On Saturday, February 21st FOLSOI hosted its second 2026 installment of NC Reads, a statewide book club sponsored by NC Humanities. The program was held at Harper Library and featured the book Morningside: the 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul by Aran Shetterly.

This was no easy read. Rich with detail and historical context, Morningside presents an account of the 1979 murders of five activists, shot during a rally by members of the KKK and neo-Nazis. The book explores events leading up to the massacre and the long fight – through several court systems and many years – for justice. Shetterly nimbly demonstrates the courage required to make change in pursuit of equality and justice.

It was an honor to have the author join us at Harper Library for the book discussion, along with Professor Jennifer LeZotte, Director of UNCW’s Public History program. Prof LeZotte shed light on the prevailing racial and economic conflicts that plagued the late 1970s. Shetterly shared fascinating insights from hundreds of personal interviews he conducted during his ten years of research for the book.

When asked why he chose to write Morningside, Shetterly recounted a trip to see his father’s artwork at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro. While there, he was introduced to Reverand Nelson Johnson and his wife Joyce, former activists who would become the central characters in his book. Shetterly told us he was shocked by their account of the Greensboro massacre. As a journalist, he was motivated to learn “why I didn’t know about this.”

Most of us participating in this NC Reads program knew very little, or nothing, about the Greensboro massacre until we read Shetterly’s book. But there were a few members in each session who had lived in the Greensboro area during the 70s and 80s and added their personal perspectives to our discussions. Catherine Reams said this:

“The descriptions of the scenes in the book are accurate for the events.” She added that the personalities and demeanors of the people in the book reflect her recollections.  Ms. Reams was surprised to learn that other cities and states have visited Greensboro to learn how those challenges were handled.

Shedding light on this historically significant event underscored NC Humanities’ goal of bringing people together to understand the past and foster improvement in our future.

Morningside:  The 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul is available in the Brunswick County Library system.

For information on NC Reads, go to: https://nchumanities.org