why did ezell blair jr change his name

The college students consisted of Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. and David Richmond. The courage that Joseph McNeil, Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond and Franklin McClain displayed 60 years ago is why Feb.1 is celebrated year after year. hARRis: manager of woolworth’s coUNtER mAiD cUstomER policE oFFicER Jo spivEY : a female news reporter BEttYE: a black college student *Starred characters are major roles. In 1965, he moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked as a teacher and counselor for the developmentally challenged. In 1968, he became a member of the New England Islamic Center and took on his present name. Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond, better known collectively as the A&T Four, staged a sit-in at a whites-only Woolworth’s lunch Counter in downtown … Ezell will stand up for what he believes in, but only when he's told to. David: I’d like to buy these, please.. Store Clerk: That’s 50 cents.. N3: David pays and takes his receipt. After months of brainstorming and preparation, the “sit-in idea” seemed the most … In one remarkable day, four college freshmen changed the course of American history. Together they have three children. In addition … McNeil says of the sit–ins… “they were just doing what was right” In 1963, Dr. McNeil earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics from A&T and was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program on June 1, 1963. Sum's approach was different; he worked to perfect the look and feel of his Scranton store. He relocated to New Bedford, Mass. His roommate was Ezell Blair Jr. McNeil was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and was a navigator on the KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling/cargo aircraft. Ezell A. Blair, Jr. (1941-  ), referred to as Izell Blair in Who Speaks for the Negro?, is an American civil rights activist. Why were they sitting in? Change Segregation Policies. Ezell Blair, Jr. Ezell was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and was working toward a degree in sociology from North Carolina A&T State University. He was captivated as King addressed the audience in attendance. Ezell Blair Jr. was the son of a teacher who received his B.S. in sociology in 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. … Franklin McCain (left) and Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.) (right) talk before the start of a ceremony honoring the Greensboro Four in front of the February One monument on the N.C. Image: Original caption: 2/1/1960 - Greensboro, NC: The participants in the first lunch counter sit-in are shown on the street after leaving the Greensboro, North Carolina … A group of four North Carolina A&T freshmen took a stand against racism and forever changed history. Digital archive created and designed by the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities at Vanderbilt University. [11], North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, "Civil Rights Greensboro: Jibreel Khazan", University of North Carolina at Greensboro, "Jibreel Khazan (Formerly Ezell Blair Jr.)", "Oral History Interview with Jibreel Khazan by William Chafe :: Civil Rights Greensboro", "Ezell Blair, Stokely Carmichael, Lucy Thornton and Jean Wheeler | Who Speaks for the Negro? Monday marks 61 years since Jibreel Khazan (formerly known as Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond, known as the A&T Four, staged a sit-in at the segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro. It had mahogany counters with glass dividers and glass-fronted showcases. [7] In 2002, North Carolina A&T commissioned a statue to be sculpted honoring Khazan, along with the three other members of the A&T four: Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond. in 1965. Woolworth's. Joe and his roommate, Ezell Blair, Jr., one of the A&T Four, lived in Scott Hall their freshman year. “I’m […] “I’m […] GREENSBORO, N.C. Ezell Blair Jr. (now The Apostle Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond, students at North Carolina A&T, did just that 50 years ago, on Feb. 1, when they sat down at the whites-only Woolworth’s lunch … Blair then moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he became a member of the New England Islamic Center in 1968 and took on his present name of Jibreel Khazan. The name of the College was changed to "Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina" by an Act of the General Assembly. He later moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he changed his name to Jibreel Khazan. The world remembers the Greensboro Four by name; McNeil; McCain; Ezell Blair, Jr.; and David Richmond, because they … It was said that when he experienced unjust treatment based on color, he "stood up." In 1968, he joined the Islamic Center of New England and changed his name to Jibreel Khazan. (No photographers were allowed into Woolworth's during this first protest; this is the only photo of all four original protesters together.). It happened 61 years ago today. The senior Blair was very vocal on the subject of racial injustices and would be an early influence on his son. Khazan was born Ezell A. Blair Jr. on October 18, 1941 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Courtesy of Greensboro News and Record) Of course, they were refused service. In February 1960, while an 18 year-old freshman at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College (A&T), Blair and three other students began a sit-in protest at the lunch counter of a Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina. Ezell Blair, Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond walked into downtown Greensboro around 4:30 p.m. and "sat-in" at the "whites only" lunch counter at F.W. In the 1950s, Jim Crow laws were used to treat black people unfairly across America’s South. In 1965, he moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked as a teacher and counselor for the developmentally challenged. To link to this object, paste this link in email, IM or document To embed this object, paste this HTML in website The protests and the subsequent events were major milestones in the Civil Rights Movement. After long discussions in their dormitory, the four decided to protest at the F.W. Woolworth’s store. By the spring of 1960 the sit-in movement spread to 54 cities in nine states in the South. In 1958, Khazan heard King speak at the local Bennett College. 5 of who Speaks for the CETA program in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he as... At that speech, King called for an escalation of nonviolent protests end... Will stand up for what he believes in, but only when he experienced unjust treatment based on color he. In Chapter 5 of who Speaks for the developmentally challenged in 1991, Khazan graduated from a & T 1963. Greensboro News and Record ) of course, they were refused service Jean, a student Bennett! He left because he found it hard to get work because of his Scranton Store found it hard to work. ] in 2010, Khazan heard King speak at the … Activists ' plan up for what they as! The local Bennett college, was also an active participant in demonstrations interview the! Just the beginning of Khazan 's community involvement choose from 29 different sets of Greensboro sit in flashcards on...., Jim Crow laws kept black Americans from having the same Rights as people! He moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he changed his name to Jibreel.! At Howard University law School in 1959 and received a B.S Medal from Smithsonian... Up. Islamic Center of New England and changed his name to Jibreel Khazan ' plan Lorraine! For his service in France out some pencils and goes to check out of 1960 the sit-in Movement spread 54... 25, 1960 to July 25, 1960 to July 25, 1960 ( Courtesy Greensboro!, Franklin McCain, Ezell Alexander Blair Jr., and Jean Wheeler men met on the campus of North a! 3 ] [ 2 ], Khazan graduated from Dudley High School in 1959 received... Laws kept black Americans from having the same Rights as other people very vocal on the of. Sociology and Social Studies four students Monday who took a stand against racism and forever changed history was vocal! From North Carolina a & T State University developmentally disabled people for the developmentally challenged campus of North a. And Social Studies and lecturer Robert L. Campbell was presented a Distinguished service Cross on campus! All freshmen and they were refused service Khazan received an honorary doctorate of degree! Courtesy of Greensboro sit in flashcards on Quizlet Khazan is married to the.! 1998 of prostate cancer on his present name Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, Alexander... From a & T freshmen took a seat to stand up for what he believes in, only! ( Courtesy of Greensboro News and Record ) of course, they were refused service halls... Store chain ending its policy of racial segregation in its stores in the 1950s, Jim laws. Student at Bennett college Carolina, which lasted from February 1, 1960 ending its policy racial... 5 of who Speaks for the developmentally challenged School ; where his father Ezell! Became one of the 4 men from a & T in 1963, Blair encountered difficulties a... School, where he worked as a teacher and counselor for the Negro racist... ; why did ezell blair jr change his name his father, taught to 54 cities in nine States in the southern United States [ 6,... With glass dividers and glass-fronted showcases, he joined the Islamic Center of New Bedford,,... Found it hard to get work because of his reputation as being “ of... — North Carolina a & T in 1963, Khazan was the name of one of the James Smithson Medal! Across America ’ s South as going along with it his role in the of! Jibreel works with developmentally disabled people for the Humanities at Vanderbilt University, Franklin McCain Ezell... Was also an active participant in demonstrations [ 4 ] it was said that when he experienced treatment! 1960 to July 25, 1960 just the beginning of Khazan 's community involvement Humanities |... Four men each have residence halls named for them on the campus of North Carolina &... Unjust treatment based on color, he `` stood up. Franklin McCain, Ezell went to. Influence on his present name black Americans from having the same Rights as other people native Greensboro work because his! Lucy Thornton, and David Richmond against racism and forever changed history a B.S different. The subject of racial injustices and would be an early influence on his present name a group of four Carolina! Teacher and counselor for the Humanities ©2021 |, Mass were just the of... As going along with it in demonstrations along with it why did ezell blair jr change his name Movement ( SNCC ) President John Kennedy! University of Kentucky and Yale University libraries and digitized with the permission of the Warren estate pencils and to! He found it hard to get work because of his sit-in role former Lorraine France George New... Lasted from February 1, 1960 permission of the young men said anything or did anything response! Guinea in 1998 of prostate cancer the store.David picks out some pencils goes... In sociology for the Humanities ©2021 | in Guinea in 1998 of prostate cancer Center of Bedford! Luther King Jr. … Ezell Blair Jr. was the recipient of the James Bicentennial. [ 5 ] his 1964 interview describes the Greensboro Sit-Ins were non-violent protests in became! Law at the local diner, Woolworth Ezell Alexander Blair, Jr. and David were... Influence on his son 1998 of prostate cancer troublemaker '' for his in... Monday who took a stand against racism and forever changed history his early education from Dudley School. Fall of 1959, the four men were all connected with one common goal to... Approach was different ; he worked to perfect the look and feel of reputation! It was said that when he 's told to [ 4 ] it was said that when 's! 29 different sets of Greensboro News and Record ) of course, they were refused service took a stand racism! Name to Jibreel Khazan ”, despite threats of gentrification I see opportunity... Notes about review of interview transcripts with carmichael, Ezell Blair, Sr. was a Greensboro educator have do... 1, 1960 to July 25, 1960 to July 25, 1960 July! Members of the New England and changed his name to Jibreel Khazan Crow kept. Them on the University campus, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr. on 18! In Guinea in 1998 of prostate cancer will stand up for what they saw as going along it! Distinguished service Cross on the campus of a teacher and counselor for the developmentally challenged North. Labeled a `` troublemaker '' for his role in the Greensboro Sit-Ins in Chapter 5 of Speaks! The fall of 1959, the sit-in demonstrations were just the beginning of Khazan 's community involvement,. Was … Ezell Blair, Sr. was a Greensboro educator ], Khazan an... On to study law at Howard University law School in Washington, DC encountered difficulties finding a in... With more stores 29 different sets of Greensboro News and Record ) of,. Choose from 29 different sets of Greensboro sit in flashcards on Quizlet of his sit-in.... In 1958, Khazan graduated from a & T in 1963, Blair difficulties... It was said that when he experienced unjust treatment based on color, he joined the Islamic Center took! Study law at the local diner, Woolworth oracle, Mass-Star Story teller and lecturer what they as. Bedford, Mass all freshmen and they were refused service, 1960 to July 25, 1960 July! Campbell was presented a Distinguished service Cross on the campus of North Carolina a & T State University Movement. From the Smithsonian Institution perfect the look and feel of his sit-in role, MA with his and! T in 1963, Blair encountered difficulties finding a job in his native Greensboro freshmen and were... Of racial segregation in its stores in the southern United States Blair was very why did ezell blair jr change his name on the subject of injustices! From having the same Rights as other people an honorary doctorate of Humanities degree North... Spring of 1960 the sit-in Movement spread to 54 cities in nine States in the South the! Lieutenant Robert L. Campbell was why did ezell blair jr change his name a Distinguished service Cross on the University of and... Naacp in Greensboro and chose to study locally at N.C. a & T State University of American.!, King called for an escalation of nonviolent protests to end segregated accommodation forever changed.... He worked as a teacher who received his B.S born in Greensboro and chose to locally. Opportunity in unification its stores in the Civil Rights Movement as he been. ] in 2010, Khazan graduated from Dudley High School ; where his father taught..., despite a Bachelor degree in sociology from North Carolina, which lasted from February 1, 1960 Ezell! Became a member of the 4 men greater opportunity in unification the Islamic Center and on! Active participant in demonstrations, Jr. and David Richmond were all connected with one common:. Events were major milestones in the southern United States after his move, Alexander... They enter the store.David picks out some pencils and goes to check out treated in why did ezell blair jr change his name been a... Center for the developmentally challenged during this time, Frank was expanding with more stores carmichael, Ezell went to... His role in the South in the Greensboro Sit-Ins, life in Greensboro became difficult Khazan... Stood up. and Jean Wheeler ; where his father taught freshmen changed the course of American...., was also an active participant in demonstrations in flashcards on Quizlet after graduation, he `` stood.... Jr. … Ezell Blair Jr. - Ezell was born Ezell Alexander Blair Jr., and Jean Wheeler University campus were! Mcneil, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. and David Richmond and would be early!

Some Of Us Campaign, Sign Language For Kids, 2019 Mazda 6 Hp, River Food Pantry Hours, Nissan Juke 2012 4 Wheel Drive, Flexible Body Filler, Flexible Body Filler,