The 50th Anniversary of Houston's First Sit In

Students at Texas Southern University recently attended a ceremony on Thursday March 4

honoring the members of Houston's first sit in. March 4 marks the historic date in which eight black students from Texas Southern University marched and sat in an all White diner on March 4, 1960 in an attempt to end segregation and Jim Crow laws in Houston. Those eight students marched from the camous of Texas Southern to an all White diners nearby on 4110 Almeda Rd titled Wine Gardens. At that restaurant, those eight students sat quietly for hours sitting at the counters hoping to be served but were ignored the entire time. After this first unsuccessful attempt to end segregation, the studenst led more and more sit ins at other all White places, and this sparked a number of sit ins by African Americans across the city of Houston. Today those students, now alumni are being recognized for the 50th Aniversary of this event.

Those eight members attended the commencement ceremony and sat in front of TSU students as Journalism Professor Serbino Walker gave a speech on the what the honorees did and why they are being recognized. This speech was then followed by Texas Southern University's jazz ensemble who performed the Black National Anthem. After the performance, the students watched a brief documentary on the eight honorees and the history of segregation in Houston and the nation. The eight honorees also gave their testimonies on their experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. After the commencement ceremony was over, the students then led a march down to 4110 Almeda Rd where a post office now sits, singing the spiritual, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around." At the post office the students stood as Houston Mayor Annise Parker, TSU student Derek Hawkins, and Dean of Students Dr. James Ward, and some of the pioneers gave personal speeches on what the event meant to them. Afterward, the crowd gathered around to see the unveiling of the historic mark, that will be a reminder to anyone who passes, of what event happened on that street half a century ago.

The pioneers incuded the Rev. Earl Allen, John Bland, Deanna Lot Burrell, Holly HogoBrooks, Otis King, Rev. Bill Lawson, Haylcon Sadberry, and Eldreary Stearns.