The Greensboro Massacre
Greensboro, North Carolina today is home to over 300,000 residents with a little over 40% of the population being African americans. One would think it is a progressive area with little to no racism, however, that is not the case today and was most definitely not the case decades ago.
During the 1960’s Greensboro became a hot spot for the Civil Rights era and a foreground for movements as the Greensboro Four sparked their sit-in movement right in the heart of the city. From the moment those four gentlemen sat down at the F.W. WoolWorth counter a spark was ignited in the souls of activists near and far. Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Joseph McNeil and their advances towards change gained national attention. The efforts of those fighting for Civil Rights did not cease as time went on, in fact their hunger for equality only grew stronger. Empowering more North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State (A&T) students as well as the Bennet Bells to get involved in sit ins, and protests spread across the state and the east coast. The activists continued to sit at the “whites only” lunch counter for months. The counter was finally desegregated in July of 1960, and in the original building is now the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.
Nine years later after the initial sit-in the national guard was called to the campus of North Carolina A&T because the governor deemed the students unrest and protest against administration at Dudley High school to be a danger. Students were once again fighting for the rights of a student who was being discriminated against. The event resulted in the National Guard firing into dorms on campus and the death of one student, William Jones. Combined the police and troops fired over 60 bullets in the dorm, scaring students and residents. This tragedy went on to be known as the 1969 Uprising or the Dudley Revolt. This is how the reflection pool located between the dorm community named after the A&T Four came to be. It is the remaining pillar of what was known as Scott Hall.
A little black boy winning a school election and trying to claim his rightful title resulted in multiple students fighting for their rights, and fearing for their lives. It is sad to say that was the reality for black people in America that the country rather waste militant resources and tax payers dollars than see a black person in power.
Across the street at Bennett College the Belles had been involved in the fight for not only civil rights but human rights. Ella Baker led the charge as she worked for the NAACP and even was a founding member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). After her time was up at Bennet the Belles began following. Linda Beatrice Brown, participated in the sit-ins on just the third day and has openly advocated for women's rights alongside civil rights.
On November 3rd, 1979 Greensboro experienced a massacre as the Communist Workers Party formerly known as the Workers Viewpoint Organization set out for their “Death to the Klan” march. While members were gathering, before the march officially began news crews gathered to watch. However, members of the Ku Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party arrived and began antagonizing them. The confrontation led to fighting and within two minutes shots were fired. Four participants were dead, and another twelve were injured. One of the twelve included Reverend Nelson Johnson.
Rev. Nelson Johnson was an A&T alumni who had no problem putting the community and the betterment of society before himself. Before enrolling at A&T in the fall of 1965, he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.
Johnson, who was stabbed in the arm, was pictured aiding another victim. From that very day he dedicated his life to restoring peace in the Greensboro community and getting justice for the actions of the Klan that day. He left his more violent and radical past and views and became a preacher in 1991. For years he worked towards the prosecution of those responsible, finally forty years later the city issued an apology. Johnson even fought the police department for a resolution because if it weren’t for their negligence the situation could have been avoided.
The Greensboro police were told about the KKK’s plan to attend and cause destruction at the rally however, they did nothing about it. The police also did not intervene until after the shooting ended. While individuals may have differences of opinions, I thought it was the police's responsibility to protect and serve regardless of race, gender or viewpoints.
Although he got what he wanted, Johnson continued to serve his community through the Beloved Community Center which he helped found, until his unfortunate death on February 9th, 2025.
His legacy along with the many civil rights activists and prominent figures that came out of Greensboro and surrounding areas will live on in the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. The exhibits show the hard truths of what it was like to live through slavery and jim-crow but it also shows the accomplishments and perseverance of those that came before us.
While it is encouraged that whenever the opportunity presents itself, you should go it is sad that our history is buried and only told in spaces created for us. The changes and apologies need to be just as loud and public as the disrespect and disregard.
