It was the first test of the Supreme Court decision striking down the separate-but-equal doctrine that had kept schools legally segregated.
In September 1957, the nine black students trying to integrate Little Rock Central High School were repeatedly blocked by the Arkansas National Guard, under orders from the governor.
After weeks of crisis, on Sept. 25, President Eisenhower brought in the U.S. Army -- and the Little Rock Nine, as they came to be called, finally enrolled.
Today, Little Rock Central High School is more than half black and it is one of the best public high schools in the country, sending students each year to the nation's best colleges.
But while there is no longer anger between the races at Central, both teachers and students admit there is not much mixing either.
"I think Central is two schools," said teacher Cynthia Mahomes. "I'm not necessarily saying it is by design, but I think the way it happens, the reality ... is that there are two schools. ... There's a black school and a white school." ...
This from ABC News.
No comments:
Post a Comment