The Case of Little Rock's Central High School that Challenged the Legality of the Segregation - Research Paper Example

History and political science Task: Introduction The black minority in America had no rights that equalled those of their white counterparts. The schools in America segregated on a racial basis. As such, the black community attended schools that receive minimal funding while members of the white community attended well-funded schools. The state of the education system resulted in the filling of case in the Supreme Court. The case challenged the legality of the segregation. The ruling surprised the entire population since it called for an end to the ethnic isolation in the learning sector. The segregation process was extremely challenging owing to the adversity of the people towards the process. Faubus, Arkansas’ governor was unwilling to implement the integration of schools. As such, the federal authorities were ready to deploy the National Guard to ensure the implementation of the order. The book titled ‘warriors do not cry’ gives an account of the events, which transpires in Little Rocks central high school. The events reveal Melba Pattillo’s tribulations once she joins the above high school, which has Caucasian students. Initial events The initial event, which triggers the subsequent events, is a Supreme Court ruling. In Brown vs. Board of education, the court ruled that it was unlawful to for to segregate students on a racial basis. Accordingly, the state ought to begin an integration program, which will ensure that the school contain students of both races1. Initially, the book discloses the miraculous recovery of Melba who was at the verge of death owing to the negligence of a white nurse. Melba was born in a segregated society. However, she manages to overcome all hurdles that the discriminatory society puts in her ways beginning from her birth during a Pearl Harbour day to her early adult hood. Melba struggles against her aggressors reveals a non-violent opposition towards segregation in the American society. The white majority segregated the black community was a fact that Melba came to learn later in life. A white man repeatedly harassed Melba’s mother since his father could not protect him. As such, Melba viewed his father as a coward. This reflected that the black people were filled with self-pity owing to the discriminatory state of their country. The announcement of the ruling culminated in demonstrations by white people who felt that it was atrocious for the government to integrate schools. This reveals the unwillingness the white community to integrate with a minority group who they perceived to be racially inferior. Segregation denied young black students a chance a proper education2. Resistance at the Little Rock school Violence erupted in this town as the white persecuted the minority community. This culminated in a dilemma among the black people. Owing to the loss of lives and jobs among the black people, many wondered if it was worthwhile to champion for the integration of schools. A considerable proportion of the black people opposed resistance against the status quo in the education sector. Despite the majority of the Caucasian people opposing the integration, a few helped the black students who took part in the integration process. This reveals that there were people in both communities who wanted a peaceful resolution to the above problem. Blacks opposed to the resistance to the status quo in the education were regarded as traitors. Conversely, white people who sympathised with the treatment of black people were also traitors in their community. White children attended schools that had good facilities while their counterparts attended schools with dilapidated facilities. Melba’s personal tribulations Melba’s actions to fights segregation had various implications on her life. He was against her decision to attend a white school since they would receive threats or risk attacks by their oppressors. Melba’s stand resulted in numerous conflicts in her family as they were exposed to attacks and constant threats. Despite her father’s opposition to her decision, her grandmother and mother seem to fully back her well aware of the dangers they will encounter. In one of the incidences, Melba and her mother receive assistance from white people who help them escape charging white crowd. Events in this struggle are narrated through actions and the mind of a teenage girl who is born into a segregated society. Melba is a tender girl who seeks resists problems that her society is encountering. Therefore, here wisdom and courage by far exceed her age. Her actions and courage are a source of inspiration to various people in the black community. She overcomes violence, intimidation and segregation via her non-violent resistance. Her conduct acts as a catalyst for the civil rights movement gains momentum3. Significance of the title The title of the books summarizes Melba’s conduct in the entire book. During one of the attacks, her grandmother comforts her that ‘Gods warriors do not cry’ since he protects them. Melba derives massive inspiration from her grandmother’s words, which details the struggles she is encountering. Melba is a warrior in the struggle against the status quo in the education sector. As such, she should expect persecution form the antagonists of the agenda that she is fighting for. Melba should courageously face her aggressors. In the book, Melba is a warrior who does not spirit does not dampen despite her tribulation. Her resistance against segregation culminates in the divorce of her parents. Melba’s decision results in constrained family relations as her family receive numerous threats owing to her decision. Melba was bound to suffer since she opts to oppose the status quo in the educations sector. However, the book title outlines how she should handle her persecutions. She should not whine since she is undertaking a worthy course. The title makes it evident that she will suffer significant persecution from the protagonist. However, she should realize any warrior suffers persecution owing to the course they champion. The title denotes wisdom that a Melba’s grandmother passes one to her child. The words do not only contain wisdom, but also comfort a teenage girl who is undertaking a seemingly insurmountable task of resisting segregation4. Brutality earned the movement sympathy The media recorded the events, which transpired at Little Rock high school. This meant majority of the oppressed population saw what happened at the school. The caused an awakening among members of the black community. Events, which transpired at this school, provided inspiration to various people. Subsequently, the civil rights movement became more conspicuous. Melba and the other eight students selected provided inspiration to the rest of the Afro-Americans. The event is vital in the civil right movement since the American government intervened to protect a group of black students. The courage of the nine students led by Melba and the federal government provided inspiration to the civil rights movement. There was resistance among the majority of the white community who felt that the black people should not have rights. On the occurrence of the above events, the movement became more conspicuous. The governmental top hierarchy had shown its willingness to negotiate for civil rights for the minority community5. Widespread protests The movement became more conspicuous and culminated in various events. These events agitated for civil rights. However, protesters agitating for civil rights encountered violence in the quest agitate for their rights. In Mississippi, the police utilized brutal tactics to disperse protester. The images of police brutality resulted in sympathy for the civil rights movement. Most state authorities were opponents of the civil rights movements. This culminated in their violent tactics in stopping civil rights rallies. However, the brutality only strengthened the minorities’ quest for civil rights. In Alabama, black people’s revolt was quelled in a brutal manner, which resulted in numerous deaths6. The Little Rock events also culminated in the emergence of people who spearheaded the civil rights movements. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat for a white person was one of those actions that sprang her up the civil rights hierarchy. Her actions denote civil disobedience, which was a non-violent manner of fighting law that were discriminatory7. Martin Luther King Junior was also another renowned individual who made a massive contribution to this movement. He called for a non-violent movement, which utilized civil disobedience to oppose laws that oppressed the minorities. The civil rights movements became rampant in the early 1960s as the black community sought to have legislation enacted to ensure that authorities uphold their rights as members of this society. Significance of the references The New York times provide a detailed account of the events, which transpired during the civil rights movements. The newspaper provides a chronological sequence through their publications of violence and deaths, which characterize this movement. The paper reported various killings of black people ignited by their quest for civil rights. Article details the suffering of the nine Little Rock students at the institution and the intervention that the federal government made to ensure the governor allows black students to attends school8. The article also details the instability, which transpired in the Southern states, which contained the majority of the Black people. Southern states’ leaders and authorities were hostile to the enactment of civil rights bills. As such, the protests were more violent as the southern says attempted to quell rallies. The book itself provides vital information on the civil rights movements. However, the book provides insight into the movement through Melba’s account. Overall, the book provides credible information pertaining to the movement. Articles provide both reliable and chronological information on the movement over a lengthy period. Hence, New York Times’ articles are a reliable source of information. Conclusion Melba, a black teenage girl, undergoes countless tribulations as she is among the new students enrolled in schools meant for white children. This is in adherence to a court, which criminalized segregation in schools. Ordinary people in Little Rock are against any effort to have black students in their school. As such, the government had to order the federal forces to enforce the court order. The book highlights Melba’s tribulation in a segregated society. However, it also reveals her courage and ability to decide on moral choices despite her tender age. Her stand on a non-violent resistance provides instant inspiration to other oppressed individuals in America. This results in more bold civil rights movements across all states. Protest and go-slows are the most common ways of civil disobedience against an oppressive system. The people who spearhead the civil right uprising seek to champion civil rights for the black people in a non-violent manner. However, police especially in the southern states quell the peaceful protest in a brutal manner. Bibliography Claude Sitton, “Negro Sit-downs Stir Fear Of Wider Unrest in South,” New York Times, February 14, 1960, accessed November 6, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0201.html. Huston Luther, “High Court Bans School Segregation; 9-to-0 Decision Grants Time to Comply,” New York Times, May 17, 1954, accessed November 6, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0517.html. Huston Luther, “High Court Rules Bus Segregation Unconstitutional,” New York Times, November 13, 1956, accessed November 6, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/1113.html. Lewis Anthony, “400 U.S. Marshals Sent to Alabama as Montgomery Bus Riots Hurt 20; President Bids State Keep Order,” New York Times, May 20, 1961, accessed November 6, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0520.html. Lewis Anthony,“President Sends Troops to Little Rock, Federalizes Arkansas National Guard; Tells Nation He Acted to Avoid An Anarchy,” New York Times, September 24, 1957, accessed November 6, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0925.html. Patitllo Melba, Warriors Dont Cry, (New York: Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing, 2007), 1-240. Read More