Little Rock Nine Research Paper

The Power of a Few Citizens

America’s history is full of conflict, and also full of positive change. A prime example of this is the Civil Rights Movement. Following Reconstruction, which took place after the Civil War, Jim Crow laws and segregation rose despite efforts to achieve equality for African Americans, like the 14th and 15th Amendments (Introduction to the Civil Rights Movement). The Civil Rights Movement was a period of fighting for political, economical, social, and just about any other type of equality for African Americans. Despite extreme backlash and disapproval from white supremacist groups and racists, mainly in the South, a positive change was created, credited to the many events that took place during this time (Carson). Some of these events were the Little Rock Nine

These historic events would not have taken place, had it not been for the small groups of citizens that brought about change. Margaret Mead was correct when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” The Civil Rights Movement has proved this to be true. The Little Rock nine was a group of African American students in Little Rock, Arkansas. They had been selected to be the first black students to integrate Central High School, which was formerly all-white. On September 4, 1957, Orval faubus, the governor of Arkansas, denied entry of these students to Central High (Alchin). The Little Rock Nine was a small group of citizens, and students, that created change. By being the first to integrate in Little Rock, they became a prime example of courage and strength to the whole country. “No one expected Little Rock to become a battleground over school integration, but the roots of segregation ran deep in the city” (Kronenwetter). The city of Little Rock, Arkansas was a historically racist city. The