Jesse Jackson and the Greenville 8

In January of 1960, a young Jesse Jackson was back in his hometown of Greenville, SC on break from college. He was in the midst of writing a paper and needed a specific book. However, he could not find the book at the small and understocked negro library he visited regularly. He was told that the book could be ordered for him but it would take six days for it to arrive, but this timeline was not sufficient. So, he did the next logical thing, he visited the bigger and better stocked main library, but as he entered the building he was told that he was not allowed to utilized their services. In that moment he knew that he had to do something. 

He was undeterred and his resolve was clear, he began making plans for his return to Greenville in the summer. Coincidentally, young Jesse Jackson was not the only one who sought a change, 20 African American high school students were also frustrated with not having access to the main library in Greenville. In March of 1960 they began efforts to desegregate the main library. Their efforts were unsuccessful, in an effort to thwart the peaceful protests the main library closed its doors to all patrons black and white. Sometime later a group of 7 students returned to the library. However, this time they were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and accused of breaking state and city codes.  Upon his return to Greenville that following summer Jesse Jackson went straight to work alongside 7 students (Dorris Wright, Hattie Smith Wright, Elaine Means, Willie Joe Wright, Benjamin Downs, Margaree Seawright Crosby, and Joan Mattison Daniel) to resume peaceful demonstrations at the Greenville Public Library. 

These brave young individuals were aided by Reverend James S. Hall Jr who served as President of South Carolina’s chapter of the NAACP and ardently supported the students who participated in the earlier series of library protests. And thus, the Greenville 8 were established, a name they would soon be referred to during their efforts to desegregate. On the morning of July 16, the 8 set out for the main library to begin their peaceful demonstrations, but once they arrived they were met by police. The officers warn them that any attempt to remain on library property would result in their arrest. Nonetheless, with the encouragement of Rev.Hall they returned to the library later that day. Joan Mattison Daniel spoke about her experience during the protest, with American Libraries in 2017 saying, “Some of us got a book, and others browsed the shelves.” The eight students were asked multiple times to leave the premises but refused to leave or even speak. 

The police were eventually called and all eight were arrested and held at the jail for 40 minutes until a local attorney, Donald J. Sampson and Reverend Hall arrived and were able to successfully get all eight students released. After this dramatic turn of events there were no more sit-ins or protest at the Greenville Main Library. However, the fight for desegregation was far from over. On July 30, 1960 The Eight, along with their mentor Rev. Hall and attorney Donald J. Sampson filed a lawsuit against the library so they would have to integrate. In response to the lawsuit the library elected to permanently close their doors to all members of the community. This decision was rash and cruel, and revealed just how deeply shrouded in racism and bigotry many institutions in the south were. Nevertheless, times were changing and the oppressive structure of Jim Crow and segregation were beginning to topple. The Greenville Eight won their case and a judge ordered the library to integrate. They however refused stating they were no longer an operating library and therefore could not integrate. They accused the Greenville Eight of causing harm, disrupting the community and creating falsities about the differences between the negro library and the ‘whites only’ public library. 

Despite the efforts of the main library officials by September of that year the pressure to reopen from the community was intense and did not show any signs of letting up. The pressure was too great and on September 19, 1960 the public library relented and finally reopened their doors, which also meant that they must integrate their library. 

After a hard-fought battle involving peaceful and nonviolent protest, the Greenville Eight were successful in integrating the public library and eventually uniting a once-divided community. Yes, numbers have strength, but so does the determination of a few. Desegregating any establishment founded on racism is a difficult task by any standard, regardless of the number of participants. However, these young people demonstrated unwavering determination and never gave up. Regardless of our disagreements, it is critical that we as a community guarantee that all libraries remain free and open to the ALL members of the community.