How Did The Little Rock Nine Influence The Civil Rights Movement

“They found themselves in the middle of a tug a war between federal and state power”(Kirk). The students hunger for equality sparked a change that would affect America greatly. Little Rock Nine inspired many African Americans to stand up for themselves and stand against racism. They also helped desegregate schools which later lead to the desegregation of other public areas. Little Rock Nine was an inspiration to the 1960’s as seen through their background, impact, and contributions.

The Little Rock Nine was a very important group of nine high school students who went through many struggles and trials to be the first african american students to attend Little Rock Central High School. Minnijean - Brown Trickey so happened to be one of the students of the Little Rock nine who caught my attention the most, through bravery and actions of risk taking just to make a point in history, a very important point in history. In 1957 Minnijean Brown -Trickey entered history by bravely entering the front doors of Central High School High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

African Americans face a struggle with racism which has been present in our country before the Civil War began in 1861. America still faces racism today however, around the 1920’s the daily life of an African American slowly began to improve. Thus, this time period was known by many, as the “Negro Fad” (O’Neill). The quality of life and freedom of African Americans that lived in the United States was constantly evolving and never completely considered ‘equal’. From being enslaved, to fighting for their freedom, African Americans were greatly changing the status quo and beginning to make their mark in the United States. They have endured severe oppression and racism for many years and suffered under Jim Crow Laws as well which were created specifically

Civil Rights are given to most people by law. However, it’s not always been like that. There wasn’t equality, but segregation. Some people, events, and ideas helped to change this, and make their societies more equal. The Little Rock Nine were one of these groups of people because they made a stand and as a result, helped change the rights of blacks in schools.

You are one of the many people to enter your local Woolworth’s to join the protests. That was a very common situation in February of 1960. Sit-Ins became a highly influential factor in Civil Rights. They were created and popularized in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960, during the Greensboro Sit-Ins. The Greensboro Sit-Ins were a series of protests led by four young black college students that were committed to equality in civil rights.

The 1950s and 60s was a time of radical change and the issue at the forefront of this tumultuous time period was The Civil Rights Movement. African-Americans fiercely advocated for equal rights in the Brown vs. Board of Education case, which ended segregation in public schools. One of the most memorable stories of desegregation was that of the Little Rock Nine, the nine black students that integrated Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. These students showed courage in the face of vile hatred and their actions allowed for the success of The Civil Rights Movement.

Have you ever thought about how we got integrated schools? There were many things that led up to what we now see as normal today. Something like education for African Americans can seem so simple today, but seem so complicated for people in past years. One of the things that helped us with integrated schools was a few people who were called the Little Rock Nine.

“We conclude that in the field of public education, The doctrine of ‘separate but equal Has No Place” says Earl Warren. In the biography “Warriors Don’t Cry” the public doesn’t care about equality. The nine African American teenagers also called the little rock nine. Among other people saw that equality doesn't exist.In 1957, the little rock nine chose to integrate the halls of all white Central High School . The segregationists announced that the nine students would be attending Central High. This caused many people to be angry and take action, in order to protect the nine. President Eisenhower decided to send troops to the school. To keep the nine out of trouble, yet not from the white students harming them. In the book “Warriors Don’t cry”

Another event that would change how LaNier perceived white southerners was the way they were treated while they were in the school The Little Rock Nine were treated poorly, to say the least, when they went into the school Not only were white adults disgusted with the integration, the frustrations quickly developed in the kids, this resulted in constant spitting attacks, being pushed into lockers, walls, and yelled at. Often kids would throw ink at her or put glue in her seat. The teachers did nothing most of the time, often people just looked the other way. This solidified that it was not only the adults who were opposed to the integration, the ignorance of the adults had trickled down to kids which made school a living hell for the Little Rock Nine, there were beatings, yelling, and spitting constantly. Another major event that would solidify just how much disgust people had was when the school was shut down for a year, in an attempt to show how dedicated they were to stopping the integration the schools were closed down, which not only affected the black students, but the white students as well. Thousands of kids now had no school to go to which was detrimental to

Segregationist represented immaturity and ignorance of the “old south.” Melba and the Little Rock nine represented the new, stronger, and mature country to come. Racism definitely still exists today but their voices have been quieter. With strength, innocent young blacks took the white segregationists “adults” power away.

Throughout history, African Americans have faced a long and challenging struggle for Civil Rights. Their fight for equality and desegregation has had an enormous impact on the United States. Not only have their struggles against racism changed the lives of many people, their struggles have ultimately shaped the development of the country.

Civil rights, political and social freedom and equality, something many African Americans had to fight for. There were boycotts, sit-ins, teach-ins, freedom riders and many other events where people took a stand and stood their ground, but the one that really caught the attention of others was the Little Rock Nine. All the different situations where people were fighting against Jim Crow Laws started with something that was most likely over equality. These students were all about fighting for an equal education, and believed they should be taught in the same room, with the same lessons, and with the same teachers as any other white student.

The background of the Civil Rights Movement reinforces the philosophy of anthropologist Margaret Mead who believed that “a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.” Each individual possesses the power to encourage a difference in their community, whether it will benefit or harm the population is their decision. We must question our criteria to determine whether an event has changed the world, must it be an international change to be considered significant? Numerous organizations like the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) have battled for the civil rights of individuals while harnessing the power of civil disobedience that disputes the righteousness of racism.

African-American students to attend an all-white school after the Brown vs. Board of Education court case ruled unanimously that segregation in public schools would be unconstitutional. At the time of the Civil Rights Movement, society thought very differently of African-American people. Not only was Ruby a six-year-old brave African-American girl living in New Orleans but she was breaking down the walls of segregation. Bridges taught society that having courage and perseverance has no age barrier or size.

The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine African American students who enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Following their enrollment the Little Rock Crisis happened. The Little Rock Crisis was when the students were prevented from entering the school, by Orval Faubus, the Governor of Arkansas. The Little Rock Nine was a major contributor in advancing desegregation in schools and enforcing desegregation during the civil rights movement.