Diary
The day is Wednesday, September 4, 1957, my first day at Central High. I cannot wait for the opportunity to go to Little Rock Central High School. The school is seven blocks long and three stories tall. I used to go to Horace Mann High School until the Governor, Orval Faubus, passed the law that segregation of schools was unconstitutional. This new law made it possible for eight kids and I to attend an all white school. I was asked at school one day if I wanted to go to Little Rock Central High School and I said I raised my hand. I really want to attend because it’s a great school with a great education. I don’t want people to think I can’t do things because I’m black. Most people don’t think blacks can do more than clean, and I want to get a great education from Little Rock Central High School and get a great job. It’s the morning of my first day and I decided to keep a diary of my experience at Little Rock Central High School. I am very nervous for my first day. I am scared of how the white parents and students will react. I know some parents will be upset with me for attending the school because most white parents yell at me when I walk on the same side of the street as them. I’m very scared, however, my excitement has taken over the butterflies in my stomach. I hope some parents are accepting of the other eight black kids and me. I am very excited for the rest of today. Wish me luck.
The day is Thursday, September 5, 1957 and yesterday was my first day at Central High. It didn’t go exactly as I expected. I was hoping to walk in with the other eight students and meet new friends. However, when I arrived with my mother, I saw Elizabeth Eckford being harassed by white men and women chanting and holding signs. My mother and I looked at each other then ran. We tried to escape the mob, but they saw us and before we knew it, we had white men on our heels. The white men chased us as they threatened to rape my mother and me. I thought it couldn’t get worse until they grabbed tree branches and starting swinging at us as we ran. I couldn’t believe it. I knew parents would be upset, but I never thought parents could be this rude. Why should the way I’m treated be determined by of my skin color? When I walk on the same side of the street as whites, they shout and yell at me. What makes whites better than blacks? However, I am hopeful for today, but I don’t why. I will never be treated how I want to, alll because I am black.
The day is Thursday, September 12, 1957, a week after my last diary entry. Governor Orval Faubus has ordered Arkansas National guard to surround the school. The National Guard’s job is to keep black students out. The soldiers are not supposed to segregate us or desegregate us, just there to keep us out. I don’t think it’s fair. I’m stuck in my home without the chance for a good education while they get to be educated at a great school. What makes white people think they are better than black people? I have also been very lonely these last few weeks. Yesterday, was the third time the angry mob came back to my house chanting from outside. The angry white people threatened to kill my family if I ever came close to the school again. Momma told me not to listen to them. She says they are just saying that to make me scared, and if that's true, it worked. I’m scared out of my mind. I haven’t been able to leave the house all week. I haven’t been able to talk to my friends either. I’ve just been stuck in my house, scared and alone. If I leave the house, the whole white community in Little Rock will harass me.
The day is Friday, September 20, 1957, and I got great news yesterday. Our Federal Judge, Ronald Davies, ordered Governor Faubus to remove the National Guard from the Central High School’s entrance. This will allow us to enter the school and for the Little Rock Central High to integrate which the federal judge thinks is a great thing. However, Orval Faubus did not listen and kept the National guard at the school today. To solve the problem, President Dwight Eisenhower dispatched nearly 1,000 paratroopers to join the 10,000 Arkansas National Guard troops. The paratroopers will be there to ensure that the school would be open to the eight students and me. I am very excited to start my day back on Monday. Because today is Friday, I have to wait till Monday for my first day. I’m very scared due to our last time trying to enter the school. This time, however, I am supposed to have a body guard so at least I will be safe. I really want to go to Little Rock Central High School because you can get a great education and to give up on such a great school seems silly. It’s a great school and I think the education is worth the harassment.
The day is Monday, September 23, 1957, and today I had my first day back to Little Rock Central High School. To ensure our safety, the Federal Judge ordered Arkansas National Guard to surround the school. Also, the 101 war division came in to escort us to our classes. The nine of us all have our own bodyguard. My bodyguard’s name is Danny. He stands outside all the classes while I am in them and walks with me in between classes to ensure my safety. However, just because Danny is there, does not mean I am completely safe. The white students our very rude to us. As I walk among them they shout at me and pour water on me. The other eight black students that enrolled with me are also being harassed. We are only 9 students out of 2,500 students. We stuck together at lunch today. The teachers act as if we are not there and as if we have no potential in life. Today, the students shunned me to make us feel worthless. I would be lying if I said it wasn't working.
The day is Monday, September 30, 1957, a week since my last entry. I have been very busy with my homework from my new high school. I enjoy the classes at Little Rock Central High School, however, my social life is miserable. Big groups of people still come to my home shouting threats at my family and me. I still get harassed at school. However, every time they spray acid in my eyes, Danny, my body guard, helps wash it out and make sure I feel okay. Without him, I would be miserable. I am very thankful for the 101 war division and Danny keeping us safe. I feel safe even when I am being harassed. I hope I get a great education and find some new friends.
Today is June 8, 1958 and I just graduated from Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa. A foster family took me in and I moved to california where I attended Montgomery High. I then graduated from Montgomery High School and I am still scared to place a foot at Little Rock Central High School. I was harassed so badly going anywhere near there scares me. The whites still came to my house and bullied me in class. I never talk about those days at Little Rock High, I was harassed so badly. My future plan is to go to San Francisco University and graduate with a BA journalism. Little Rock Central High School was not worth all the harassment. No fame is worth all the harassment I went though.