We've Come A Long Way...

In high school I read a book called "Warriors Don't Cry" by Melba Patillo Beals. It was the story of a young, African-American who attended Little Rock, Arkasas' Central High School during the first years of integration of the schools. The book detailed the trials and tribulations she, and others, faced as one of nine African-American students attending what was previously an all white school. Reading her story ignited a firestorm within me, one of anger and rage at the shear stupidity and ignorance of people and their fear of the unknown.

Ever the history buff, I looked back and delved deeper into the Civil Rights timeline, where I found myself comparing the society of 50 years ago to our current society. I have to say, I am elated that I have grown up in an era of time when people weren't so racially divided. The following gives a glimpse into the struggles people faced a half century ago.

1954, Brown v. The Board of Education- The United States Supreme Court rules in favor of Oliver Brown, and nearly 200 others in five states, that racial segregation violates the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws.

1957-58 Academic School Year, Central High School, Little Rock, Arkasas- Quite possibly, the most well-known application in integrating schools since the verdict of Brown v. The Board of Education.
-The first day of school, September 4, 1957, Arkansas Governer, Orval Faubus, calls on the Arkansas National Guard to block the entrances of the school to the nine African-American students (Ernest Green, Melba Patillo, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark, and Thelma Mothershed) enrolled at Central High School, in a show of support to segregationists. Less than one week later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower warns Faubus to withdraw National Guard troops. Faubus refuses and on September 20th, Federal Judge Ronald Davies orders Faubus to withdraw troops. Faubus submits, but replaces the National Guard with the Little Rock Police Department who, on September 23rd, sneak the nine students into the school despite hundreds of white protesters-mostly students and parents. Woodrow Mann, Little Rock's Mayor, speaks with President Eisenhower and requests federal troops be deployed to the school to protect the nine students, with the intent of enforcing integration of the school. On September 24th, President Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne Division (commonly known as the "Screaming Eagles") of the United States Army to Little Rock, while at the same time, he federalized the Arkansas National Guard, stripping Governer Faubus of any military power he held. The students, who had become known as the "Little Rock Nine" entered the school on September 25th, with the aid of the 101st Airborne Division. Each of the Little Rock Nine was provided a military escort to all classes. All were still subject to the scrutiny of protesters and students.

1958- The citizen's council with the support of Governer Faubus and the Arkasas State Legislature, pressured the Little Rock School Board into reversing its decision to desegregate the public schools by cancelling the entire 1958-59 school year. When the following school year resumed in the Fall of 1959, it reopened as an integrated school without military aid.

So, why does any of this matter? I'll tell you why... This year's election was a historical event, on either side of the political arena. It shows that we have made progress as a country.

50 years ago, there was a struggle for African-Americans to receive the same education as all other Americans. Then, it was ludicrous for one to have ever imagined that we would have elected and African-American as our Commander in Chief, in a landslide victory.

Granted, while we (as a nation) have come a long way, there is still far to go in erradicating racism and I don't know about you, but I feel we have taken a monumental step in truly being the United States of America.