Little+Rock+Nine

Although most of Little Rock, Arkansas was prepared to desegregate, the attempt to desegregate Central High School had many adverse reactions. In 1957, 50% of the students attending the University of Arkansas Graduate Program were African American. All of the libraries, parks, and buses were already integrated, yet it came as a shock when the high school admitted nine African-American students.

After the Brown v. Board of Education verdict, the Central High School’s school board found it necessary to comply with federal regulations regarding segregation. They admitted nine African-American students, soon to be known as the “Little Rock Nine”. The night before (September 3), Governor Orval Faubus announced to all of Arkansas that forceful integration would only cause a disruption in order, so it should not be allowed. After this, he called in the National Guard to surround the school.

The students did not come to school on the 3rd as the school board tried to get a court ordered desegregation. Upon arrival on the 4th, the National Guard blockaded their entrance, which was a direct challenge to the federal government.

On September 21st, thousands of segregationists from the South gathered around the school, chanting against the nine students. At this time, Daisy Bates, president of the Arkansas branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, led the students in a side entrance, ignoring the crowds. This further angered the protestors and white students, which caused the Little Rock mayor to be concerned about a possibility of violence. Bates announced that the black students would not attend unless they were under protection, for their safety.

President Eisenhower then made a nationally televised denouncement of the actions at Central High, calling them disgraceful and ordering the mob to disperse and for those who were obstructing federal law to stop. However, the next day an even larger crowd was found outside, for which the mayor called the Department of Justice. Eisenhower ordered 1000 troops to federalize the Arkansas National Guard members and to clear the school area. The federal troops escorted the kids to school, and remained there for two months. After that, the federalized National Guard remained at the school, unable to prevent bullying and discrimination, but providing protection to the Little Rock Nine. This contributed towards the civil rights movement and angered both sides of the national debate. [|(1)]

One of the Little Rock Nine

A student at Central High School

Emma Bailey