The Little Rock Nine is a group of African Americans, who were chosen to integrate a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. The names of the nine are Thelma Mothershed Wair, Elizabeth Ann Eckford, Gloria Ray Karlsmark, Jefferson A. Thomas, Melba Patillo Beals, Ernest Green, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, and Terrence D. Roberts. Prior to their enrollment, black and white students had to attend separate schools. Majority of the white citizens did not like the plan. Some threatened violence and the governor turned the situation into a political issue. The events in Little Rock supports the idea that a small group of citizens can change the world. But, the fact that larger institutions also contributed to the desegregation of
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They had the 14th Amendment to the constitution that granted all Americans equal protection of the laws. But in southern states, Jim Crow laws still kept several blacks from voting, attending school, and living in certain areas. The Governor Faubus of Arkansas defied a court order upholding desegregation of the schools, and sent the Arkansas National Guard to help Little Rock residents block the students out. The nine and their families were taunted, beaten, and threatened with lynching. September 4, 1957 the street where Central High was located was noisy, crowded, and charged with an atmosphere of violence. The state National Guard barred their entry to the school. The nine were advised to not show up on the first day due to the outraged mob surrounding the school. But on the third day, Elizabeth Eckford tried to enter the high school, but the guardsmen raised their bayonets to block her way. Elizabeth and the others that came later had to return home.Three weeks later, federal judge Davies ordered the governor to remove the troops and the nine students entered Central for the first time. The nine were met with a strong mob of angry white people and …show more content…
Minnijean Trickery was overwhelmed with emotions when she retraced her steps with President Clinton and she said, “it was pretty strong symbolism.” Carlotta was asked what did she think life at her new school would be like she said, “Yes, I saw all of the anger, and the ugly faces across the street, but I ignored them, and I really did consider them ignorant people. To be honest with you, that is what really got me through the whole year, that I knew this was ignorance that was making these statements and not the type of people that I would associate with.” According to John Leland and Vern Smith “Echoes of Little Rock”, Jefferson Thomas said, “it is bad that people are talking about resegregating schools because it was so hard to change it before.” The thought of resegregation unsettled the Nine and they began to think that they endured all of that for nothing. The Little Rock Nine endured a lot to change the world for better. They have helped African Americans access the same rights and opportunities as the white people. It took a small group that was accompanied by a larger institution to change the world. Since then the schools have been
They had the 14th Amendment to the constitution that granted all Americans equal protection of the laws. But in southern states, Jim Crow laws still kept several blacks from voting, attending school, and living in certain areas. The Governor Faubus of Arkansas defied a court order upholding desegregation of the schools, and sent the Arkansas National Guard to help Little Rock residents block the students out. The nine and their families were taunted, beaten, and threatened with lynching. September 4, 1957 the street where Central High was located was noisy, crowded, and charged with an atmosphere of violence. The state National Guard barred their entry to the school. The nine were advised to not show up on the first day due to the outraged mob surrounding the school. But on the third day, Elizabeth Eckford tried to enter the high school, but the guardsmen raised their bayonets to block her way. Elizabeth and the others that came later had to return home.Three weeks later, federal judge Davies ordered the governor to remove the troops and the nine students entered Central for the first time. The nine were met with a strong mob of angry white people and …show more content…
Minnijean Trickery was overwhelmed with emotions when she retraced her steps with President Clinton and she said, “it was pretty strong symbolism.” Carlotta was asked what did she think life at her new school would be like she said, “Yes, I saw all of the anger, and the ugly faces across the street, but I ignored them, and I really did consider them ignorant people. To be honest with you, that is what really got me through the whole year, that I knew this was ignorance that was making these statements and not the type of people that I would associate with.” According to John Leland and Vern Smith “Echoes of Little Rock”, Jefferson Thomas said, “it is bad that people are talking about resegregating schools because it was so hard to change it before.” The thought of resegregation unsettled the Nine and they began to think that they endured all of that for nothing. The Little Rock Nine endured a lot to change the world for better. They have helped African Americans access the same rights and opportunities as the white people. It took a small group that was accompanied by a larger institution to change the world. Since then the schools have been