The Little Rock Nine

The Little Rock Nine One of the highlights of my trip to Arkansas to visit with Matt, Krisitn, Daniel, and Maggie was a trip to Central High in Little Rock. Central High was the sight of the the infamous clash between former Governor Orval Faubus and the federal government's movement towards desegregation in public schools that was a result of the Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas. Looking through the time-line of the student's school year, reading the remarks of both sides, and seeing the images of hatred in the museum provoked an appropriate sense of solemnity and respect for the courage of the Little Rock Nine, their families, and community. It is a good thing to study the mistakes of our past in order to better understand our future. I also believe that by learning more about people who gave up so much for the sake of freedom and democracy, we can grow in appreciation, and perhaps have a greater sense of debt to participate in democracy today.