It was 50 years ago this month that President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered members of the 101st Airborne to escort nine black students to Little Rock’s Central High in Little Rock, Ark.
This was the first time a public school had been integrated and according to an article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com, “in that moment, Little Rock became a synonym for hate.”
Sunday night I watched “Remember the Titans,” another true story about public school integration. Each time I watch this movie, I can’t believe that the United States, a country built on the idea of freedom and equality for all its citizens, could have so many people with so much hate and contempt simply because someone looks different.
My mother, who grew up in central Arkansas and made many band trips to Little Rock high schools for football games, has told me stories about the buses being police-escorted in some stadiums. The buses entered through two gates, which were then shut behind them because the violence in central Little Rock was so bad.
While these students definitely made history and played a role in shaping where the United States is today, it is still hard to hear their stories and see the images of what went on during that time. It is sad that so many suffered just to get where things are today. It blows my mind that anyone could treat another human being that way.
Luckily, the United States has come a long way since then. Those times have become memories, but for those nine, and I’m sure many others, those memories will never go away.
The world I grew up in makes it difficult to fathom things like this. I had a comfortable childhood in a small town where diversity was basically nonexistent, barring a few Amish people you might run into every now and then.
Nothing dramatic happens in Chouteau. I have wonderful childhood memories and can’t imagine living with scars caused by painful experiences such as the one incurred by the nine black students who were forced to integrate Central High. Even though I can’t relate to anything like this, I definitely feel for them.
Every time I hear about these events or watch “Remember the Titans” or even “Glory Road”, I am glad our world has changed so much since then. Although I realize that things are still far from perfect and some places in the United States still have many problems caused by clashes between people of different races and ethnic backgrounds, it doesn’t compare to the 1950s and ’60s.
Seeing all these things has made me appreciate the time period in which I grew up. The United States has become much more peaceful and it’s nice to not live in a country full of hate. Granted, things can get better, but just as it has been many years since these events took place, it is going to take time. Maybe by the time our grandchildren come along, racism will only be read about in history books.
Loading ...
All Articles
Racism is a thing of the past in OK? My response is this: Alpha Gammo Rho “come as you are bizzare” in Sept of 2002. A majority of the racism in Oklahoma is thankfully less overt than our examples, but is still definitely present
Combating racism is everyone’s responsibility, so let’s do our best!
Racism in Oklahoma is not a thing of the past. Racism is always going to be around, and not just between blacks and whites, but other races also. We can’t turn a blind eye, or assume that just because we ourselves don’t see it, or hear about it, that it has all but dissolved, because it hasn’t. People are always going to have their views, but I question whether it is really about skin color or something much deeper. Sidney J Harris said it best:
“It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others.”
While it’s great that everyone’s holding hands and singing “kum-ba-ya” in Chouteau, racism still exists in this state. My younger brother gets racial slurts hurled at him on a fairly regular basis by his classmates. High schools across Oklahoma use Native Americans as mascots with little, if any regard to the message it sends when their students yell “Scalp the Indians!” or similar epithets. Our own state legislature has passed bills targeting the Hispanic community with little regard for who’s here legally and who’s not.
To paraphrase a previous poster, just because you don’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not real.
Allison, racism comes in many forms. While we may not see signs proclaiming “Whites Only,” in many ways the racism that is displayed today is much more pernicious. The United States is having many problems with racial issues and so is Oklahoma.
At this point in history, it takes each and every one of us to stand up, speak out, and challenge others to fight against hate and bigotry.
http://citizensagainsthate.com
Thats funny. Racism is very much alive and well. We just operate much differantly.
The slower underground way by infiltration.
Dont need parades,ralleys,flags or uniforms.Just be sneaky and get the job done. Dennis Mahone still roams your hills.
Y’all are a bunch of racists
Thanks to all who’ve commented on my column. I’m glad people are at least reading, but I really wonder how much you read. The comments sound more directed to the headline, which by the way, I don’t write. My column by no means said racism is completely gone. If people paid attention at all, it’s more about how things have changed and we can all agree that it’s nothing like it was in the 50s and 60s. I can honestly admit that I didn’t experience it and I feel for those who do. So, thanks again for reading, but please read it all and not between the lines.
Allison, your article was read, from beginning to end, and I’m sorry that you don’t make the headlines, but maybe whoever makes the titles should read your column before posting headlines, or maybe that is what they got out of your article also.
I can honestly say this is the stupidest article I’ve ever read. Allison how can you write this crap smack dab during the Jena Six protest. And how can you tout that you never faced racial descrimination when you lived in a town were diversity was nonexistant. I dunno maybe i just don’t get what your trying to say. But after reading the article(and i read between the lines) all i hear is we’ve come so far in america because i live in chouteau and haven’t faced discrimination. I guess i need to visit Chouteau sometime, cuz i’m pretty sure for every other place, outside its pearly gates, racism is still an issue. And if you don’t believe me just go visit Jena, Lousiana, or just take a few minutes to listen to Don Imus’ radio broadcast every day.