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GREENSBORO, N.C. -
As assistant counsel for the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP in the 1960s, J. Kenneth Lee wasn't surprised to be chosen to represent four North Carolina A&T students who took a stand against segregation at the Woolworth's on Elm St.
Lee was the first to file suit in North Carolina courts to integrate a number of facilities, including the Woolworth's. At one time during the sit-ins, Lee had more than 1,700 cases on the docket.
"The bulk of the sit-ins were right here in the middle district of Durham, Greensboro. I went as far as Statesville," he said during a recent interview.
Lee knew representing blacks or whites in civil rights cases would put his life in danger. Several firebombs were thrown at his house and office.
But Lee didn't let this steer him off track. He was determined to change the law by any means necessary.
"You name it. Everything they could throw at you, they threw at you. The only issue was whether the law was constitutional that required segregation," he said.
Lee did much of his civil rights cases for free. Only on occasion did he get paid.
"I bet if I added every cent I ever got practicing law, every cent I spent practicing law, I wouldn't break even," Lee said.
But 50 years later, the money doesn't matter so much to Lee. Although he can't attend the opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum due to health reasons, he has not regrets for his work during the 60s. He's glad he was one of the people, along with the students, that broke the chain of segregation.
"I admire them," he said. "I told them so."
Lee was the first to file suit in North Carolina courts to integrate a number of facilities, including the Woolworth's. At one time during the sit-ins, Lee had more than 1,700 cases on the docket.
"The bulk of the sit-ins were right here in the middle district of Durham, Greensboro. I went as far as Statesville," he said during a recent interview.
Lee knew representing blacks or whites in civil rights cases would put his life in danger. Several firebombs were thrown at his house and office.
But Lee didn't let this steer him off track. He was determined to change the law by any means necessary.
"You name it. Everything they could throw at you, they threw at you. The only issue was whether the law was constitutional that required segregation," he said.
Lee did much of his civil rights cases for free. Only on occasion did he get paid.
"I bet if I added every cent I ever got practicing law, every cent I spent practicing law, I wouldn't break even," Lee said.
But 50 years later, the money doesn't matter so much to Lee. Although he can't attend the opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum due to health reasons, he has not regrets for his work during the 60s. He's glad he was one of the people, along with the students, that broke the chain of segregation.
"I admire them," he said. "I told them so."
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