Greensboro 4

In Greensboro, NC, we went to a museum that once was a diner during the 1960's. The most projected historically figures we learned about were the Greensboro 4 and the first non-violent sit in, which were led by college students. Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, Ezell Bair Jr. & David Richmond were four A&T college freshmen who were in the very first nonviolent sit in that happened in Greensboro NC. During their sit in they asked for service and got refused every time, but they stayed for more than an hour until closing time. When they were walking out a photographer took a photo of them. When the photo had surfaced media attention A&T and other universities & colleges started to do the same. Eventually the diner owner allowed colored costumers to be served along with white customers. Although the Greensboro 4, were the most highlighted people in the museum the topic of segregation was heavily expressed as well. 

The tour guide explained although slavery was over and the shackles were off, African-American's shackles remained in their mindset. Although there were signs placing them where to be and where their services were, because of their mindset of having to be bound by the shackles of slavery, they knew where to go with no questions, doubts or any forms of retaliation towards the rules that were in place. Although African-Americans dealt with a lot of hardships through segregation, The Green Book helped many African-Americans find hotels, gas stations and diners where they can rest and eat comfortably without any trouble. After we had viewed those exhibits we learned about the peaceful movements that were organized. In these exhibits we learned about how the church was a powerful influence over how peaceful movements were organized. After church service, meetings were held to train people how to protest peacefully. Through their faith in God as well as songs that were sung by the peaceful protesters, all organized protests were carried out with passion and peacefulness. 

One of the highlighted protests was" Jail No Bail" . This protest involved many freedom riders that were put in jail for protesting. They were asked if they wanted bail and they replied no because their basic needs were provided. Over time more freedom riders had joined the "jail no bail" movement. They jails had gotten very crowded and because of the costly expenses of all of the freedom riders needs that  they caused an economic hardship , therefore relieving all of the freedom riders of their jail sentencing. After we finished that exhibits we had moved on to the many other issues that were fought for and also unsung heroes of the civil rights movement. 

My favorite part was the very last exhibit, it was a wall full of different individuals that fought for issues in the civil rights movement back in the 1960's as well as people from present day. The tour guide pointed out the different spaces that were blank. She told us that those blank spaces were for us because the individuals on the wall had done their part of fighting In the battle for civil rights. She told us that it was now our turn to fight for what we are very passionate about. overall, the message that I got from the museum experience was that if you are passionate about an issue you need to advocate for it and to take pride in what you are doing and although you think that you are alone there are others all around that  believe and will stand behind you no matter what the stakes are because the littlest steps done count and can make a greater impact on the world. Thanks Greensboro, NC for teaching me that within advocacy and faith holds power. Now we're off to Alabama to learn more!!!!!

Jermanna Hamilton,

10th grade, City College