&T and Bennett College, contribute to this involvement.
Related to civil rights and social justice, so much has happened nationally and in Greensboro just since February One last year. There have been heinous and offensive acts committed against people of color, and protests and reactions. Lets all spend the year doing what we can to make sure everyone is treated fairly and with dignity. Let's check back on February One, 2022, and assess how the year has been. As we open African American History month, let us learn more about the above four men, and also people of color in the Greensboro community today who are making a difference. Happy Monday! Happy February One!
An impressive statue.
Posted by: William Kendall | Monday, February 01, 2021 at 06:24 AM