Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sit-Ins - 1960
You are a member of the Sit-in Movement in Nashville and you have been spit on, struck and assaulted for simply sitting at the lunch counter. How did you feel while planning these events knowing the violence you would face? How did you remain peaceful? Is it worth it? What are your reactions?
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How did I feel? I felt righteous. And why wouldn't I? I'm fighting in my own way for my rights, and I have no regrets. I know that my actions today may very well affect the future, and that's why I think what I'm doing is worth it. I also know that, if I were to suddenly strike out in violence, I would be proving the segregationists correct in their convictions, and I cannot let that happen, or else our efforts will have been in vain.
ReplyDeleteDuring the sit-in, I naturally felt as though I were a part of something bigger than myself. The entire civil rights campaign is bigger than any one man, and it's worth my life if need be. It is most certainly worth my necessity to restrain fighting back; that would be giving the white men what they wanted, which would be giving them more power once again.To fight back would completely contradict the entirety of our fight for freedom, and I cannot let my emotions win out in this fight between the races.
ReplyDeleteI was very excited for the sit ins while planing them because I knew that everyone in the community needed to help so we could really be free, however, I knew that the actual event was not going to be east. While there I felt like scum. I sat and sat because that is what i was trained to do and because i knew in the end that I was doing a small part. Remaining completly peaceful was extremly hard. The thing that i kept telling myself was that a) this event would not last forever, I could make it through, b) I knew that if i was to fight our hope would be over, I would be proveing the white people right and c) an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind, except when it is about skin color, then the whites get more angry and the blacks will loose much more than just an eye.
ReplyDeleteWhile sitting through these attacks, it was in no way easy to refrain from fighting back. I had thoughts running through my mind about how unfair it is to me and everyone else who stepped in to sit in the lunch line. Then there were the thoughts of how what we were doing in that very moment could be a step forward for blacks rights. I found peace in knowing that nobody was backing down, and we would stay in that lunch line until we got what we wanted. Having knowledge in advance that we would be beaten, spit on, arrested and have other horrible things done to us, I had to fight for what I wanted most, equal rights. Through it all, there was no doubt in my mind that this was worth the possible positive outcome.
ReplyDeletewhile planning our sit ins i felt determined to prove a point of justice and stick to our word. Before the attacks i had kept in mind that violence would occur throughout a part of our refusal; however, i would not let myself add violence throughout the act against society. Although i have been spat on and beaten harshly i still believe that we completed a courageous act and i would never take back the decision to take part in such an event. The baffled faces of the white public as every new group of us took our place at the counter following the rest, was unforgettable. No one could stand to admit that such a race like "us" can take a stand and act out against what is wrong and what is right.
ReplyDeletewhile myself and others plan these events we know what the outcome is however i feel too strongly for the cause and have no other choice but to do something to support it. knowing our fait is the worst part but we push through it because fighting back will only put us onto their level in the worst way, yes we want to be equal but equality does not mean do everything the same. fighting is never the answer and just because they strike us we should not fight back because that will only cause more problems for us. with this thought in mind we have the strenght to walk into a white public place and sit down with the knowlage of our faith. life is not fair and it will not become fair without intervetion therefore we have to do something to make the changes we want to see and if we do not then we have no right to complain about the problems we face because we do not have the courage to do soemthing about them. anything you belive is wrong is worth fighting to change and if you are not willing to fight for it then it can not mean that much to you.
ReplyDeleteWhile we were planning these events I knew it was gonna get ugly, I prepared for the worst and it came. I've been spat at and attacked for my planning and sitting in. While planning these events I felt wonderful and really good about what I was going to do for my people and the people of this country. A change needs to be made and all the violence we are getting put through is not even close to enough to stop us or change our actions. I know the country will be a better place by the time this sit in is done and that makes it worth all my time and effort. I know we can make a difference and I dont think anyone of us are willing to quit until our demands are met.
ReplyDeleteToday for the first time in my life i have felt the courage to stand up for myself and my brothers. I never had thought that i could maintain myself to stand all the negligent things these white people behind were saying as they were slapping the back of my head while i just sat there. There were several moments that i just felt like crying and as i looked around most of my brothers had the same look. But then i thought about the importance of this act and how it was successfully proving a point to the public. Everyone of my black brothers and sisters were all taking the beatings for a cause that will never be forgotten. Let us stand up for our freedom in non-violence
ReplyDeleteAs my friends and I planned to finally take action into our own hands, many of my family members questioned if I was in fear of sitting next to a white man. My response to this question is this; how can you be scared when your fighting for a cause that will only help your own friends, family and lastly, your helping yourself. Also, if you enter the situation, such as Leila Parrish, Lagan Donnelly and myself did with no fear or distractions, it will be easier to accomplish your goal. The reason we all remained peaceful is because if we don’t fight back, then these angry white men have nothing to retaliate to, which means they have no logical reason to strike us in any way. It was worth it because for the first time in history, I saw equality between blacks and whites.
ReplyDeleteWhile planning the sit-ins and other protest I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew I was going to be spit on, assaulted and hosed down by a fire hose, my whole mind set was the pain be temporary but after our freedom would last forever. Black people are humans beings and we will not stop until we gain our civil rights we have been denied for so long. " Justice too long delayed is justice denied" as MLK said so now we have to step up so our grandchildren will not have to suffer like we do on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteWhile planning the Sit-In event with my friends I felt more alive then ever before. Something was finally being done to help gain rights for blacks. During the event I knew that if I stayed peaceful and did not fight back against the white man it would help make progress for the black race in America, even while getting beaten and spat on i kept that thought in my mind which allowed me to hold my ground peacefully.
ReplyDeleteAt first I was not to exited about all of this sit ins, but once a group of college friends of mine told me that it feels good in the inside to stand up for such a great cause. They told me that right now in the beginning it is going to be painful, but for the future this is all going to be worth for. We are not doing this for just Nashville but also for every single colored neighborhood in this so called freedom country. Now I think about all of it and after the white man spits on me, after the white man hits me I only think that im not only doing this for myself but for my family and for everyone else that lives in the United States.
ReplyDeleteDuring the planning, everything was very serious and also very tough. We were practicing many techniques during these meetings for the Sit- ins. I knew going into this that i was going to have to endure more pain and embarrasment then I've ever had to before. I remained peaceful by keeping my goal in my mind, knowing how much this was going to help so many people. I knew that one day people are going to be learning about how we stood up for what we believe in.
ReplyDeleteI felt more powerful than ever before. Even though me and my friends were spit or by a white person, I sat at that counter with a smile on my face. For once the white man looked helpless to what black people were doing.I agree with Kyle in that one day people will be sitting in integrated classrooms learning about how we stood up for our beliefs.
ReplyDeleteToday was the first day i felt confident enough to stand up for myself to those rude white people.For once it felt good to know that the white snobby woman sitting in front of me at the diner felt uncomfortable.I feel a great satisfaction of self accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteResponding to Liron, it was very nice to see that we were the ones above the white people for once. I liked the fact that they had nothing to do about it and that white people felt the discomfort that we had always felt. Things are getting better because we stood up for what we believed not matter what, none of us gave in.
ReplyDeleteWhile planning the sitins, I knew it was going to take courage and I was aware of the consequences. I felt so powerful and confident that my actions we're going to affect a lot of people later on for the better. Me along with other friends and family, were standing up for what we believe in while beeing spit on and embarrased, but at the end of the day I am very proud for sticking up for myself and standing up for what I believe in no matter what the consequences might me.
ReplyDeleteGus i can not agree with you more. for the past couple of months i have felt the same was as you, as if there was something i should be doing to better my life accept i didnt know what it was. as i watched my family and friends around me get beaten and such i did not know what to do but now i do, stand uo for myself and others in a non violent way and we will get something accomplished. Gus now that i have seen your view on things you have changed my life, thank you.
ReplyDeleteToday was the day my life began. I put my nicest clothes on and combed my hair back, hoping to bring only the best attention to myself. I joined the group as we made our way down the street to an only white lunch shop near my university. I took a deep breath, knowing that this would be a rough, long, but, worthwhile experience. This will be my new beginning. This will be the day that people begin to realize that whites and blacks are no different. I will be a hero. I will endure, for my freedom. I have opened the door and am standing here, ready to be taunted and abused by my soon to be friends. The three of us that have chosen to sit in today, have pushed our jaws out and created serious, strong, expressions on our faces. We will not break. We are in this together. Ignorance is bliss and those taunting us are purely ignorant. They will look back on today and question their morals. This movement is worth every sweat drop and tear that my people have shed. We are done with this cruelty and I am ready to start a revolution. I have quickly learned to tune out the screaming voices surrounding my seat. I am not shaking. The juice being poured down my shirt does not bother me, because one day this will be worth it. The three of us have not flinched our even turned in our seats. We will sit here all night if that is what it takes. I am not afraid of change, I welcome it.
ReplyDeleteI sit at the bench next to my three classmates solemnly. We don’t speak; we don’t even move our heads at the objects racing past us. Pieces of food are being thrown and suddenly a white gentleman is harassing the boy to my side. I don’t flinch. I sit unaffected. I stare into space imagining the future for all us African-Americans and know in my heart this will all be worth it someday. We have been trained to take whatever comes our way, even if that means crouching on the floor in a ball to protect ourselves from the hostile regulars of the diner. They don’t want us to be served but we have no problem resisting their violence. I will sit on this stool for the next week if that’s what it takes. Every single second is worth it. Gandhi’s morals have been taught to us for this sit-in process and we live by his ways. We will not resort to violence; rather fight for equality with peace.
ReplyDelete