Civil Rights Museum visit

Twenty seven Pullenites enjoyed a train trip to Greensboro on Sept. 27th to tour the International Civil Rights Museum. Our visit to the museum was an extensive narrative of the civil rights movement around the 1960s time frame. The Greensboro Four showed much courage by staging a non-violent sit-in at the Woolworth's "whites only" lunch counter. Their action, along with sustained participation by others, including high school students, received national attention and spurred other protests that led to the integration of public facilities.

A highlight of the trip was to learn that Howard Romaine, who was in our group, had his mug shot on display there! He participated in a sit-in in Memphis in 1964 and was arrested. Our group erupted in applause when Rita Rakestraw, Howard’s daughter, brought his act of civil disobedience to the group’s attention. 

Comments from attendees:

Sarah Chew -  Two very contrasting images have stayed with me. One is the body of Emmett Till, who was the same age as my students. The other is of the four young men leaving Woolworth's that first day. As they walked into Woolworth's, they did not know if their destiny would be that of Emmett Till. What bravery and determination they showed!

Ted Buckner - Our guide, Cameron, took us on a guided tour of the exhibits with detailed descriptions of the events before and after the pivotal sit-in at the Woolworths counter in 1960. The first exhibit covered the "Jail, no Bail" protest, where 185 demonstrators blocked the streets by simply sitting down and getting arrested. They refused to post bail, so the authorities had to let them go so they would have a place to detain more serious criminals. 

Lynn Jarrard -  I was pleased to see participation from young adults to elders; I think the good work that the ARCC has done is evident by the interest from a wide range of participants.

In addition, the group enjoyed the fellowship of spending time together on the train ride and having lunch in small groups. Many thanks to all who participated in Pullen’s first adult group trip to the museum! 

May the heroic actions of the Greensboro Four and others who led the civil rights movement inspire us all to continue their work in pursuing justice and equality.

- Judy Williams