Back To The Future: An Unforgetable Digital Experience.

One of the best museum experiences that I've had recently, was at the National Museum of African American History & Culture, viewing the Greensboro Woolworth's Lunch Counter Exhibit. This lunch counter was the sit of many sit in's lead by college students, during the 1960's civil rights movement era. Most famously seen in photographs with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Woolworth stores had a segregation policy of not serving blacks. All across the deep south, Woolworth counters (just like the Mongomery buses) became the target of mass resistance. African Americans would come in to Woolworth store and occupy the lunch counters, refusing to leave until the were served.

Growing up in Atlanta in the 70's, Woolworth's store were integrated and served everyone. My sister and I often would by ice cream from the in-store cafe at the neighborhood Woolwoth's store. However, when I looked at the images from the civil rights days and watched the video of police dragging students out of there seats, beating and arresting them for trying to be served at the same counter where whites were eating, it's horrifying and I certainly believe it, but I grew up benefiting from the change of that struggle.
 
So naturally I was over the moon, when I visited the Greensboro Woolworth's Lunch Counter Exhibit at the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Not only did NMAAHC have a piece of the original counter and sit in stools, they played actual live footage at the time, from the encounters with students and police during the sit-ins. I was overcome with emotions being that close to history. I never expected to experience a sit-in in my lifetime, but digital experience, paired with the material culture gave me and my kids an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to the world.

Learn more about the National Museum of African American History & Culture  Greensboro Woolworth's Lunch Counter Exhibit http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/greensboro-lunch-counter.