Are The Greensboro Four Still Alive? Who Were The Greensboro Four?
by Rajalaxmi
Updated Feb 07, 2023
Are The Greensboro Four Still Alive?
The Greensboro Four, made up of Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan (formerly known as Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, and David Richmond, made history 58 years ago by staging a sit-in protest at a lunch counter in a segregated Woolworth department store in Greensboro, North Carolina. On the anniversary of the protest, McNeil and Khazan were honored at a breakfast at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, their alma mater.
McNeil recalled approaching his classmates on the eve of February 1 and asking for their support in their nonviolent protest against segregation. The Greensboro sit-in sparked a wave of similar protests in other southern cities that summer, leading to the eventual desegregation of the Woolworth store in July of 1960.
A gala put on by the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, called "Bridging the Movements," also celebrated the 58th anniversary of the Greensboro Four. McNeil stressed the importance of not settling for discrimination and honoring those who gave their lives for the Civil Rights Movement. Although the event is celebrated once a year, McNeil believes it is crucial to keep the memory of those who fought for equality alive all year round. Franklin McCain and David Richmond, two other members of the Greensboro Four, passed away in 2014 and 1990 respectively. Ezell Blair Jr and Joseph McNeil are still alive.
Greensboro Four Sit In
The Greensboro Four Sit-In was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, taking place on February 1, 1960, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Four African American college students, Ezell Blair Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond, staged a peaceful protest by sitting at a whites-only lunch counter at a Woolworth's store. The act of civil disobedience sparked a wave of similar protests across the South and helped to bring national attention to the issue of segregation in public spaces.
Despite facing hostility and discrimination, the Greensboro Four remained steadfast in their commitment to nonviolence. Their bravery and determination helped to inspire a generation of activists and played a crucial role in the eventual passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned segregation in public accommodations.
Today, the Greensboro Four are remembered as heroes of the Civil Rights Movement and their actions continue to inspire people around the world to fight for justice and equality. The site of the Greensboro sit-in has been designated as a National Historic Landmark, serving as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for racial justice in America.
Who Were The Greensboro Four?
On February 1, 1960, four students from North Carolina A&T State University made history by sitting down at a lunch counter in Greensboro where African Americans were not allowed to sit. Franklin McCain, Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond took a stand against segregation laws that prevented African Americans from entering certain public places. They chose to stage a sit-in at Woolworth's, a department store with an eating area where African Americans were only allowed to stand at a snack bar.
The night before the sit-in, the students were nervous and barely slept, knowing their actions could make some white people angry. Despite the fear, they were determined to stand up for their rights and the rights of all African Americans.
The next day, they sat down at the lunch counter and placed their orders, even though they were told that blacks were not served there. When they refused to leave, the store manager called the police, who could do nothing as long as they remained peaceful. The store closed early and the students left, but not before recruiting other students to join them in future sit-ins.
The peaceful protests soon spread to other states in the South and even to the North, as African Americans began picketing Woolworths and other stores with segregated lunch counters. Six months after the sit-in began, Woolworths finally began serving African Americans at its lunch counter on July 25, 1960.
The Greensboro Four became famous for fighting discrimination and their courage, principles, and persistence have made them legends in North Carolina history. Their actions sparked a movement that brought about significant change and paved the way for future civil rights efforts.
The Greensboro Four Net Worth
On February 1, 1960, four young African American activists, Franklin McCain, Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond, planned to take a stand against segregation. They were students at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and wanted to protest the segregation laws that prohibited African Americans from entering certain public places.
Their plan was to stage a sit-in at a lunch counter in a segregated Woolworth department store in Greensboro. African Americans were allowed to shop in the store and eat at a stand-up snack bar, but they were not allowed to sit at the lunch counter. The Greensboro Four hoped that by sitting at the counter and placing their orders, they could bring attention to the unjust laws and spark a movement for change.
The students knew that their actions would likely spark some backlash, but they were determined to stand up for their rights and the rights of all African Americans. The next day, they went to Woolworth's, sat down at the lunch counter, and placed their orders, only to be told by the waitress that they were not served there. Despite being asked to leave by the store manager and being faced with the possibility of arrest, they remained peaceful and quiet in their seats.
Their actions inspired others to join the movement, and soon, black students from other colleges and some white students who supported the cause joined the sit-in. Over the next few months, peaceful protests spread to other southern cities, and African Americans began picketing stores with segregated lunch counters across the South and North.
The Greensboro Woolworths finally desegregated in July of 1960, six months after the sit-in began. The Greensboro Four's plan for a peaceful protest sparked a movement that brought about real change and made them legends in North Carolina history.
Are The Greensboro Four Still Alive - FAQs
The Greensboro Four were four African American college students, Franklin McCain, Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond, who staged a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960.
The Greensboro Four staged the sit-in to protest segregation laws that prevented African Americans from accessing certain public places, such as lunch counters.
The Greensboro sit-in took place on February 1, 1960.
The Greensboro sit-in took place at a lunch counter in a Woolworth department store in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Greensboro sit-in sparked a movement that spread to other southern cities and eventually led to the desegregation of the Greensboro Woolworth in July of 1960.