The Supreme Court ruled public school segregation to be unconstitutional in the Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954. Many school districts would work diligently to find ways to resist schools becoming integrated, but Little Rock Arkansas officials complied.
The largest school in the city, Central High, would be the home of Little Rock’s first steps into integration. Around 80 Black students were interviewed by school officials for a spot in the school’s upcoming enrollment. Only nine were chosen.
Melba Patillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Brown Trickey, and Thelma Mothershed Wair. Led by local Little Rock civil rights activist Daisy Lee Bates, these students became known as the Little Rock Nine.
On September 4th, 1957, the Little Rock Nine marched proudly into Central High alongside their military escorts. A sea of angry white students and parents shouted slurs and hurled items at them. The nine became iconic around the world for facing them head on.
Our lives are always going to be challenged by those who want to control and oppress us, especially when it comes to education and other resources that help us build better lives. But like these brave nine, we must stand 10 toes down for our collective progress.