How Did The Little Rock Nine Impact On The United States

The Little Rock Nine

A battle of State versus Federal Government broke out in Arkansas when town of Little Rock decided to integrate their High School. Nine black students, soon to be known as the Little Rock Nine, were chosen to receive their education at Little Rock Central High School, a school previously for whites only. Even though segregation in school systems had been proven to be unconstitutional the Governor of Arkansas at the time, Orval Faubus, was doing everything in his power to stop the integration process. The Little Rock Nine forced the Federal Government to make a stand in the name of equality and Civil Rights, which has made a lasting impact on the education system in the United States to this day.

The nine African-American

But the people of Little Rock were stubborn when it came to their beliefs and didn’t give up that easily. The Governor decided to close the school for everyone. He chose to deny education to over 2,000 people just to stop nine people from going because of their race. However, a few years latter the school was reopened due to the results of the town’s voting and changes to the school board. (Little Rock Girl) The President’s interference did more than just cause the Governor of Arkansas to go to extreme lengths though; it made a statement to the nation. By federalizing Arkansas’s National Guard, President Eisenhower showed that failure to follow the laws on integration and desegregation would not be tolerated. The President himself didn’t strongly support integration, which is why many people blamed him for the crisis in Little Rock and other similar occurrences with integration across the country, (The Little Rock 9-Arkansas 1957) but he did support and enforce the laws of his nation. In President Eisenhower’s own words: “I will use the full power of the United States, including whatever force may be necessary, to prevent any obstruction of the law and to carry out the orders of the Federal Court.” (Little Rock Nine) During the time that the Little Rock Nine could actually go to school, their problems still did not disappear. Instead they merely vanished from the

The other kids threw food at them, spat on them, and burned them in the locker rooms. Anyone who defended the nine African-American students in even the slightest way was given the same treatment. (Little Rock Girl) Despite the fact that the Little Rock Nine were supposed to be equal to the other students at the school, they still were not allowed to participate in extra curricular activities. (Little Rock Nine) After the school closed and eventually reopened only two of the Little Rock Nine returned to finish their education there. Ernest Green became the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School. The children who did not return to Little Rock’s public school got their education through other means such as private school, out-of-state schools, and correspondence courses. (We Shall Overcome) The Little Rock Nine have earned many awards since their struggle for education. In 1958, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awarded them with their highest honor: the Spingarn Medal. (Little Rock School Desegregation) Later, in 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded them all with the highest civilian award: the Congressional Gold Metal. (Little rock Girl) These awards were given to the Little Rock Nine for their lasting impact not only in history, but in education as