On Wednesday last week a group of 50 Year 11 students were privileged to be able to hear Minnijean Brown-Trickey and Professor Clarence Lusane talk about racism and segregation in America. Minniejean was famously part of the Little Rock 9 group who became the first black students to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Our History students have been studying this aspect of Black Civil Rights and to actually meet someone involved was an awesome opportunity and one that does not happen often.

Tom Hollister was one of the lucky students and he writes: ‘Clarence Lusane, a professor at Howard University spoke about the Black Panther movie and the importance of it as a black super hero movie. He also spoke about casual and constitutional racism, the type of racism that often goes undetected. Both speakers encouraged us to be active in our stand against racism rather than bystanders. It was an awesome, once in a lifetime opportunity to hear these iconic civil rights leaders talk.’

Pipi Maloney adds: ‘Clarence talked of the Black Power movement and the political and social effects and the long lasting effects it has created in society now. He was a very charismatic public speaker, at ease on the stage and gave logical and informed answers to many questions asked by the audience. Minniejean was one of the 9 black students to first enrol and attend Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, which was a segregated high school. She spoke of her harrowing and revolutionary time at the school. When questions were allowed, she shared some wise and practical advice on life and ways to deal with racial prejudice and bullying. At the end of the presentation, Massey students were invited up on to the stage for photos with the two presenters. Our students were beyond honoured to be able to hear from a person as educated and passionate about their topic as Professor Clarence Lusane as well as such an important historical figure who was as knowledgeable and strong in her beliefs as Minniejean Brown - it's not often history students get to hear directly from the people they are studying.’