New York Times

 

 

On September 4, 1957, nine negroes had their first day at an all white school.  The governor, Orval Faubus, had just passed a new law that segregation was unconstitutional. The students at Horace Mann High School, an all black school, were asked who would want to attend Little Rock Central High School. Since, this school was very popular and a very smart school, eighteen brave kids raised their hands. One of these eighteen kids, Melba Patillo Beals, kept this a secret from her parents. She was scared her parents would not allow her to go to an all white school.

    Once the eighteen kids were cleared to begin their time at Central High, nine students decided not to go. Once the community of Little Rock and white families found out these negroes would be attending their school, all hell broke loose. A mom of one of the student complained to the Governor stating, “These negroes should be at home doing our dishes, not going to school with our children.” Another said, “They aren’t smart enough to be with our children.”

           On September 4, 1957, the nine kids prepared themselves for their first day. However, when the kids arrived, they were not greeted by happy teachers and students, but instead greeted by an angry mob. A witness of the event said “I saw Melba run away from angry white men chasing her. They had tree branches that they hit her with and threatened to rape her as they chased her.” Mary Little, another witness, said, “The angry mob started a chant yelling, Two four six, eight, we aren’t gonna integrate.” All the children were able to escape from the mob without an injury and returned home safely. The nine negroes, did however have to stay home from school for the next three weeks. The mobs would come every once in awhile to the children’s homes threatening to kill them and their families.

            Finally, after the nine high schoolers had been at home for three weeks, they were told they could return back to Little Rock Central High School. However, this time the children would be entering with nearly Arkansas National Guard troops who would ensure  their safety. The troops are going to stay with the kids for the next four years of high school. Even though the kids were able to attend this school,