White Paper was an hour long news documentary program produced by NBC and offered for classroom use by McGraw-Hill Films. This episode, ”Sit-In,” broadcast December 20, 1960, is hosted by Chet Huntley and chronicles the events that occurred in Nashville, Tennessee, in the early half of 1960, marking the beginning of sit-ins across the South. Part One begins with African Americans entering a diner in Nashville, Tennessee and being told they could not be served. The film then shows students sitting in at counters in Woolworth’s, Kress, and other establishments that discriminate on the basis of skin color.
00:37 Judge John I. Harris, who found the students guilty of breaking the law, explains his decision. Intercut with trial footage, students marching to jail.
03:00 Lawyer George Barrett comments on the bi-racial citizens’ committee, the public reaction to the sit-in, and the economic purchasing power of the African American population while we see footage of African Americans shopping.
05:00 An African American activist talks about how the community was aroused by the sit-ins and the economic purchasing power of African Americans and the impact of their economic withdraw. Footage of African Americans shopping purchasing appliances, TVs, cars.
08:07 Four women from a bridge club explain how they got involved in the start of an economic boycott in Nashville and their personal experience in the fight for democracy. Footage of them playing bridge.
10:51 African American men in a barber shop voice the positive aspects of not purchasing anything downtown.
13:23 Various managers of downtown businesses explain how the boycott has effected their stores. Footage of near-empty downtown streets.
15:40 Footage of downtown boycotts, crowds, protests. A young Black man tells of his experience on March 2, 1960 being attacked and beaten by Whites. Footage of the Black and the White fighters being arrested.
17:32 Footage of the April 19, 1960 dynamiting of the home of Alexander Looby, the defense attorney representing the sit-in protesters. Diane Nash shares insights of how Looby defended them and how they wanted to confront Nashville’s mayor about the bombing of Looby’s home. A crowd of 3,000 African Americans walk to City Hall to confront the Mayor.
18:55 Mayor Ben West comments on the attempt on the attorney’s life and empathizes with the plight of the students. Footage of the crowd with Mayor West, Diane Nash, Reverend C.T. Vivian, Kenneth Frazier and Curtis Murphy of Tennessee A&I, Rodney Powell of Meharry, and others conferencing in front of City Hall.
22:50 Chet Huntley explains how the events in Nashville have affected the South.
23:39 An African American activist leader shares his opinion of the economic withdraw and the buying power of the African American on local business.
24:12 Various citizens of Nashville give their opinions on desegregation.
25:42 Rev. Kelly Miller Smith Jr. the impact the sit-ins had on the participants, helping them grow up.
26:20 Footage of a crowd of African Americans marching downtown to a new round of sit-ins. 27:00 Chet Huntley wraps up the story, legal questions still to answer, the realization of sit-ins and the demands of the protestors.
28:04 A group of students sing together in a university gymnasium.
29:13 END
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