Living History

Mr. James Armstrong. 80yrs old and still self employed

Today I had the privilege to meet and talk with Mr. James Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong has been a self-employed barber for decades. Mr. Armstrong is the father to first successfully integrate Birmingham Public Schools. He first filed his petition in 1957, but it was not until September, 10, 1963 when his sons Dwight and Floyd entered Graymont Elementary. We talked in his barbershop for over an hour about that day and events that followed. Among the comments that stood out was when he said that numerous people and all his siblings had encouraged him to leave Birmingham, but of those people he was the only one still alive. It was an amazing experience if not life changing. It's not everyday you get the chance to talk with living history.

CJE

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