Non-Conforming: The Problem with “Separate but Equal”

I am an employee at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. As a result of this, I experience a lot of things… especially long working hours. But on a more positive note, I am consistently surrounded by a rich legacy and history of people making whatever sacrifices were necessary to achieve the desired results. We're not going to get into the down sides of the job like people requesting tours of the Underground Railroad. I'll save that comedy for another post. But, I digress, let's get to the storyline of why I wrote this post *scene change*

I hadn't had a real day off in weeks, so I made a point to take the weekend off. For some reason I feel like completely changing atmospheres for a few days every now and then restores your mentally. So, I hopped a train, found a window seat, blasted some Badu in the headphones, and started adjusted my mindset to #VacationMode.

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Non-Conforming: Trail of Dreams

"Thank you to all who have dared to believe in what many call our "insanity". – Trail of Dreams

Let's talk about dreams. Some people dream about hitting the lottery, some want to make it big in the entertainment industry, and others just want to live a normal life, a life of equality. We all know it takes action for our dreams to become a reality. 

Four students from Florida, Felipe Matos, Gaby Pacheco, Carlos Roa, and Juan Rodriguez have made it their mission to walk from Florida to Washington, D.C. to fend for the right of U.S. Citizenship. The walk is named the "Trail of Dreams". All four have had the opportunity to attend college, gain exceptional insight to what motivates them but will never have the chance to share that because of their not being a U.S. Citizen. ( http://www.trail2010.org/about/) .

I had the opportunity to spend a whole day with them when they came to Greensboro. They went on a tour of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum and were moved by how much the struggles of the civil rights movement paralleled their struggle. As an added bonus, I took them to the campus of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University to show them the statue and bullet holes in the wall.

These students are making moves! They are gaining a buzz amongst the media and making their presence known. Who knows, you may spot them and want to join the movement! Check out the route of the trail here (http://www.trail2010.org/route/)

Non-Conforming: The Meaning Behind February One

On February 1st, 1960, four freshman students from NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL & TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY started what would be the most successful non-violent protest. These four students started what would be referred to as the Sit-In Movement by sitting at the segregated counters of F.W. Woolworth building and refusing to move until they were served.  This is the story in it's simplest form... I encourage you to do individual research to learn more about this great story.

Fifty years to the date, the International Civil Rights Center & Museum (ICRCM) will have it's grand opening on February 1st, 2010 in the exact same building.

READ MORE ABOUT THE MUSEUM AND GRAND OPENING ACTIVITIES --->