History Made Simple
To you the first of February is just another winter day; to others its a reminder that Valentine's Day is approaching, but to the city of Greensboro and the community at North Carolina A&T State University, February One was a defining moment that drastically changed the outlook on life.
On February 1, 1960, four freshmen A&T students, David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr (Jibreel Khazan), and Joeseph McNeil, decided to do something that's never been done. They decided to go down to Woolworth's Diner for a bite to eat. [For some background, Woolworth's Diner was an all white diner.] So, the owner did not want to serve the young men in his diner so he told them to retrieve their meals from the back door. As a result, Richmond, McCain, Blair, and McNeil thought that living as a second class citizen was not acceptable so they decided to start a non violent protest to gain equality. The action these four men took was very simple, a sit-in.
In this era of the Civil Rights Movement, the A&T four did not see sudden success. They came back to Woolworth's weeks upon end, but all they wanted was social equality. The store owner thought that if he ignored them long enought, the boys would just give up, but that did not happen. Instead, the sit-in started growing in number and gaining tons of media publicity because social inequality was a national issue. The sit-in grew from just four A&T students to students from Bennett College, what is now UNC Greensboro, and citizens of the community. The actions that Richmond, McCain, Blair, and McNeil took sparked a movement in the south where students and other people in communities were sitting in public entities demanding social equality.
What these four freshmen students started on February 1, 1960 changed how African-Americans live America. I believe this action also paved the way for other races to have equality in America. The courage and audacity of these men speaks volumes about their maturity; to be freshmen students and have the desire to change the world is awesome and that is pride, Aggie Pride.
These men helped resurrect the Civil Right Movement spearheaded by Martin Luther King, Jr that was on a decline. However, with the efforts of Richmond, McCain, Blair, McNeil, and the community around them, the Civil Rights Movement took off and the rest is history. So now you know, February One should always be in your heart because what these men did not just affect them, but you also. The A&T Four will not only last for eternity, but it will inspire others to be great. The moral of this powerful story is that, at any age, you can make a change. The change could be in the nation, community, or in someone's life. So, lend a helping hand because no one knows the effect it could have.
I take it as an honor to have met the A&T Four. I met them last year during the 52nd Anniversary of the Sit-in and will be seeing them again, today, February 1, 2013 for the 53rd Anniversary. It is a privilege to even walk the same campus as these great men. I just hope someday I can leave my impact on this world for the better.
AGGIE PRIDE!!!
If you get the chance, come down to North Carolina A&T State University and experience the history.