Independent Lens Season 6 Episode 12 February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four

In the sixth season of the popular documentary series Independent Lens, episode 12 delves into the powerful and inspiring story of the Greensboro Four, a group of young black men who sparked a civil rights movement with their courageous sit-in at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960. This episode, titled "February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four," is a moving and informative look at one of the most important moments in the struggle for racial equality in America.

The episode begins by providing important historical context for the Greensboro Four's actions. Viewers are reminded of the deeply segregated and discriminatory reality of the United States in the 1950s and 60s, when African Americans were subject to institutionalized racism and violence, and were denied even the most basic rights and freedoms. The filmmakers use archival footage to show how the civil rights movement began to gain momentum in the early 1960s, with a series of nonviolent protests, boycotts, and demonstrations that challenged the status quo and demanded change.

Against this backdrop, we are introduced to the four young men who would become known as the Greensboro Four: Ezell Blair Jr. (later known as Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond. The episode explores each of their backgrounds and motivations, showing how they were inspired by the broader civil rights movement and the teachings of nonviolent activism.

The heart of the episode is the powerful retelling of the sit-in itself, which took place on February 1, 1960. The filmmakers use photographs, newsreels, and interviews with the surviving members of the Greensboro Four to bring this moment to life, showing how the young men calmly and resolutely refused to leave the "whites only" lunch counter, even in the face of verbal abuse and physical violence from other customers and law enforcement officials.

As the sit-in continues for days and then weeks, the episode shows how the movement quickly gains momentum, with other students and civil rights advocates staging their own sit-ins across the country. Viewers see how the Greensboro Four become national figures and symbols of the struggle for racial equality, as the media covers their story and civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. lend their support.

But "February One" does not stop at the sit-in itself. The filmmakers show the long-term impact of this action, both in terms of the immediate aftermath (such as the desegregation of Woolworth's and other lunch counters) and in terms of the broader civil rights movement. We see how the sit-in catalyzed other forms of protest and direct action, and also how it inspired many other young people to get involved in the struggle for civil rights and social justice.

Throughout the episode, the filmmakers provide important historical context and commentary, drawing on interviews with scholars and experts to help viewers understand the significance of the Greensboro Four's actions. They also pay tribute to the many other activists and organizations that played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, highlighting the collective nature of this struggle and the ongoing need for justice and equality in America.

In the end, "February One" is a powerful and inspiring tribute to the Greensboro Four and the broader civil rights movement. Through its masterful storytelling and its wealth of historical footage and interviews, this episode brings to life a critical moment in American history and reminds us of the ongoing struggle for social justice.