Sit-ins
Sit-ins were a pivotal form of nonviolent protest during the Civil Rights Movement, primarily aimed at challenging racial segregation in public spaces. The movement began on February 1, 1960, when four African American college students staged a sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in response to the establishment's "whites only" policy. Their act of sitting down and refusing to leave until they were served sparked a wave of similar protests across the southern United States. Participants, often well-dressed and sometimes accompanied by white allies, would occupy segregated lunch counters for extended periods, despite facing harassment and arrest.
The sit-in strategy proved effective, as the protests exerted economic pressure on businesses that could not afford the loss of customers. Within six months of the initial sit-in, Greensboro's lunch counters were desegregated, reflecting a broader movement towards racial equality. Sit-ins played a critical role in the struggle against segregation, showcasing the power of peaceful resistance and collective action in the pursuit of civil rights. They not only facilitated desegregation in dining establishments but also contributed to the overall momentum of the Civil Rights Movement, marking a significant step towards achieving equality for African Americans.
Sit-ins
A method of civil rights protest involving the occupation of a food service counter seat for extended periods of time. Sit-ins were an important part of the fight against racial segregation in the South.
Origins and History
On February 1, 1960, four African American college students entered a Greensboro, North Carolina, Woolworth’s and sat at the lunch counter. They were refused service because they were not white, but they remained seated until closing as an act of protest. In the following weeks, others who opposed “whites only” food service policies sat at Greensboro lunch counters for hours at a time. Six months later, the city’s lunch counters were open to both African American and white patrons. This form of nonviolent protest came to be known as a “sit-in.”
Sit-ins were an important part of the Civil Rights movement. Early in 1960, the technique quickly spread from Greensboro to other areas of the South. Typically, well-dressed African Americans, occasionally accompanied by white people, sat at segregated lunch counters from opening until closing. Despite their own peacefulness, protesters were sometimes physically abused or arrested. Eventually, stores lost money because of the disturbances and were forced to comply with protesters’ demands. Sit-ins became the most effective tool for lunch counter desegregation across the South. In a broader sense, sit-in victories brought African Americans one step closer to equality.
Additional Information
For more information on the development and impact of sit-ins, consult Miles Wolf’s Lunch at the 5 & 10 (1990) and Martin Oppenheimer’s The Sit-in Movement of 1960 (1989).