Weekly Reflection: Two Septembers – Bravery and Backlash

Sixty Five years ago this week on September 25, 1957 nine Black students integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. During September in took three attempts and the deployment of the federal troops before the nine students were finally admitted to the school. Even though this was three years after the famous Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that ruled segregated public education unconstitutional, Southern states including Arkansas participated in a campaign of Massive Resistance to school integration. The bravery of the Black students who became known as the Little Rock Nine was not limited to gaining admission to Central High School. Throughout the 1957-58 academic year, they were subjected to constant verbal and physical harassment by some white students as well as racist resistance to integration by many white citizens and authorities. The commitment, perseverance, and bravery of the Little Rock Nine played a major part in the struggle for integrated education and racial justice. The video posted below provides a small glimpse into their bravery through the eyes of Ernest Green, the only senior of the Little Rock Nine.

A year later in September 1958, the backlash to the Little Rock Nine resulted in the state of Arkansas closing the public high schools of Little Rock with the support of an overwhelming majority of white city voters. The academic year of 1958-59 became known as the “lost year.” Many white students attended private segregated schools while the Black students had to move to another locality or another state to continue their education. This is just one example of the sacrifices Black people continued to make for racial equality even after federal laws were passed outlawing racial segregation. It is also another example of the lengths to which white people were willing to go to resist change for greater racial justice. The cycle of bravery and backlash has been part of history of race in our nation from its beginning and continues in various forms today. Looking back to the struggle of the Little Rock Nine, it is clear who was on the right side of history. What side of history will you and I be on in our time?