When I was a junior in high school, my African American history class watched a 1981 made-for-TV movie called “Crisis at Central High” starring Joanne Woodward. It was the first time I’d ever heard of Little Rock Central High School and the Little Rock Nine, and I became fixated on the events surrounding what happened. Later, the movie appeared on HBO, and I was able to record it. This began my fascination with the Little Rock Nine and the turmoil surrounding integration in Little Rock, Arkansas.
If you haven’t heard or aren’t quite familiar, In 1957, the Little Rock Nine were a group of high school students who were selected for enrollment at Little Rock Central High. This was after the Brown v. Board of Education decision and the Fourteenth Amendment, declaring all laws establishing segregated schools unconstitutional.
These nine students, whose names are Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Patillo Beals, were selected to be the first Black students to enroll at Central High School in Little Rock. Many students, parents, board members, the community, and even the governor were up in arms about integrating the school. Hundreds of people surrounded the school, shouting, spitting, and doing everything else to stop the students from going inside.
The crisis got so bad that the National Guard was deployed by President Dwight D Eisenhower to ensure that the teens were able to get inside the school unharmed. This made worldwide news.
I’ve never forgotten this critical moment in history or the remarkable young people who risked their lives to go to school.
When I travel for work, I always try to see landmarks and other points of interest in the city I’m in. While in Little Rock on business, I took the opportunity to visit Little Rock Central High School. It is now part of the U.S. National Parks. The school is still functioning as a high school today, and across the street, they’ve erected a Little Rock Central High School Visitor Center, which takes you through the crisis.
If these walls could talk
While in the area, I walked a few of the neighboring streets, imagining what it felt like for those students. They were tormented for simply trying to obtain the education that was rightfully theirs. How difficult and scary it had to be to walk those sidewalks, not knowing if you were even going to make it to the inside.
I also noticed the houses nearby and thought about who lived in them during that time. Did they support the movement, or were they against it?
Understanding the sacrifice
When you watch the video footage and newsreels from that time, you can see the hate in the crowd’s eyes. The sacrifice that was made is something that we should never forget.
What a difference sixty-eight years make
During my visit, I saw a diverse group of teens walking outside of the school, being led on a guided tour. I thought about how this school had been the litmus test for integration, and now a group of multicultural students is the norm.
I am happy that I finally witnessed this up close and personal, and it’s something I will never forget.
If you are ever in Little Rock, Arkansas, I urge you to visit Central High School’s historic site and its Visitor’s Center. Entrance is free! Click HERE for more information.
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