"We knew that this thing called love worked, this thing called patience."

From my 2009 interview with Franklin McCain, a key figure in the Greensboro sit-ins, who died this week.

More from McCain, who told me he had a Gandhi comic book as a kid:

"People don't know how to combat nonviolence -- when they do something to irritate or harm you, and you turn and say, 'I love you because you're my brother,' they say, 'What kind of nut is this?'"

"I was angry as hell about what was happening to us. A man can't live without a modicum of dignity. I felt I had nothing to lose. I had a commandment to do what I did. It was the less terrible choice."

I was fortunate to speak with Joseph McNeil and Ezell Blair Jr. for the column as well. This town owes an enormous amount to these local heroes and their commitment to non-violent social change.

(Photo by Lisa Scheer)

Comments

[sal leone]

Welcome Back

[sal leone]

Nice guy, met him at the City Council meetings, found out who he actually was later. Sad news to hear, even more reason to keep the museum going, its our past present and future