The year 1957 witnessed a defining clash in the American Civil Rights Movement, one that unfolded in Little Rock, Arkansas. This event, known as the Little Rock Crisis, dramatically highlighted the fierce resistance to school desegregation following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954. This ruling declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional, yet its implementation was far from smooth, especially in the deeply segregated South. Little Rock became a crucial battleground in this struggle, testing the nation’s commitment to equal education and federal authority.
The Blossom Plan and Initial Resistance
In response to the Brown v. Board ruling, Virgil Blossom, the Superintendent of the Little Rock School District, formulated a gradual integration plan. This plan proposed starting desegregation at Central High School, a large and prominent institution, in September 1957. The school board sought black student volunteers from Dunbar Junior High and Horace Mann High School, both serving the African American community.
However, this seemingly progressive step was immediately met with obstacles. Authorities warned prospective black students that transferring to Central High meant sacrificing extracurricular activities like sports and choir. Beyond this, many parents faced threats of job loss if their children pursued integration. These pressures led some students to reconsider, but a determined few resolved to proceed, driven by the promise of better educational opportunities.
“[Blossom said] you’re not going to be able to go to the football games or basketball games. You’re not going to be able to participate in the choir or drama club, or be on the track team. You can’t go to the prom. There were more cannots…” – Carlotta Walls LaNier, Little Rock Nine
Despite the discouraging conditions, the desire for equal access to education remained strong within the black community.
“When my tenth-grade teacher in our Negro school said there was a possibility of integration, I signed up. We all felt good. We knew that Central High School had so many more courses, and dramatics and speech and tennis courts and a big, beautiful stadium.” – Minnijean Brown, Little Rock Nine, to Look (June 24, 1958)
This hope for a better future fueled the resolve of the students who would become known as the Little Rock Nine.
September 3, 1957: The First Day Blocked
On September 3, 1957, the Little Rock Nine bravely attempted to enter Central High School, marking the planned start of desegregation. However, they were met not with open doors, but with the Arkansas National Guard, deployed by Governor Orval Faubus the night before. Faubus claimed his actions were necessary to “maintain and restore order,” but the reality was starkly different. The soldiers were there to prevent the black students from entering, directly defying the federal court order for integration.
Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine, arrived alone and faced a particularly hostile mob. She was confronted with jeers, threats, and a wall of anger, vividly captured in now-iconic photographs. The other eight students had arrived together, accompanied by local ministers, but they too were turned away by the National Guard.
“I was not prepared for what actually happened.” – Elizabeth Eckford, Little Rock Nine
“I thought he [Faubus] was there to protect me. How wrong I was.” – Thelma Mothershed Wair, Little Rock Nine
The deployment of the National Guard was a clear signal of Arkansas’s resistance to federal law and a devastating blow to the hopes of peaceful integration.
“We didn’t know that his [Faubus’] idea of keeping the peace was keeping the blacks out.” – Jefferson Thomas, Little Rock Nine
Federal Intervention and the 101st Airborne
For over two weeks, the Little Rock Nine were prevented from attending Central High. On September 23, they made another attempt, and while they managed to enter the school, the situation outside escalated into rioting. Fearing for their safety, the Little Rock police removed the students. The crisis was spiraling out of control, demanding federal action.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, initially hesitant to intervene directly in state matters, recognized the gravity of the situation. On September 24, 1957, he took decisive action, ordering units of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles,” to Little Rock. He also federalized the Arkansas National Guard, effectively placing them under federal command and removing them from Faubus’s control.
In a televised address to the nation, President Eisenhower underscored the fundamental principle at stake: “Mob rule cannot be allowed to override the decisions of the courts.” This was a powerful statement asserting federal authority and the rule of law in the face of state defiance.
On September 25, 1957, under the protection of federal troops, the Little Rock Nine finally entered Central High School for their first full day of classes. The 101st Airborne remained in Little Rock until October, ensuring the students’ safety and establishing order. Federalized National Guard troops continued to patrol the school throughout the academic year.
Inside Central High: Enduring Hostility
While federal intervention ensured their physical presence in the school, the Little Rock Nine faced a new battle within the school’s walls. They were assigned guards from the federal troops to escort them between classes. However, these guards could not accompany them into classrooms, bathrooms, or locker rooms, leaving them vulnerable to harassment.
Throughout the school year, the Nine endured relentless verbal and physical abuse from some white classmates. Spitting, shoving, and racial slurs became daily occurrences. Social isolation was profound, with few white students daring to befriend them for fear of similar ostracization. Those who did offer support often faced hate mail and threats themselves, highlighting the pervasive climate of hostility.
Minnijean Brown, one of the Nine, faced particularly harsh treatment. In December, she was suspended for retaliating after being physically blocked and verbally harassed in the cafeteria. She inadvertently spilled chili on her aggressors, leading to her suspension. Later, in February 1958, she was expelled for calling a girl “white trash” after being hit with a purse. This incident further fueled the opposition, with some students distributing cards boasting, “One Down, Eight to Go.”
Despite the immense pressure, the remaining eight students persevered and completed the school year at Central. Ernest Green achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first African American to graduate from Central High School in May 1958, a powerful symbol of resilience and progress.
“It’s been an interesting year. I’ve had a course in human relations first hand.” – Ernest Green, Little Rock Nine, to Life (June 1958)
Minnijean Brown, after her expulsion, moved to New York City and completed her high school education at the New Lincoln School, living with the renowned social psychologists Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark. The Clarks’ groundbreaking “doll test” research had been instrumental in the Brown v. Board case, demonstrating the damaging psychological effects of segregation on black children.
The Aftermath and Lasting Legacy
The year following the crisis, 1958-1959, became known as “The Lost Year” in Little Rock. Governor Faubus, determined to prevent further integration, closed all of the city’s high schools. However, the NAACP continued its legal battle for desegregation, and in 1959, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the unconstitutionality of segregation, further solidifying the legal victory for integration.
When Little Rock high schools reopened in 1959, Carlotta Walls and Jefferson Thomas returned to Central and graduated in 1960. Thelma Mothershed received her diploma through correspondence courses. The rest of the Little Rock Nine completed their high school educations elsewhere.
The Little Rock Crisis, though a painful and turbulent period, became a watershed moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It demonstrated the deep-seated resistance to racial equality but also the unwavering courage of the Little Rock Nine and the eventual, albeit forceful, intervention of the federal government to uphold the Constitution.
The Little Rock Nine have been rightfully recognized for their bravery and their pivotal role in the fight for equality. They have received numerous accolades, including the NAACP Spingarn Medal and the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Their legacy continues to inspire generations in the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality in education and beyond.
Little Rock Nine Biographies
Minnijean Brown Trickey graduated from New Lincoln High School and earned degrees in social work. She has dedicated her career to social justice, working in government and as an activist, writer, and speaker.
Elizabeth Eckford obtained a GED and a bachelor’s degree in History after her experiences at Central High. She served in the U.S. Army and has been a lifelong advocate for tolerance, receiving numerous awards for her contributions to social justice.
Ernest Green graduated from Central High and earned advanced degrees in social science and sociology. He served as Assistant Secretary of Labor under President Carter and has held numerous prominent positions in public service and education.
Thelma Mothershed Wair (1940-2024) completed her diploma from Central High through correspondence and earned degrees in Home Economics Education and Counseling. She worked as a teacher and counselor for many years and authored a book about her experiences, Education Has No Color.
Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals finished high school in California and earned multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. in International Multicultural Studies. She became a journalist, news reporter, and founded a communications department at Dominican University of California. She is also a renowned author, writing several books about the Little Rock Crisis, including Warriors Don’t Cry.
Gloria Ray Karlmark graduated high school in Kansas City and earned a degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. She worked as a mathematician, systems analyst, and technical writer, and founded the journal Computers in Industry.
Dr. Terrence Roberts earned degrees in Sociology, Social Welfare, and Psychology, culminating in a Ph.D. He became a psychologist, professor, and management consultant, and authored memoirs reflecting on his experiences in Little Rock and the broader struggle for equality.
Jefferson Thomas (1942-2010) graduated from Central High and earned a business degree. He served in the Vietnam War and worked in business and accounting. He received an honorary doctorate for his lifelong commitment to human rights.
Carlotta Walls LaNier graduated from Central High and earned a degree in Science. She became a successful real estate broker and founded LaNier and Company. She is president of the Little Rock Nine Foundation and author of A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School.
