Little Rock Nine - By: Chris P. Bacon
On September 4, 1957 a group on nine black kids were going to their first day at the integrated high school Little Rock Central High in Arkansas. To their suprise state guards wouldn't let the nine black kids enter. And a war between state government and federal government started.
The blossom plan was created by Virgil Blossom, the superintendent of Little Rock schools. The blossom plan was created to slowly integrate schools. Original plans stated that elementary schools would be the first to integrate, but due to complaints it was changed. After the changes Virgil Blossom started integration at the high school in 1957, junior high in 1960, and elementary in 1963. On February 8, 1956 the plans were made mandatory by court. The integration had started.
Melba Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Karlmark, Carlotta Lanier, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Trickey, and Thelma Wair were going to their first day at Little Rock Central High School when guards wouldn't let them in by order of Orval Fabous the governor of AR. That afternoon a federal judge ordered Fabous to let the kids go. Elizabeth Eckford tried to enter the next day when angry whites mobbed her, spat on her, and cursed at her and again guards wouldn't let her and the others in the school. Furious federal judges ordered Fabous to let the kids go to the school the next day. Fabous took out any protection for the kids, and they only got to one class before being sent home because of mobs. President Eisenhower then sent in federal troops to protect the kids for the rest of the year. Although next year all Little Rock schools were shutdown, Reopening the following year
During the school year the nine teenagers experienced some of the worst human nature possible. Ernest Green (one of the black kids) was going to take his PE shower when he felt glass go through his foot. Kids had laid broke glass on the shower floor to hurt him. Melba Beals states that some students flung acid into her eyes attempting to blind her. “They where like so many of the adults around us, content to pretend that all was well....but we knew better” said Melba Beals. People even through burning paper, and dynamite at the nine black students. Strangling, hitting, spitting on, and cursing also accrued.
The Little Rock Nine lead a revolutionary event to end segregation in schools everywhere. Dealing with hate, bullying, and violence the nine showed bravery and courage.Ernest Green Said "They used to call Arkansas 'the land of opportunity,' and black people said,'Opportunity for whom? Today, we can say 'opportunity for all,' and Arkansas can be proud of this moment."
Bibliography
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melba_Beals
-"Warriors Don't Cry
On September 4, 1957 a group on nine black kids were going to their first day at the integrated high school Little Rock Central High in Arkansas. To their suprise state guards wouldn't let the nine black kids enter. And a war between state government and federal government started.
The blossom plan was created by Virgil Blossom, the superintendent of Little Rock schools. The blossom plan was created to slowly integrate schools. Original plans stated that elementary schools would be the first to integrate, but due to complaints it was changed. After the changes Virgil Blossom started integration at the high school in 1957, junior high in 1960, and elementary in 1963. On February 8, 1956 the plans were made mandatory by court. The integration had started.
Melba Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Karlmark, Carlotta Lanier, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Trickey, and Thelma Wair were going to their first day at Little Rock Central High School when guards wouldn't let them in by order of Orval Fabous the governor of AR. That afternoon a federal judge ordered Fabous to let the kids go. Elizabeth Eckford tried to enter the next day when angry whites mobbed her, spat on her, and cursed at her and again guards wouldn't let her and the others in the school. Furious federal judges ordered Fabous to let the kids go to the school the next day. Fabous took out any protection for the kids, and they only got to one class before being sent home because of mobs. President Eisenhower then sent in federal troops to protect the kids for the rest of the year. Although next year all Little Rock schools were shutdown, Reopening the following year
During the school year the nine teenagers experienced some of the worst human nature possible. Ernest Green (one of the black kids) was going to take his PE shower when he felt glass go through his foot. Kids had laid broke glass on the shower floor to hurt him. Melba Beals states that some students flung acid into her eyes attempting to blind her. “They where like so many of the adults around us, content to pretend that all was well....but we knew better” said Melba Beals. People even through burning paper, and dynamite at the nine black students. Strangling, hitting, spitting on, and cursing also accrued.
The Little Rock Nine lead a revolutionary event to end segregation in schools everywhere. Dealing with hate, bullying, and violence the nine showed bravery and courage.Ernest Green Said "They used to call Arkansas 'the land of opportunity,' and black people said,'Opportunity for whom? Today, we can say 'opportunity for all,' and Arkansas can be proud of this moment."
Bibliography
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melba_Beals
-"Warriors Don't Cry