Remembering The Little Rock 9

On September 25, 1957 a momentous event took place in this country as the first southern high school was finally desegrated. It was not easy. The Supreme Court had declared seperate schools to be inherently unequal in 1954, but many white southerners were not ready for the change.

In the Fall of 1957, nine Afro-American students enrolled at the all-white Central High School in Little Rock. But when they tried to enter the school they were turned back by the Arkansas National Guard, who had been called out by the racist governor Orval Faubus. They were also threatened and abused by large crowds of racist whites.

But these young men and women kept trying, until finally President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division and made it happen. But it was a tough year for the 9 students, and each had to be assigned a soldier as a bodyguard to protect them from harm.

These 9 brave high school students changed America forever -- and for the better. Yesterday, they gathered again at Central High School and once again they entered its doors. But this time they were cheered by a large crowd and greeted by former-president Bill Clinton. They were recognized as the heroes they really were.

All Americans should remember these nine brave people and honor them. I doubt that many of us would have had the courage to endure the threats, intimidation and abuse that these extraordinary Americans had to put up with that year. I list their names here, because these are people who deserve to be remembered:

Thelma Mothershed

Minnijean Brown

Elizabeth Eckford

Gloria Ray

Jefferson Thomas

Melba Pattillo

Terrence Roberts

Carlotta Walls

Ernest Green

Thank you! Your courage is remembered and appreciated.