The Civil Rights Movement: The Role Of Desegregation In Public Schools

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59 years ago, nine Negro students attempted to enter an all white high school as regular students. Originally, there were ten students, but one backed out on their first day. The remaining students were terrorized, and yet idolized for their efforts in commencing desegregation in the education system. Research illustrates the courageous acts of the Little Rock Nine students ending the racial segregation in America’s society, positively and negatively, in an all white high school. These brave nine students were important catalysts for the desegregation of Central High high school, and played a role in the education aspect of the Civil Rights Movement. In an effort to slowly integrate public schools, Little Rock School Board develops the Blossom …show more content…

People of color did not carry the support of President Dwight Eisenhower in the Brown v. Board of Education dispute [which invented the Blossom Plan]. (“Miller 47”) Through history it is evident that plans are often not effective when they lack support from a person of higher authority, such as, a general leading his army to victory. To not have the support of their nation’s president, the country’s father, the African Americans became discouraged. These audacious nine students did not have anyone assuring them that their actions were for the appropriate thing. Plus, the students persistent harassment. (“LRN 1”) Segregationists despised these children wherever they went because of their skin color. Havoc reigned inside and outside of school damaging these young teens. Mobs and violence caused army troops to stay and “curb the threats” at Central High for two months, and National Guard remained there until school ended in May of 1958. (“LRN 1”)While the National Guard served as protection; all eyes were on the Little Rock Nine students. Integration could not follow the Blossom Plan’s criteria of being a slow and peaceful transition. Angry segregationists received desired attention from the media by causing havoc on the streets. In addition to having the outside terror; problems ensued in the partially integrated hallways of Central High high school. An African American …show more content…

The brave nine students may not have fully integrated, but they still impacted people. Not everything in an event will be positive and Little Rock Nine has taken part in that. These heroes were an inspiration to African Americans throughout the nation. These students became a symbol of courage and hope for other people of color. The group of Little Rock Nine commenced integration; ultimately, helping society positively and negatively through the desegregation of an all white high school.

Works Cited
"Integration of Central High School." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2016
"Little Rock Nine." Civil Rights in the United States. Ed. Waldo E. Martin, Jr. and Patricia Sullivan. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2000. U.S. History in Context. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.
"Little Rock Nine - Encyclopedia of Arkansas." Little Rock Nine - Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
Miller, Mara. "Pages 31, 32, 44-48, 54-59, 70-73, 90, 91, 100-109, 114-116." School
Desegregation and the Story of the Little Rock Nine. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2008.

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