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Curated highlights from Civil Rights Greensboro

A collection of items from the Clarence Harris Papers that were highlighted as part of the Civil Rights Greensboro exhibit. These items are primarily scrapbook items that have additional descriptive and contextual detail as part of their metadate. All these items are also included in their respective folders or scrapbooks within the "main" collection.

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20 years ago
This February 1, 1980 Greensboro Daily News editorial discusses the Greensboro Woolworth store sit-ins on their twentieth anniversary. The author reflects that "it is hard to believe now how absurd and pervasive and degrading the various instruments of segregation were," and discusses the initial four sit-in participants—Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond—and their role in the civil rights movement. The author claims that continued persistence for civil rights is needed in order to truly reach equality among races. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook about the twentieth anniversary of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the sit-ins.
30 years later, Woolworth sit-ins to be remembered
This December 28, 1989 article by Jim Schlosser was published in the Greensboro News & Record, and reports on upcoming events commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the sit-ins at the Woolworth store in Greensboro. The article includes comments from North Carolina A&T University student David Richmond, lunch counter staff Ima Evans and Geneva Tisdale, Chamber of Commerce leader Hal Sieber, and city councilman Ed Zane. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins.
4 Lonely Blacks Woke A Nation: Decade Of Protest Began Here
In this January 30, 1970 Greensboro Record article, Jo Spivey recalls the February 1, 1960 sit-in at the Greensboro Woolworth store, orchestrated by North Carolina A&T State University students David Richmond, Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, and Ezell Blair Jr. (now Jibreel Khazan). Spivey interviews Richmond for the article, who says he did not expect their actions to set off protests across the South and that it was simply the right place and right time in Greensboro. He goes on to recall the events of that day, saying they were prepared to be arrested. Richmond believes that integration still hasn't been achieved in many areas, and because of that there will be more violence in the seventies, though he does not support it. The article concludes with a discussion of Richmond's current community involvement, including working with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce's community unity groups. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins.
A&T quartet re-enacts sit-ins at Woolworth's
This article by Jim Schlosser appeared in the February 2, 1990 Greensboro News & Record, and discusses a memorial celebration and reenactment held on February 1, 1990, the thirtieth anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins. All four original participants—Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Brown Jr.), Franklin McCain, and David Richmond—participated in the event, which included speeches, the unveiling of a plaque in front of the Woolworth store where the sit-ins occurred, and a civil rights forum at Bennett College. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins.
Anger, Shock, Hopelessness, Fear Expressed; Some Distrust Justice
This November 19, 1980 Greensboro Daily News article reports on the community reaction to the not guilty verdict in the Klan/Nazis trial regarding the murders of five Communist Workers Party members at the Death to the Klan march in Greensboro, North Carolina, on November 3, 1979. Residents of Morningside Homes—the housing development where the violence occurred—expressed shock and anger over the verdict and a feeling of hopelessness regarding the judicial system and the Ku Klux Klan. At nearby North Carolina A&T State University, students expressed outrage over the outcome, while the National Anti-Klan Network in downtown Greensboro called for further investigation into the crimes. Meanwhile, in Raleigh, Nazi Party Leader Harold Covington applauded the verdict and announced his plans to "create a 'Carolina Free State' in the Carolinas, free of non-white people, a home for racists." He said his organization planned to work peacefully, but would defend themselves if attacked. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook about the twentieth anniversary of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the sit-ins.
Area leaders to receive award at society banquet
This notice of a 1984 awards banquet where twenty-three individuals were to be recognized for having fostered the "justice, peace, equality, understanding and love which was the spirit of the 1960 sit-ins," was published in the Greensboro News & Record on January 29, 1984. The banquet was organized by the February One Society, a non-profit organization that originally formed in 1979 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the February 1, 1960 Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins by four black North Carolina A&T College students. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the sit-ins.
Black vote proved key in commissioners race
This Novemebr 10, 1984 articled published in the Greensboro News & Record credits black voters in Greensboro and High Point with the election of two Democratic candidates in the 1984 Guilford County Board of Commissioners race. Democrats J. Douglas Galyon and Paul Gibson II were victorious in their bids for election, and the article states "the importance of the black vote for the two Democrats is obvious." This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins that spawned lunch counter sit-ins across the South and rejuvenated the civil rights movement.
Blacks, whites eat lunch - Big deal
This January 31, 1980 Greensboro Daily News editorial by Jim Schlosser claims that segregation at lunch counters seems absurd in hindsight. Schlosser writes that at the local Woolworth store—where four North Carolina A&T State University students began sit-ins in protest of segregation—blacks and whites work and dine together without issue. On the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the 1960 sit-ins, Schloser discusses the protests with two patrons of the lunch counter, neither of whom are old enough to remember segregation. Store manager Andy Moye says he is part of an interracial committee organizing events to commemorate the 1960 sit-ins, and recalls Woolworth's segregation policy during the sixties, when he worked at a store in Statesville, North Carolina. Schlosser concluded the article with a discussion of Greensboro's racial policies in the early-twentieth century. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook about the twentieth anniversary of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the sit-ins.
Blind Strike May Drag On
In this Greensboro Daily News article, W.K. Lee Jr. reports on a strike by employees at the Industries of the Blind in Greensboro. Lee notes that only two of the forty-three strikers are white, and says many black leaders feel "inaction on the strike will widen the chasm between blacks and whites in Greensboro." He also notes that the Industries management denies race as an issue, and states that there has been no direct contact between management and strikers. The workers organization, Concerned Workers for Industries of the Blind, claims they have been fighting for better working conditions and benefits for years. Many leaders claim they had looked into the situation and found no discrimination. Lee writes that a walk through the plant reveals many of the workers' safety complaints to be valid, but one manager says they are "within the limits required by the health department." Mentioned in the article are Rev. Julius Douglas, Thomas Bailey, Jack Elam, Louis Brooks, and Rev. George Gay. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook on race relations by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960s sit-ins that spawned lunch counter sit-ins across the South and rejuvenated the civil rights movement.
Civil Rights: Forward and Onward
In this February 2, 1980 Greensboro Daily News article, Kenneth Campbell discusses the opinions of Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr.), Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, and David Richmond on the current state of civil rights. Richmond believes new approaches to fighting for equality are needed. William Thomas, active during the 1963 civil rights demonstrations in Greensboro, is quoted as saying "black people do not have to be out in the streets giving up their bodies to get their rights." Thomas argues that because certain rights were gained in the sixties, blacks can now work within the system of government to make further gains. Dr. Samuel Proctor, former president of North Carolina A&T State University, is quoted as saying "we must make it indelible in this country that we believe in the dignity and worth of everybody." This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook about the twentieth anniversary of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the sit-ins. Kenneth Campbell was a staff writer for the Greensboro Daily News in 1980.
Civil rights sloganeering
Washington Post columnist Edwin M. Yoder Jr. explores the effectiveness of civil rights laws and the struggle between those who wish to strive toward a literal colorblind society and those who wish to be conscious of and accommodating to those groups that had been traditionally disadvantaged. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins that spawned lunch counter sit-ins across the South and rejuvenated the civil rights movement. Along with the article are Harris" handwritten notes in response to this article that claim the Greensboro Woolworth store employed more blacks than the city's ratio of blacks to white and that Woolworth employed solely on the basis of merit.
College racism targeted
This article by Donald W. Patterson appeared in the February 23, 1990 Greensboro News & Record and reports on an upcoming investigation of racism within North Carolina schools and colleges. Citing several recent incidents, including a walkout at Page High School in Greensboro over remarks published in the school newspaper, the N.C. Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights planned to review race relations in schools statewide. Educators noted that tolerance and racial attitudes were not changing as they had in recent decades. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook on race relations in Greensboro by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins.
Colleges celebrate black history
These announcements of Black History Month events and speaking engagements sponsored by colleges in Greensboro in 1984 were published in the Greensboro Daily News on January 30, 1984. The highlighted event was a collaborative effort by most of the area colleges and universities to host civil rights leader Julian Bond at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) campus. Other featured speakers were author and feminist Sonia Sanchez, New York City-based minister Samuel D. Proctor, and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) founder Ralph David Abernathy. Also included is a write up of the February One Society's annual event honoring selected people who promote, "the causes of unity and justice in Greensboro." The February One Society was a non-profit originally formed in Greensboro in 1979 with the goal of commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the February 1, 1960 Woolworth's sit-ins. These items were clipped and saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins.
Comments on William A. Chafe's book pertaining particularly to chapter three, "The Sit-Ins Begin"
In this seven-page document, Clarence "Curly" Harris comments on historian William Chafe's book Civilities and Civil Rights. Harris, who was manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the sit-ins, provides extensive footnotes refuting factual details and many of Chafe's assertions presented in the chapter covering the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins. Harris takes issue especially as to how he and the F.W. Woolworth Co. are represented in the book, as well as with the specific timing of certain events. He notes how much Woolworth's lost due to protests around the country and concludes that the sit-ins were responsible for destroying many downtown business districts throughout the South.
Daring act by four teenagers tumbles racial barriers
Written twenty five years after the Greensboro sit-ins at Woolworth's, this article was published in the Greensboro News & Record and examines the event itself, as well as the effect it had on the Greensboro community at large. Schlosser describes an acceptance of segregation at the time largely because it was the traditional practice and had not been challenged, so many thought it was appropriate. In addition to statements from the sit-in participants, the piece also includes statements from white entrepreneur, Ralph Johns, who owned a store downtown that welcomed black customers. Johns takes credit for inspiring the sit-in participants. Also quoted is former police officer E.R. Wynn, who was involved in securing Woolworth's after the demonstrations started. Ed Zane, a former Greensboro city councilman who served as a mediator between the store and the students, and Geneva Tisdale, who worked at Woolworth's at the time of the sit-ins, are also quoted. This article was saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins. Also included is Harris" handwritten response to the article disputing some information in it, such as the assertion that he was "outraged" at the students' actions.
Day the National Guard Swept A&T's Scott Hall
In this May 20, 1979 Greensboro Daily News article, David Newton recalls the National Guard raid on Scott Hall on the North Carolina A&T State University (A&T) campus during protests in 1969. Newton writes of the death of student Willie Grimes during the protests, which remains unsolved. He notes bullet holes in the facade of Scott Hall and a marker commemorating Grimes at the Dudley Administration Building. Newton acknowledges allegations that Grimes was shot by the police, but notes that students were also firing weapons and that police claim the bullet that killed Grimes was of a different caliber than that carried by officers.<br><br> Newton details events leading up to protest on the A&T campus, starting with the local school administrators restricting Dudley High student Claude Barnes from taking office as student body president. Newton writes of the sweep of Scott Hall following the night of Grimes' death. Former Mayor Jack Elam shared his unease over the decision to sweep the building, and A&T President Lewis Dowdy recalls little discussion between himself and the National Guard. Dowdy says the incident has resulted in the problems of "repairing the confidence people have in the fairness of justice."<br><br>Newton continues by questioning why such an event occurred in Greensboro. Mayor Elam is quoted as saying it "was the frustrated feeling of black people that they were not being listened to." The North Carolina State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights criticized the Dudley PTA and administration, as well as the community for not recognizing the need for better communication. Police Chief W. E. Swing also recognizes that officers were "rigid in their thinking" at the time with a lack of interest in community betterment.<br><br>Newton concludes the article by looking at the effect of the event and other issues of the era on community members. He writes that Claude Barnes and Nelson Johnson, A&T student body vice-president in 1969, have turned to communism. Vincent McCullough, A&T student body president in 1969, is set to be released from prison in May. Sarah Herbin, members of the N.C. State Advisory Committee, is concerned about race relations in the state and says housing and employment continue to be problems. Dowdy says the event taught Greensboro blacks they must become involved in political decision making "not after the fact, but before it."<br><br>This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook on race relations by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins that spawned lunch counter sit-ins across the South and rejuvenated the civil rights movement.
Do the right thing
This article by Franklin McCain, one of the four original participants in the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins, appeared in the August 26, 1990, Greensboro News & Record, and focuses discriminatory practices within private clubs in the south. McCain cites a recent controversy involving an Alabama country club, and notes that discriminatory admission practices serve as a barrier to full participation by blacks and civic and business life, since so many aspects center on these clubs. He argues that "change must come" possibly through business boycotts and other activities. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook on race relations by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins.
Don't Buy: Have A Saving Christmas
This flier promotes a boycott of white-owned businesses by the black community in Greensboro. African Americans are encourage to patronize black-owned businesses whenever possible. The boycott was triggered by the workers strike at Industries of the Blind, which involved primarily black workers. The flier also notes that such a boycott will also make white leadership responsive to the needs of the black community. The flier includes a list of tips for supporting the boycott along with the phrase "Black People - Black Pride - Black Success!!" This flier was saved in a scrapbook by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins that spawned lunch counter sit-ins across the South and rejuvenated the civil rights movement.
F.W. Woolworth Co. building in Greensboro, North Carolina
This color photograph depicts the Greensboro F.W. Woolworth Company store, which was the site of the 1960 sit-ins protesting business segregation. The photograph shows the full front facade of the store on Elm Street, as well as a portion of the former Meyer's Department Store across Sycamore Street (now February One Place). The date and the photographer are unknown, although elements in the picture indicate in may have been taken in the early 1980s.
February One honors 'four' on '60s sit-in silver anniversary
This article by Kelly Mitchell-Clark of the Greensboro News & Record reports on the twenty-fifth anniversary celebration commemorating the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins at the local Woolworth lunch counter. Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, and David Richmond, three of the original four participants, were present for the program. This article was clipped and saved in a scrapbook on race relations by Clarence "Curly" Harris, manager of the Greensboro Woolworth store at the time of the 1960 sit-ins that spawned lunch counter sit-ins across the South and rejuvenated the civil rights movement.

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