February One is a photograph by Melissa Bittinger which was uploaded on July 23rd, 2014.
February One
February 1st, 1960...The date of one of the defining moments for racial equality and the civil rights movement in our country. The place, F.W... more
Title
February One
Artist
Melissa Bittinger
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Photography, Photographic Art
Description
February 1st, 1960...The date of one of the defining moments for racial equality and the civil rights movement in our country. The place, F.W Woolworth's department store downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. Inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King..."We must meet violence with nonviolence." and following his principle of meeting hate with love to bring about change, four young black men, students from the local A&T University, having no idea for sure what would happen, began a non-violent protest by sitting down at the WHITE'S ONLY lunch counter and ordering a doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side.
They did this day after day and each day more and more supporters joined them including white and black students from neighboring colleges. All the students demonstrated in shifts so no classes would be missed. There was an outpouring of love and support for their efforts. There was also some violence and hatred. Their act inspired a nation. The world was watching, listening and participating. Sit-ins and demonstrations happened all over the country. By July, they were finally served. The summer of 1960 brought about the integration of restaurants and lunch counters throughout thirty-three southern cities. One year later, 126 cities more did the same.
Something you may not know, this was not the first time the strategy of a peaceful sit-in had been used to bring attention to the civil rights movement. The first time was in 1939. Then again in the 40's...and again in the 50's. This time it was 1960, and this time the message seemed to be getting through. Ultimately the sacrifices of all who helped lead the way and those who supported the civil rights movement were not in vain. Desegregation became a reality and not a just a dream.
I would encourage anyone reading this to find out more as I have barely scratched the surface in this brief description.
I captured this image of the building on the side street named February One Place. The front of the building is on South Elm Street and is the entrance to the International Civil Rights Center & Museum which opened 50 years to the day of the sit-in movement. The building was built in 1929 for Woolworth's and characteristic of other Greensboro downtown buildings combines Art Deco and Classical design elements.
Uploaded
July 23rd, 2014
