Today was another inspiring and enlightening day. After a riveting four hour lesson on the Little Rock Nine, we had the honor of officially meeting and spending time with Minijean Brown Trickey, one of the students who integrated Central High School in 1957. It was emotional watching my students learn about what happened at Central High. The nine students who bravely integrated Central High School were only fifteen and sixteen years old. They were harassed, threatened, and physically and verbally assaulted on a daily basis--just because they wanted a better educational experience. Watching the footage of these brave young people get out of the 101st Airborne Division station wagons each day, carrying their science projects and textbooks, really opened our eyes to the fact that they were just kids. High school is hard enough, and it is difficult to begin to imagine what their daily experience must have been like. To this day, Elizabeth Eckford (who we will meet later on in the trip) cannot discuss her experience because her emotional wounds are still unhealed. In 1957, Elizabeth's family did not have a phone. When the other Little Rock Nine students were contacted about where to meet on the first day of school, Elizabeth did not receive the information. A fifteen year old, Elizabeth rode the bus to school in a new dress her mother made her and stepped out into an angry mob. She walked two blocks by herself as the adults around her screamed obscenities, spit on her, and threatened her life. Watching the footage from 1957 as well as hearing Minnijean’s message about her experience and racism in our country today brought a lot of us to tears.
Tonight, we had the privilege of visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. We had the museum to ourselves, and the exhibits of Dr. King's life and legacy were enlightening and wonderfully well presented. My students read the disturbing segregation laws of various states, watched video footage of Dr. King’s speeches, and learned about the powerful influences on Dr. King’s life. We ended our day singing the anthem of the Freedom Struggle, “We Shall Overcome.” An inspiring way to end a great day…
The entrance to the King Center
Andrea and Meredith read about Dr. King's early life
Carmen and Tiffany working hard on their museum questions
Meredith reflecting on what she has seen
Jonathan and Evander watch video footage of Dr. King's funeral
Rebecca thinking about segregation laws
Meg and Meredith take a quick photo break!
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