Conversations in Context: Movements
Synopsis
On February 1, 1960, four college students from North Carolina A&T initiated a sit-in at the FW Woolworth lunch counter, leading to its desegregation.
Synopsis
Dometi Pongo speaks with Lonnie Bunch, the first African-American secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, about the desegregation of the FW Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 1, 1960. This event followed a six-month protest led by four college students from North Carolina A&T. Pongo connects this historic sit-in to the founding of Black Lives Matter seven years ago, discussing how lessons from the past can inform current social justice movements. They address the roles of music, marches, and media in activism.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Find out how a sit-in changed lunch counter policies.
- Meet Lonnie Bunch, a leading voice in American history.
- See how museums can influence social justice movements.
Did You Know
- The Woolworth lunch counter was desegregated on this day in 1960.
- The Black Lives Matter movement was founded seven years before the documentary's release in 2020.
- The Greensboro sit-in became a key tactic used throughout the civil rights movement.
- Lonnie Bunch is the first African-American secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What event took place at the FW Woolworth lunch counter in 1960?
The FW Woolworth lunch counter was desegregated following a six month long protest in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Who was the first African-American secretary of the Smithsonian Institution?
Lonnie Bunch was the first African-American secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
What initiative did the Smithsonian create to address current social issues?
The Smithsonian created a major initiative called Race Community and Our Shared Future to facilitate virtual conversations and collect resources related to social justice.
What are people saying?
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