Film Lens
This documentary examines significant moments in civil rights history, focusing on the desegregation of the FW Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960. Dometi Pongo interviews historian Lonnie Bunch, who discusses how four college students from North Carolina A&T initiated a sit-in at Woolworth's after a friend faced mistreatment. This act became a pivotal tactic in the civil rights movement, showcasing the power of peaceful protest.
The film also connects historical events to contemporary social justice movements, emphasizing the importance of understanding history to navigate current challenges. Bunch shows the role of institutions like the Smithsonian in preserving history while actively participating in ongoing struggles for equality, stressing that nostalgia alone does not drive change.
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
Civil rights history buffsSocial justice advocatesMuseum enthusiasts