This Day in Black History

[ninamsi]

 

On Feb. 1, 1960, Ezell A. Blair Jr., Franklin E. McCain, Joseph A. Mc

This Day in Black History: Feb. 1, 1960

The Greensboro Four protest segregation at Woolworth's lunch counter.

By Britt Middleton

Posted: 02/01/2012 08:19 AM ESTNeil, and David L. Richmond staged a sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter, in Greensboro, N.C. The four African-American college students, later known as the Greensboro Four, attempted to order coffee at the "whites only" lunch counter but were refused service. They continued to return to the store and stage peaceful sit-ins to protest segregation, and soon they were joined by hundreds of other Black colleges students. The initial Greensboro protests eventually spurred sit-ins of stores with segregated lunch counters in other Southern cities. In reaction to public support of the sit-ins, the entire Woolworth's chain finally moved to desegregate it in July 1960.

Also on this day in 1902 author, activist and poet Langston Hughes, who was one of the best-known talents during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, was born in Joplin, Mo.

[ablackdolphin]

As I've become older, it saddens me when I realize that segregation and slavery really weren't all that long ago. 

Growing up it always seemed like it happened so long ago and so far away (also because I was in MN and the South seemed so far away).

But now when I realize that my parents were alive in the 60's and with me living in GA now makes me realize why we still to this day have problems.

There is still a lot of racial tension in GA today.  I experienced some in Houston as well but it's worse here. It's all so sad.

I can't imagine if you had to hear first hand stories of how your parents or grandparents were mistreated and abused, it would break your heart. 

I still can't believe that we as a human race allowed this kind of stuff to happen.  So sad.

Amazing that there were those who were willing to risk their lives (and probably families) in order to make change happen.  True angels!

[ninamsi]

 

My maternal grandfather was run out of GA by the Klu Klux Klan.  I have heard many stories about Jim Crow laws and other stories.  The sad part is that many young black men and women do not understand how blessed they are or appreciate the sacrifices that were made for them.

Quoting ablackdolphin:

As I've become older, it saddens me when I realize that segregation and slavery really weren't all that long ago. 

Growing up it always seemed like it happened so long ago and so far away (also because I was in MN and the South seemed so far away).

But now when I realize that my parents were alive in the 60's and with me living in GA now makes me realize why we still to this day have problems.

There is still a lot of racial tension in GA today.  I experienced some in Houston as well but it's worse here. It's all so sad.

I can't imagine if you had to hear first hand stories of how your parents or grandparents were mistreated and abused, it would break your heart. 

I still can't believe that we as a human race allowed this kind of stuff to happen.  So sad.

Amazing that there were those who were willing to risk their lives (and probably families) in order to make change happen.  True angels!

 

[QueenBof6]

This part of American history saddens me. :-(. All the ignorance and hate...

[ninamsi]

I swear to the Lord
I still can't see
Why Democracy means
Everybody but me.
~Langston Hughes