Diary of a Sit-In (Blacks in the New World)

By Merrill Proudfoot

Book Overview

In early 1960 Merrill Proudfoot was a white Presbyterian clergyman on the faculty of the predominantly black Knoxville College. He agreed to join the students in staging sit-in protests if they first tried to negotiate the integration of downtown Knoxville's lunch counters and those negotiations failed. After the negotiations collapsed, Proudfoot fulfilled his part of the bargain, at first reluctantly but later with enthusiasm, and emerged as a prominent figure in the movement. The second edition of this work includes an extensive introduction by Michael Mayer that places Diary of a Sit-In in proper perspective in the movement for use of nonviolent direct action, a chronology of events, a new after word by the author, and illustrations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0252060628
• ISBN13: 9780252060625
• Release Date: March 1990
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

One of the best

This is one of the best, most sensitive accounts of the early days of the civil rights movement written by a teacher and philosopher. In some ways, the ideas are sadly dated: His personal debate over what to do when a young tough flicked a cigarette onto his overcoat -- what is the proper non-violent response? -- may seem antique in the days of Dirty Harry but is a window on our lost ability to reason ethically. This book is highly recommended -- a hidden gem.