Last Thursday the Year 11 History class along with numerous history students from across Canterbury had the amazing opportunity to meet the living legend Minnie Jean Brown, who was one of the nine black students who integrated into Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. This event known as the ‘Little Rock Desegregation Crisis’ is infamous for the vicious backlash from the white supremacist mobs that targeted the students when they tried to enter the school on the 23rd of September.  Consequently, to preserve the students' lives they were evacuated by police escort because there were threats from the mob outside to lynch them. Previously on the 4th of September, The Arkansas Governor, Orville Faubus had instructed his National Guardsman to prevent the students from entering the school. This all culminated in President Eisenhower deploying the 101st Airborne Division, America’s top paratroopers and heroes of WW2 to be stationed around the school to ensure the Black Students entered the school safely.  Each student was also issued a personal soldier as a bodyguard throughout the school day.  On the backdrop of all this, it was fascinating to hear Minnie Jean retell her experiences of that school year. To hear the ugly side of racism and the violence they endured with such dignity and integrity was truly inspirational for our rangatahi. The session included Q&A opportunities, and I was impressed with the well-considered questions that were being asked.  Minnie Jean was accompanied by her daughter Spirit, who provided lots of historical context and made the session very informative.

Our History class is currently exploring the conflicting perspectives around the Little Rock Crisis and Minnie Jean provided an invaluable perspective, providing insight into her reasons for wanting to forge such a difficult path and also the horrific acts of violence and relentless bullying she and her fellow black students had to endure. There was a clear message about being courageous and to stand up for what is right. I’m sure all the students were able to take away some key life lessons from the talk.  It’s not very often you get to meet the people you read about in your History books.