Afternoon snack: Little known black history facts

Joseph McNeil
David Richmond
Franklin McCain
Ezell Blair, Jr.

Do those 4 names mean anything to you? Do they sound familiar?
How about after you look at the photo??

50 years ago today those four gentlemen, all freshman at North Carolina A & T in Greensboro, North Carolina, refused to leave a lunch counter at a downtown Woolworth's department store after being denied service because of their race in accordance with local custom and law.

The bold acts of "the Greensboro four" inspired thousands of southern students to stage similar sit-ins at Woolworth's and at other places that enforced racist local laws. Within days, several hundred students from the area's black colleges and high schools were sitting-in at Woolworth's, and within weeks, African American students across the South were sitting-in at segregated facilities. By the end of the year, more than fifty thousand students, mostly African American and mostly in the South, had taken part in the sit-ins.

The Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), founded by Miss Ella Baker, came into being as a direct result of the sit-ins. According to Baker, the students were "seeking to rid America of the scourge of racial segregation and discrimination -- not only at lunch counters, but in every aspect of life."

The four young men were essentially risking their lives because 50 years ago African Americans were murdered for similar acts. To call these young men brave would be an understatement. I for one am inspired by and thankful for their efforts. Because of their courage, I can now sit at the lunch counter and my biggest worry is whether I'll get quality customer service.

The Greensboro four are prime examples of what young people can do when they put their minds to it. We can make a difference and inspire others to do the same.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hasan-kwame-jeffries/the-sit-ins-remembered-a_b_444119.html