Integrating Central High: A Lesson in Courage

Central High School: It’s a fancy, massive fortress! Imagine being the black high schoolers at their own school getting hand me down supplies knowing that this is just down the road for white kids. Not very separate or equal. . You’ve heard of Ruby Bridges trying to go to elementary school. But have you heard of the Little Rock 9? In 1959, five year after Brown vs Board of Education said racial segregation was unconstitutional, nine black high schoolers attempted three times to integrate at Central High School in Little Rock. The National Guard was called in to keep it from happening. Then the president federalized them to make it happen. Hundreds of soldiers surrounding the high school while kids tried to go to school. . End result: the governor of Arkansas closed all Little Rock high schools for a year instead of having to integrate the black and white schools! . The teenager and I loved learning at this National Historic Site. If nothing else, the others watched some videos and we talked about how hateful people can be to each other. That in itself is worth the lesson. ❤️ . Add this to your southern road trip!