How would it feel to make a real change in the world?
This is a question that I have asked myself all weekend leading up to today: February One. Fifty years ago today four brave young men stood up for what the believed in and what was right “ EQUALITY”. Fifty years ago today Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond walked into Woolworth’s in downtown Greensboro North Carolina and took a seat at the lunch counter to be served as equals to the surrounding white customers in this once small town. I have heard this story my entire life, I have seen the name on the street in downtown Greensboro recognizing this accomplishment, but it is just recently that I have come to realize how proud I am that this happened in my hometown. Greensboro is in a celebratory state marking this 50 year anniversary of the historic event. The Civl Rights Museum is opening it’s doors and political figures from all over the country are joining in to celebrate at the location where the race barrier was broken down. National papers are here, there is a wonderful story on the event in this month’s Smithsonian magazine. Owen Edwards of the Smithsonian does a wonderful job of retelling the story of the Woolworth’s sit-in as well as interviews from the four North Carolina A&T students who created this social awareness. The story grew national attention through the wonderful photography of Jack Moebes who was a photographer for the Greensboro News and Record, and was also one of Mastercolor Labs’ first customers. The following photograph became the face of the sit-in:
We have all learned about wonderful acts of bravery that have shaped our nation, but I am very proud to know that I share the community where these four black men took it upon themselves to show the rest of our country that all men were created equal, and all deserved the same rights. I’m confident that I will never have the courage to act on and make a change as historic as the cilvil rights movements, but I know I am proud to be part of the community that shared this with the world.