While researching and writing about the Little Rock Nine movement, I learned about the cruelty and torture that the nine brave African American boys and girls had to endure while going to school everyday. I realized this movement was the single most important strive for educational desegregation in the United States during the mid twentieth century. The racist slurs and lynching threats that the nine teenagers heard on a daily basis heading to school is disheartening and quite frankly, disgusting to read about.
I really did not have a perception on this topic because I was never afforded the opportunity to learn about this struggle in high school for one reason or another. However, when I did get the chance to read and research the issue, I felt more knowledgeable on the topic of desegregation in schools and the fight to create integration.
I think it would be interesting to know what it was like for Black children in schools in the North. I know that race relations were more tame in the North, but I'm not sure what school life was like for Blacks. I wonder if integration led to violence and death threats. I have a feeling that even though the Northern states were more progressive, there was still a lot of uproar surrounding integration.
ReplyDeleteWe did a unit on this in my African-American history class in high school, and I still remember my reaction to their story. I simply couldn't believe that these were kids my age, and they had the bravery to face harassment, violence, and possibly death to stand up for what they thought was right. I could only hope I would have that kind of courage in such an important situation.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point, Jordan. I am not really sure what integration in schooling was like in the North. It would definitely be something worth looking into considering the struggles that occurred in the South with desegregating.
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