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Revision as of 17:04, 10 February 2025
Ezell Blair Jr.
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
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
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
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
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.
