Ezell Blair Jr.: Difference between revisions
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Latest revision as of 11:44, 17 March 2025
Ezell Blair Jr.[edit]
Ezell Blair Jr., also known as Jibreel Khazan, is a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement. He is best known as one of the "Greensboro Four", a group of African American college students who initiated the Greensboro sit-ins at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960. This act of nonviolent protest was a pivotal event in the struggle for racial equality in the United States.
Early Life[edit]
Ezell Blair Jr. was born on October 18, 1941, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He grew up in a supportive family environment that valued education and civic responsibility. Blair attended Dudley High School, where he was an active member of the student council and the National Honor Society.
Education[edit]
Blair enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), where he studied sociology. It was during his time at NC A&T that Blair became deeply involved in the civil rights movement. He was influenced by the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and the principles of nonviolent resistance.
The Greensboro Sit-ins[edit]
On February 1, 1960, Ezell Blair Jr., along with Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond, sat down at the "whites-only" lunch counter at the Woolworth's store in downtown Greensboro. They politely asked for service and, when refused, remained seated in protest. This act of defiance sparked a wave of similar sit-ins across the country, challenging segregation laws and practices.
The Greensboro sit-ins were a catalyst for the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which played a significant role in the civil rights movement.
Later Life and Legacy[edit]
After the sit-ins, Blair continued his education and activism. He graduated from NC A&T in 1963 and later changed his name to Jibreel Khazan. He worked in various roles, including as a teacher and counselor, and remained committed to social justice causes.
Blair's contributions to the civil rights movement have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. The Greensboro sit-ins are commemorated at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, located in the former Woolworth's building.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
- "Civil Rights Movement: Greensboro Sit-ins." International Civil Rights Center & Museum. Retrieved from [1]
- "Ezell Blair Jr. Biography." Biography.com. Retrieved from [2]
