Throughout history many African-Americans have done so much to make the United States the country we are today. They were brave people who wanted to make a difference for the better of our country. Our hats tip to the people like Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, and so many more. Today I want to focus on not one person, but a group of people who made a difference; a group by the title of Little Rock 9.
The Supreme Court had ruled segregation in schools unconstitutional in 1954. After this Little Rock, a previously all-white school had nine African American students enroll in their school. Everyone called them the Little Rock 9, but they were also known as Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown , Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Pattillo. Many didn’t like the idea of these blacks attending Little Rock High School and people like city councils tried to block the entrance so they couldn’t get in. Even Governor Orval Faubus didn’t want it to happen he sent the Arkansas National Guard to block the school. President Eisenhower did not like that the governor did this and warned him to stay out of the Supreme Courts ruling.
Eventually the governor backed down and the police took over. The police quietly snuck the nine students into the school while many parents of the white students protested. When the protestors learned that the students were inside they became angry with the police and began to riot, forcing the black students to be escorted out of school. The next day the mayor of Little Rock asked the president to send troops to help protect the students. President Eisenhower sent 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army to Little rock and the students successfully entered school. Even though they were protected this way they still suffered from verbal and physical abuse by other students.
The nine students stayed strong and eventually earned the Spingarn Medal and the Congressional Gold medal. They were very brave even though they were probably very scared. I am grateful to these nine students and all of the African-Americans throughout history. I hate to think what our country would be like without their great deeds. Thanks to all of the African-Americans who made a difference!Respectfully Submitted,2Jennifer
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