Exploration Seven: Lillie Weber

After watching Ain't Scared of Your Jails, I have learned many things. One of which, is that if you truly believe in something, fight for it with nonviolence. Protest, boycott, it is more effective than violence. Not only this but in general if you believe in something hard enough there is nothing stopping you from speaking up and making a change. Another thing I have learned is that although things changed, it was still hard for some to change their views and morals that they were born and raised with. Not everyone has the want and desire to accept new views and ways of living. One quote from the mayor at the time of the sit ins, boycotts, and protests, Ben West, really resinated deeply with me and changed things for many White's in that day as well. He stated, " They asked me some pretty soul-searching questions. And one that was addressed to me as a man, and I tried as best I could to answer it frankly and honestly, that I could not agree that it was morally right for someone to sell them merchandise and refuse them service. And I had to answer it just exactly that way.Of course, I received considerable criticism for it, but had I to answer it again, I would answer it in the same way again because it was a moral question and it was one that a man has to answer and not a politician. " After that statement, African American's were served at the counter for the first time in downtown dine-ins.

Diane Nash was also a very prominent figure when these sit ins and protests were occurring. Being a strong, confident, determined female leader of protesting made me really route for her and listen to her more deeply. Within the documentary she stated, You know, if the Freedom Ride had been stopped as a result of violence, I strongly felt that the future of the movement was going to be just cut short because the impression would have been given that whenever a movement starts, that all that has to be done is that you attack it with massive violence and the blacks would stop." I truly believe this is the quote that simplifies the entire film. That is the whole purpose of being nonviolent, of not giving up, and being consistent.

One of the tactics used in promoting this movement was boycotting. The families of the protesters arrested mainly used this tactic as a way to get back store owners who believe in segregation. African Americans were the main source of income, so the fact that they stopped buying really damaged the shops income and reputation. This was an amazing, nonviolent way of proving their points. As the shop keepers grew more and more anxious with their lack of sales and failing businesses, they would try and get the mayor to change things within the city.