Segregated lunch counters were a common form of racial segregation in the United States during the Jim Crow era, particularly in the South. These were spaces in diners, restaurants, and other establishments where Black people were either not allowed to sit and eat, or were required to use separate counters and seating areas from white customers.

The most well-known example of resistance to segregated lunch counters was the sit-in movement that gained momentum in the early 1960s. African American students, such as the Greensboro Four in North Carolina, would enter whites-only establishments and peacefully occupy seats at the lunch counter, refusing to leave until they were served. These protests were met with violent backlash from white segregationists, but they brought national attention to the injustice of segregation and played a significant role in the civil rights movement.

Ultimately, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation in public places, including lunch counters, paving the way for greater equality and integration. The legacy of the segregated lunch counter serves as a reminder of the resilience and bravery of those who fought against racial discrimination and inequality.