The Integration of Central High School in 1957 was a significant event in the Civil Rights Movement. The event took place in Little Rock, Arkansas and was marked by the enrollment of nine African American students into the previously all-white Central High School. This article will explore the events leading up to the integration, the resistance faced by the students, and the impact of the integration on the Civil Rights Movement.
The Background
In 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled in the case of Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. However, many Southern states, including Arkansas, resisted desegregation and continued to maintain separate schools for white and black students.
In 1957, the Little Rock School Board developed a plan to integrate Central High School, one of the largest and most prestigious high schools in the state. Nine African American students were selected to enroll in the school, but their presence was met with fierce resistance from the white community.
The Resistance
On September 4, 1957, the day of the planned integration, Governor Orval Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the students from entering the school. The students were turned away, and the National Guard remained at the school for several weeks, effectively blocking the integration.
The situation drew national attention, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower eventually intervened, sending federal troops to Little Rock to escort the students to school. On September 25, 1957, the students were finally able to enter Central High School, but they faced ongoing harassment and violence from white students and community members.
The Impact
The Integration of Central High School was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, demonstrating the resistance faced by African Americans in their struggle for equality. The bravery and persistence of the Little Rock Nine, as the students came to be known, inspired other activists and helped to galvanize support for the Civil Rights Movement.
The integration of Central High School also had a lasting impact on education in the United States, paving the way for further desegregation and equal access to education for all students.
Conclusion
The Integration of Central High School in 1957 was a significant event in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The bravery and perseverance of the Little Rock Nine, in the face of intense resistance and violence, helped to inspire change and progress in the fight for racial equality. Today, we remember the courage of those students and continue to work towards a more just and equal society.