Members of the Little Rock Nine recently addressed high school seniors on the 66th anniversary of the Little Rock Central High desegregation crisis. They voiced their criticism of recent legislation passed in Arkansas and other states that restricts the content that can be taught in public school classrooms. The Little Rock Nine members shared their own experiences of desegregating Central High School and encouraged the graduating students to recognize their own value and have the courage to achieve their goals.
Following the event, the Little Rock Nine members spoke to reporters during a panel at the Capital Hotel. Also present were Clinton School of Public Service Dean Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto and Carlotta Walls LaNier, who serves as the spokesperson for the Little Rock Nine Foundation. During the panel, Dean Soto and LaNier announced the creation of the Little Rock Nine Scholarship Endowment Campaign.
Five of the members who played pivotal roles in desegregating Little Rock Central High in 1957 were present for the event at the Robinson Center. These members included LaNier, Minnijean Brown-Trickey, Elizabeth Eckford, and Terrence Roberts. Melba Pattillo Beals, another member of the Little Rock Nine, attended virtually. The event also featured speeches from Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Robin White, superintendent of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Society, and District Superintendent Jermall Wright.
White addressed the students and described the event as an opportunity to engage with “living legends” and change agents. She emphasized the courage and impact of the Little Rock Nine, who were teenagers aged 14 to 17 at the time of the desegregation crisis. White stated that the Little Rock Nine paved the way for future generations and emphasized that their sacrifices have benefited everyone.
Superintendent Wright also commended the accomplishments of the Little Rock Nine and noted the seismic shift in education that they initiated. He highlighted that the district’s current goals align with the aims of the Little Rock Nine in 1957, which was to ensure equitable access to a quality education. Wright emphasized that even after 66 years, their cause remains the same.
Despite the acknowledgment of the Little Rock Nine’s sacrifices, Mayor Scott expressed concerns about the attacks on history education. He specifically mentioned Elizabeth Eckford, who at 81 years old stood up for the continued teaching of American history in the Little Rock School District. Scott urged the audience to continue fighting for the preservation of history and not allow others to revise it.
During her introduction, Melba Pattillo Beals spoke to the students and emphasized three things that the Little Rock Nine aimed to achieve during integration: voice, choice, and inclusion. She encouraged the audience to remember these principles and acknowledged their privilege of receiving a high school education. Beals expressed her faith in the students, believing that they will succeed and deserve to be whoever they aspire to become.
Minnijean Brown-Trickey lamented the limited coverage of the desegregation crisis in history education. She commented that people in other parts of the world often know more about the story than many young people in the United States. Brown-Trickey emphasized that the crisis had multiple dimensions involving various components of government and the enduring human spirit.
During the event, senior students had the opportunity to ask the Little Rock Nine members questions. These questions covered topics such as recent education legislation, media coverage during the desegregation crisis, and what motivated them to continue attending school despite the challenges they faced.
One student representative asked the Little Rock Nine about their thoughts on state laws attempting to rewrite their history. Terrence Roberts responded, stating that it is crucial for schools to provide comprehensive educational opportunities that include the entirety of history. He emphasized that neglecting any part of history hinders the educational process and the duty of educational leaders.
When asked whether the LEARNS Act was taking the education system in the right direction, Minnijean Brown-Trickey expressed her concerns regarding intentional ignorance and the manipulation of information. She believed that intentionally keeping the population uneducated allows demagogues to manipulate and exploit them. Brown-Trickey encouraged the students to consider the impact their experiences and stories have on their communities and the country.
In an interview with reporters, Brown-Trickey warned of the chilling effect on education that results from nationwide efforts to restrict curricula. She expressed her hope that young people would eventually rebel against being denied knowledge and the manipulation of information. She pledged her support to young people and promised to help them in any way she could.
In addition to the discussions, the Clinton School of Public Service launched an endowment campaign to ensure that the legacy of the Little Rock Nine continues through scholarship support. The campaign aims to establish the Little Rock Nine Scholarship in perpetuity and inspire future generations of public service leaders. The scholarship was initially created in 2013 by former Dean James L. “Skip” Rutherford III and the Little Rock Foundation, and nearly $30,000 in scholarships have been awarded since 2015.
During the panel, Dean Soto stressed the importance of continuing support for the scholarship and ensuring that the courage of the Little Rock Nine serves as inspiration for future generations at the Clinton School.