Homecoming - But First...

We are home! 

I have showered in my shower and slept in my bed.  I want to write about that and it will be my next post. But I would be remiss if I didn't first write about our last major stop on the Civil Rights section of our field trip  - Little Rock, Arkansas. 

The U.S. Supreme Court found segregation in schools unconstitutional in 1954. Three years later in 1957, the vast majority of schools were still segregated.  In September, 1957, nine black teenagers risked their lives as they became the first to desegregate the enormous Central High School in Little Rock.  These nine were carefully selected from a group of students who volunteered and were carefully screened. Initially there were close to 20, but the number dwindled as families received threatening phone calls and students knew they would not be allowed to play sports or participate in extracurriular activities.

They became known as the Little Rock Nine.  They endured physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from students on a daily basis throughout the year.   They were pushed down staircases, tripped, kicked, and shoved. They had feces and urine thrown on their lockers and had rocks hurled at them during P.E. 

The rest of the students who did not participate in these hateful ignorant acts, dare not be risked being called a "nigger lover" and although they wanted to show support, they felt they could do nothing and  feared for their own safety if they did. 

 The administration did nothing.  These nine were completely isolated and many of the teachers offered little support as many were staunch segregationist and didn't believe they should be there. 

The visitor's center run by the National Park Service was directly across the street diagonally from the enormous high school. Click here to find out more We saw photographs and watched videos of the Little Rock Nine and other former students sharing their memories. 

One display that really got me was a pair of saddle shoes with the quote from one of the brave nine "Everyday, I would wake up, polish my shoes and go off to war."

It was one of the first news stories that the nation could watch live.  The country watched in disbelief when President Eisenhower called in the 101st Airborne and instructed the National Guard be under federal orders to escort the students into the school. The first two attempts concluded with a closing of the school.  The country watched reporters being victims of the viscous mob, many of whom did not have a student at the school. 

L Alex Wilson black journalist from the Tri-State Defender Memphis Tenn. was there that day covering the story.  He had a 5 month old daughter at home. He was kicked, pushed and even had a brick thrown at his head. He never fully recovered from the brain injuries, developed Parkinsons and died three years later. Here is a photo of the mob attacking Mr. Wilson. Notice the brick in the guy's hand who is kicking him.

 I read in a book that he held on to his hat, and although it was knocked off several times, he kept putting it on his head because he was a gentleman. He never ran because he said the students didn't. And he never fought back.  I bought some great books there, let me know if you want to borrow them!

Elizabeth Eckford on her first day of school at Central High. 

 

With a Park Ranger, on the second morning we visited the center, we were able to go into the high school and see parts of it. It was weird because school was in session and we saw students. My imagination almost hurt from being right where so much hatred and pain took place.  (I have photos of our visit but in the unpacking chaos, don't know where I set my camera down. )

Little Rock shook me up quite a bit.  Payton will be starting high school in less than a year and many of his friends are in high school. It hit very close to home.  I should certainly hope that when he does start high school he be an ambassador of justice and compassion and never be a silent witness to any bullying or mistreatment of a fellow student.  

For that matter, none of my kids may plead ignorance now.  These road school lessons will be tested again and again, in and out of school.How they perform on these tests mean far more to me than any grade they earn on paper pencil graded test they will be given in school.   If we see an injustice happening against another person. We must speak out and reach out.  This is easier said than done, especially if you risk your or your family’s personal safety to do the right thing. 

In addition, I will try to regularly remind them of the privilege it is to attend school without any roadblocks and to take that opportunity lightly will not be tolerated.  

I was grateful for the long drive to Oklahoma City that followed Little Rock. It was necessary to have time to think, grieve and process.  Had I been at home, and not on Interstate 40, I may have been too easily distracted afterward.

Oklahoma gets a bad wrap. I found the gently rolling hills and farmland that make up the eastern part of the state a welcome tranquil. I liked Oklahoma City's simpleness and desire to offer cultural, culinary, sports, natural attractions.

Oklahoma City is the kind of town you can do in a day, and I was able to check off the 3 main things I wanted us to learn about: 

1. The Trail of Tears - the relocation of Native Americans from the southeastern United States after the passage of the 1830 "Indian Removal Act"  (as unbelievable as it is, that is what it was called)

2. The Dustbowl

3.  The 1996 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City - and visiting the memorial. 

Thankfully there was an awesome museum in Oklahoma which covered all of this and more. 

From there, Alburquerque New Mexico, was our next stop.  Suddenly, we found ourselves, only 11 hours from home.

Like horses who speed up when they know they are near their barn, My kids wanted to hit the road and get back to their barn.  

Selling Arizona to them was like selling an Eskimo snow.   Even the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world was nothing compared to the wonder of home. 

And that is another story, which I will save for tomorrow...