My thoughts...
The Greensboro sit-ins that took place on February 1st, 1960 paved the way for the huge student protest movement of the 1960’s (Tyner, 2010). The sit-ins in Greensboro and all over the southern Unites States lasted for only six months, but changed America forever. It was because of the courage of the “Greensboro four” that civil rights movements all over the southern United States occurred. It was also the first time that people were taking action in a non-violent way, which was such an eye opener for most people. Not only did the “Greensboro four” have the support of most colored people, but they also gained support from white people. Many white people even joined them during the mass protesting. To me this was a huge statement. It was no longer about being black or white, it was about being Americans and coming together to fight for what is right. Equality was something that should be available to all people, no matter their race. It is important to know that the Greensboro sit-ins helped shape our rights as Americans. The sit-ins played a huge role in the world that we now live in today. There are no longer segregated schools or bathrooms, and this is due to the civil rights movements that started in 1960. Even though racism still exists in our society, African Americans now have the same rights as all other Americans, which is how it should be. I am originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, and I think it is important for people to know the history of where they are from. This is what led me to research further about this topic. I think it is also important as Americans to know the struggles of our people’s history, so that we can appreciate how far we have moved towards a world of equality since past years. As I think back to what I said earlier about courage, it is safe to say that we need more people like the Greensboro Four. People need to take a stand and fight for what they believe in. I think this is why America has some of the problems it has today. There are not enough people standing up for what they think is right. Hopefully after visiting this digital museum, you will understand that standing up for something can go along ways. I think it is safe to say that Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, David Richmond, and Ezell Blair Jr. never guessed that the day they walked into Woolworth’s they would change Greensboro, and the world, forever.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensboro_sit-ins
mcneil_interview.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1845 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
http://www.sitins.com/multimedia.shtml#mcneil
http://thevimh.blogspot.com/2010/01/greensboro-sit-ins-left-mark-on-nation.html