NC A&T commemorates 64th anniversary of civil rights sit-in with conversation about social justice

On Feb. 1, 1960, the A&T Four, as they came to be known, sat down at a “whites-only” lunch counter and asked to be served. 

Their protests not only led to the desegregation of a Woolworth in Greensboro but also helped to launch the sit-in movement all across the South. 

And 64 years later, university staff, students, and alumni say the fight for social justice isn’t over. 

NC A&T's Director of External Affairs Oliver Thomas took part in a conversation about history and where democracy stands today. 

“You see persons not being treated fairly. You see women having to still struggle to have the rights to their own bodies. You see young people feel like they don't have a voice in community, or they’re not being listened to," Thomas said. "We're seeing apathy and we're also seeing hopelessness at the same time.”

He encouraged the audience to fight those feelings, and stay civically engaged. Honors Political Science Student Kennedy Lighty said the A&T Four inspired her to do that. 

“In this work, sometimes it can get tiring and it can get hard. But they were young, just like us, the A&T Four were freshmen," Lighty said. "And it just serves as motivation to keep going."

After the discussion, attendees made their way to the February One monument for a wreath-laying ceremony and a performance by the university’s gospel choir. In the crowd was Charles Bess, who worked at the Woolworth during the sit-in protests. 

“Well as I was just being the busboy, I felt in my heart that they were doing the right thing," Bess said. "Because we should live on this earth with love and dignity in our hearts.”

He said we can all learn from the A&T Four. 

"It's good to fight for what you think is right. And that's what we should do."

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.