The lessons in 'Walls that Bleed'
Friday's No. 2 editorial.
In 2002, three years before the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission was created, Michael Anthony Williams began piecing together information on one of the city’s more important — and often overlooked — historical events: the Dudley High School/N.C. A&T “Student Revolt” of 1969. Tonight, “Walls that Bleed,” the documentary that resulted from six years of effort by Williams and many other local people, premieres at 7 at A&T’s Harrison Auditorium. It also runs Oct. 6-11 at the Carousel Cinemas. Those interested in Greensboro’s history, especially its civil rights history, should see it.
The almost two-hour documentary intersperses archival photos and footage with recent interviews to tell the story of how a protest of an election at Dudley led to a community’s larger civil-rights-focused protest.
Administrators wouldn’t put Claude Barnes on the ballot for student body president at the segregated high school because they considered him too radical. Yet that didn’t stop students from writing his name in. Barnes got the most votes but wasn’t allowed to serve. A student protest grew to encompass many from A&T and elsewhere in the city, who also raised related issues, and resulted in the National Guard being called in.
Tragically, it also led to A&T student Willie Grimes being killed one night by an unknown gunman.
A panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at A&T’s Gibbs Hall will give the public a chance to ask questions about the film and the times: Williams and Barnes (now a political science professor at A&T), along with historian William Chafe and former Greensboro Mayor Jack Elam, are participating.
Are issues raised by the 1969 protesters still issues in the city now? Why has this event, which involved local people, been eclipsed in memory by the 1979 Klan-Nazi shooting, which involved many not from the city? These are just two questions the film raises for us.
Greensboro’s bicentennial isn’t just for celebrating the city’s history but for reflecting on it. “Walls that Bleed” (myspace.com/wallsthatbleed) provides an opportunity for such reflection.
Comments (6)
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I think I'll skip this - I'm betting its just more of the same -
Posted on October 3, 2008 9:03 AM
Excellent synopsis Allen.
The historical socio-economic significance of this event cannot be overstated as it applies to the subsequent changes that have occurred since that time--and its place in the pantheon of Greensboro civil righs activity.
The question of whether issues that existed at that time are still in existence is, of course, rhetorical. Racism, classism, sexism and all of the other "isms" that were addressed in 1969 and before are still with us. The documentary explores this.
I was unable to attend the premier yester-evening. However, I was one of the interviewees for this documentary. Mr. Williams and associates were most professional, well-researched, engaging, informative and most of all, in my opinion, examples of the current vanguard protecting and projecting human rights.
I am deeply moved and appreciative that Walls That Bleed places the 1969 Student Revolt in proper historical context to overall civil rights struggle--especially given Greensboro's role in the national struggle. Kudos to the ancestors and all involved.
Posted on October 4, 2008 3:20 AM
Your editorial is on the mark. The film deserves a a wide audience. Thank you for your observations.
Posted on October 6, 2008 8:14 AM
Hi Mr. Johnson,
My father, Vincent McCullough, was the Student Body President at NCA&T during the time of this event. It is my understanding that when Mr. Barnes was not elected that the Student Government Association at NCA&T was called upon to help. My dad was the leader of the SGA at the time and was very instrumental in leading the protests at Dudley High School. I have not yet seen the documentary but I've heard this story over the years & will be very interested to see how Mr. Barnes, Mr. Williams, & Ms. Brown tell the story. Furthermore, I find it all the more interesting that as this story is told time & time again, one of the key leaders of the events is often left out. Mr. Barnes & Rev. Nelson Johnson both remember my father. Rev. Johnson did his eulogy when he died a few years ago & had many fond words to say about how great a leader he was. However, when it's time to tell a more important story of extreme historic significance to the City of Greensboro, they conveniently forget that had he not been there none of them would have done what they did.
Posted on October 7, 2008 12:47 PM
Dear Ms. McCullough:
Your dad is a champion. Don't worry. History has a way of revealing itself in diverse ways. In time, many more opportunities will come forth to uncover many people involved--from the most visibly profiled to the those who flung chemical explosives back at "law enforcement" agengies.
I remember your father and so do many others. Give thanks that the seminal story is being told so that the more inclusive (micro detailed) one has opportunity to flourish.
Posted on October 15, 2008 5:34 AM
Walls that bleed was great.
Ever sense I was 9 in 1985, I wondered about this time and why the city didn't talk about it much.
This film really gives you a feeling of the times and it was refreshing that so many were willing to share they're experiences so we can all learn from this time that might have been forgotten if they never told the real story.
Posted on November 30, 2008 2:35 PM