The 9 O’Clock Whistle, created by Willa Cofield and Karen Riley, shows how the actions of one marginalized community changed a segregated southern town forever. The film centers on Enfield, a racially segregated town of 5,000 residents in North Carolina. During the 1960’s, a loud siren would sound at 9 o’clock, dubbed the 9 o’clock whistle. The whistle would signal curfew for black residents in downtown Enfield so that white residents would have the area to themselves for the night. Fed up with countless instances of inequality such as the denial of employment at various white establishments and being denied service because of their skin color, the residents of Enfield began a movement spanning from 1963 to 1965 that would permanently transform the town. The 9 O’Clock Whistle, which showcases the impact of perseverance, resilience, and determination in the fight for racial equality in Enfield, North Carolina, opens the New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2021 on September 10.

The 9 o’clock whistle stood on top of the fire department, and it was meant to alert volunteer firemen that they were needed. Its secondary function was to notify blacks on Saturday nights at 9 p.m. to leave downtown Enfield and go home. The film details how racial discrimination against Enfield’s black residents affected their social interactions. There were separate schools, clubs, organizations and churches for blacks as social interaction with whites was unwelcome. Interviews with Enfield residents who were there detail how blacks were often taught to not look white people in the eye, and some police officers abused their power by bullying black people with unnecessary commands.

The film showcases the stark differences in the treatment of black customers and white customers in local businesses. In black owned businesses, black residents were treated fairly and with respect, but they could not expect the same from white owned businesses. In white owned businesses, black customers were met with separate seating and denial of certain liberties that white customers could enjoy. The film conveys photos of seating areas for white people of higher quality furnishing than that of blacks. White customers would always be served first and there would even be separate entrances for whites and blacks. In one restaurant, the waitresses were instructed to lock the door if they saw a black person approach it. This film shows how in every social aspect, there was a pressing need for change.

Black residents were historically shorthanded financially as well. Rural Enfield had many farms, and many black residents were sharecroppers who worked on fields that were owned by white residents. The film details how the workers would only receive a fraction of what they worked for. The 9 O’clock Whistle shows how a simple difference in skin color could mean financial hardship. This film displays how in every aspect of business, black people in Enfield were mistreated and undervalued by whites. However, the black residents would not stand for these injustices much longer.

The modest beginnings of the movement for racial equality is incredibly inspiring, since the resistance began with a small group of black youth and adults. It started in spring of 1963 when Reed Johnson walked into the Enfield town office and told the clerk that he wanted to run for town commissioner. The film describes how this action had incredible ripple effects that inspired new interest in politics for blacks in Enfield. Later on, residents would begin protesting a local movie theater, and other prejudiced shops. Participants describe individual transformations from being non-combative to being assertive and aggressive. Meetings for the protests would take place in the local funeral home, since many churches were reluctant to host such meetings. When residents assembled for these, outsiders could not tell whether there was a funeral, a wake, or a meeting, making the location ideal for being discreet. Reed Johnson’s action of running for town commissioner shows how one step in the right direction can have a domino effect of permanent change.



To combat protesting, the town passed an ordinance that no one under 21 could do it. The 9 O’clock Whistle showcases the determination of the black residents of Enfield as the adults simply took over for the youth. This film highlights the bravery of protesters that were willing to get arrested while standing up for what they believed in. Despite the ordnance, local youth continued to protest along with the adults. Protesters would be arrested repeatedly, but when the jails filled up, people from the countryside who heard about the protests began protesting in their place. The persistence of Enfield’s protesters made the town increasingly nervous, and the 9 o’clock whistle, which signaled for blacks to return home on Saturday nights, was sounded. No one moved. As a desperate attempt, the town officials called in state troopers with fire hoses to force protesters off the streets and arrests continued. Despite the backlash protesters received, the film highlights the incredible sense of pride in the black community to continue in their fight against injustice.

Black residents in Enfield never succumbed to being discouraged. They vowed to hit the town where it hurts: their pocket. Black residents agreed to never shop in downtown Enfield and to never attend the annual Firemen’s Fair, which was funded by locals, and white business owners were losing money. The unrelenting fight of the black community in The 9 O’clock Whistle also manifests in the Halifax county voters movement which helped to register thousands of black people in Halifax County to vote. In addition, Willa Cofield, a teacher involved in Enfield’s civil rights efforts, successfully sued the city and the county after being fired for her stance. Her efforts saved the jobs of 40,000 black teachers across the south with similar beliefs.

The 9 O’clock Whistle exemplifies how perseverance is rewarded with change. This film powerfully showcases how a refusal of complacency meant equal opportunity for black residents in Enfield. The efforts of the protesters facilitated the much-needed societal shifts in town and their unrelenting dedication changed the lives of future generations. Since the movement for racial equality, the town has had 5 black mayors and many more black commissioners. However, it was the brave residents that took to the streets and fought for better that paved the way.

Here is The 9 O’Clock Whistle Co-Director Willa Cofield introducing her film for the New Jersey Film Festival screening:

Be sure to check this film out at the New Jersey Film Festival (in-person or online) on Friday, September 10. It will be playing with Martin Del Carpio's beautiful experimental film The Dark Forest. Go here to buy tickets and for more info on this screening.