Students are Activists

Today, we drove to the Little Rock Central High National Historic Site. I was particularly excited for this trip because in 7th grade, I did a project about the integration of Little Rock Central High and on the Little Rock Nine/Ten. It was surreal to see the actual high school that I had spent many hours researching. We learned about all of the horrible things the Little Rock Nine had to endure. There were very few students, or even teachers, who would interact positively to them. My favorite story from the experience of the Little Rock Nine was one about Minnie Jean, the only member to be expelled during their time there. The story starts when Minnie went to the cafeteria to buy herself some chili. After getting her food, a group of white students threw chairs at Minnie and yelled egregious slurs at her. At this point Minnie was done with being bullied and and yelled at by racist white students. She took her chili and dropped it on top of the boys’ heads. Later, in the principal’s office, Minnie was asked what happened in the cafeteria. She responded with “I accidentally on purpose dropped my chili on both of those boys.” I like this story because Minnie stood up against abusers and bullies because she didn't believe she was being treated fairly. 

After learning about more of the history, we were able to take a tour of the high school. It was interesting to be in a ‘museum tour’ while kids are in classes. I had never been in a “museum/historical site” that is still being used for another purpose other than telling history. 

After the tour of the school, we were greeted by Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton, the first black student to have attended 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. She told us about her experience continuing the integration of Little Rock Central High after the “Lost Year.” She told us that although she wasn't physically harmed to the extent that the Little Rock Nine was, she was definitely ostracized by the entire school; no one spoke to her for all of the three years she was there. But she did not let it get to her. She was incredibly strong and was able to stay focused and do extremely well in school. Reflecting on her strength back then, she told us to “not let people cause us to hate.”

Jack Kalvar, The Park School of Baltimore