… at last! or is it? …
2008 AD
the United States of America has elected a black president – their first ever black president.
It is an event I did not expect to see in my lifetime.
I am in disbelief.
Why?
There has been many notable first blacks in the country’s sad and often unpleasant history.
On a day when history is about to be re-written,
I can only think of
one person – Elizabeth Eckford
one school – Little Rock Central High School
and the one event – Little Rock Nine
that never failed to leave me in speechless anger,
everytime I remember
and for as long as I can remember.
Little Rock Nine
1957 AD
Nine students who had been chosen to attend Central High because of their excellent grades.
They were nine black students.
Central High was a racially segregated school.
September 4:
Segregationist “citizens’ councils” threatened to hold protests and physically block the black students from entering the school. The Governor Orval Faubus had deployed the Arkansas National Guard to support the segregationists.
On that first day of school, only one of the nine students – Elizabeth Eckford
showed up because she did not receive the phone call about the danger of going to school.
Elizabeth Eckford is depicted in this photograph taken by Will Counts in 1957
She was harassed by White Americans outside the school, and the police had to take her away in a patrol car to protect her.
September 24:
President Dwight Eisenhower sent in the 101st Airborne to escort nine students to school.
153rd Infantry, a Task Force had to hastily organized taking over the entire operation when the paratroopers left and remained on duty until the end of the school year.
October 3:
Georgia Dortch and Jane Emery,
editors of Central High’s student newspaper The Tiger, editorialize:
“Looking back on this year will probably be with regret that integration could not have been accomplished peacefully, without incident, without publicity.” The editors encourage “each individual to maintain a sensible, peaceful neutrality; to accept the situation without demonstration, no matter what personal views are entertained; and to make these, your years in Little Rock Central High School, the happiest and most fruitful of your academic education.”
How long will it take to finally erase all these memories?
How long does it take to right the wrongs?
Fifty years, it seems, hasn’t been long enough.
The Legacy of Little Rock
Juan Williams Thursday, Sep. 20, 2007
The 50th anniversary of the Little Rock school crisis is a powerful lesson in the complicated calculus of social change.
Earlier this year the U.S. Mint issued a silver dollar commemorating the event, and throughout the anniversary’s week there will be other observations marking this turning point in U.S. history. But the joy will be somewhat muted, for American schools are still nearly as segregated as they were 50 years ago.
Fifty years after U.S. troops had to escort nine black children to school in Little Rock, the issue is still how to take race out of the equation when it comes to educating every American child.
The students had written the editorial fifty years ago.
The observation in the Time US was made only a year ago – fifty years hence.
Equality is not confirmed overnight by the election of a president,
it will come only on the day every American child is truly considered as equals.
Its over to each one of you,
each american citizen …
America
equality
Earthpal said this on November 5th, 2008 at 17:30
Well said Little Indian. Racism still exists in America, without a doubt. I am excited about Obama but sure, he has to deliver. I think perhaps the world is expecting too much of one man.
Still, George Bush is on his way out. That can only be a good thing. A very good thing.
Earthpal said this on November 5th, 2008 at 17:36
Oh and yes I remember the Little Rock Nine incident. Well I don’t remember it because I wasn’t born then, but I know of it. Speechless anger is my reaction too.
littleindian said this on November 5th, 2008 at 17:40
Thanks earthie,
There had to be someone of the likes of GW Bush, a disgrace to the entire humanity, in office
to make America finally elect a black president.
opit said this on November 23rd, 2008 at 20:39
Now there’s a thought .Obama as Bush’s legacy….that’s actually funny…or scary.
littleindian said this on November 23rd, 2008 at 21:37
Thanks opit,
in my understanding I remain convinced that if there was no GW Bush – there could not have been a black ‘President’.
I didn’t think of it as a legacy,
but it really is, isn’t it?
mysoul said this on November 28th, 2008 at 17:01
Yes, this did surprise me, but I was more surprised at McCain’s choice for VP… Seriously, wasnt there any other woman on earth for him to choose from? Glad its over. Glad for the change of scene in the White house…. and with that I fervently hope Mr. Obama will live up to at least 50% of what we hope he will deliver. Yes! I am being lenient cause I want to be in the same place as I stand now when the Media will do the “Pulling him down from the Pedestal”