The Little Rock Nine

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how, in 1957, nine Black American high school students walked into Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, at a time when segregation throughout the country was a way of life. The paper relates how a few weeks earlier, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus had defied the Supreme Court, blocking admission of the nine students. The paper discusses how once Americans were able to get past the self-interest of its political leaders, the real work of healing the disease of racism was able to begin. The paper therefore considers this event as a giant step forward in the struggle for civil rights in America.

Outline:
Introduction
Desegregating America's Schools
The Little Rock Nine
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In September, 1957, nine Black American high school students walked into Central High School, in Little Rock, Arkansas. What was unusual about that event was the time in history, 1957, when segregation throughout the country, most prominently throughout the southern states, was a way of life. The 1957 event in Little Rock was one marked by the presence of 1,200 armed military personnel from the 101st Airborne Division, sent to protect the young nine students, and to ensure that Little Rock's Central High and the State of Arkansas complied with the landmark Supreme Court case and decision in Brown v Board of Education, marking the end of segregated schools in America."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anderson, Karen. "The Little Rock School Desegregation Crisis: Moderation and Social Conflict." Journal of Southern History 70.3 (2004): 603+. Questia. 19 Feb. 2008 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5006777417>.
• Bennett, Lerone. "Chronicles of Black Courage: The Little Rock 10." Ebony Dec. 1997: 132+. Questia. 19 Feb. 2008 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000520787>.
• Campbell, Ernest Q., and Thomas F. Pettigrew. Christians in Racial Crisis: A Study of Little Rock's Ministry. Washington, DC: Public Affairs Press, 1959. Questia. 19 Feb. 2008 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=1074389>.
• Chappell, Kevin. "50 Years after Little Rock: A Half-Century Later, a Look at Nine Warriors in the Fight against Segregation." Ebony Oct. 2007: 236+. Questia. 19 Feb. 2008 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5023106539>.
• Kirk, John A. "Crisis at Central High: John A. Kirk Recalls the Dramatic Events at Little Rock, Arkansas, Fifty Years Ago This Month, When a Stand-Off over the Granting of Black Students Access to Integrated Education Brought the Civil Rights Agenda to International Attention." History Today Sept. 2007: 23+. Questia. 19 Feb. 2008 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5023376466>.

More papers on The Little Rock Nine:

• Analytical Essay # 26087 : "The Civil Rights Movement"
• Book Review # 118323 : "The Long Shadow of Little Rock"
• Book Review # 120177 : "Black Integration in "Warriors Don't Cry"

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