Today, I am thankful for those who stand up to intimidation.
Social integration is never easy. I recall my first day of elementary school in 1978, after my family had moved from Cliffside Park, New Jersey, to Jacksonville, Florida. Attending a new school surrounded by many other fifth grade children I did not know was extremely anxiety-provoking. Luckily, I immediately made friends with some classmates who lived in my neighborhood, thereby helping to smooth my transition into a diverse new world. Fortunately, I did not encounter intimidating threats or vicious castigations, but rather a welcoming atmosphere (despite my laughable New Jersey accent). A few years later, I attended the seventh grade in downtown Jacksonville, at Matthew Gilbert Middle School. As part of the integration measures of Duval County, I was immersed into a different learning environment that taught me something more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. Although the bus ride every day took more than one hour from where I lived in San Jose to the Eastside of town, I learned a lesson I’ll never forget – the power of diversity and inclusivity.
I’m grateful I never had to encounter a bully in any of my school interactions. Sadly, others have not experienced similar fates. The landmark ruling by the United States Supreme Court in 1954, Brown vs. Board of Education, concluded that ‘separate but equal’ schooling was unconstitutional and ‘had no place’ in our nation. The nine Supreme Court justices unanimously overruled the practice of segregating students into different schools based on one’s race, as it ‘deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.’ With the issuance of this ruling, schools throughout the United States were ordered to implement integration measures with ‘all deliberate speed.’ Although many states worked diligently to enact integration policies, a few evaded the process and purposefully used stall tactics. One obstinate state leader, Governor Orval Faubus, chose to ignore the mandate after nine African American students were granted admission into the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. When these nine brave students arrived to school on the first day of class in early September 1957, what they faced was anything but welcoming. As they calmly made their way through an angry mob, they endured the ire of that hostile crowd that reigned down racial slurs, yelled obscenities, and threw objects at the innocent students. As these nine bold stalwarts slowly made their way to the edifice of higher education, they calmly kept their eyes focused forward. Fortunately, the President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Daisy Bates, had prepared the intrepid crew to face the intimidation in a non-violent manner. However, as they reached the building, members of the US National Guard, called out by Governor Faubus, precluded their entrance. The nine students were forced to turn around and go home.
Three weeks later on this day (Sept 23), the nine fearless students gained entrance into the school via a side door. However, after only attending three hours of classes, the students had to flee the building under police escort after an awakened mob threatened to invade the premises. That evening, President Dwight Eisenhower had seen enough, calling a national order to ‘cease and desist.’. He federalized the Arkansas National Guard and sent in approximately a thousand army paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division to secure the entrance of the nine students. Two days later, these fearless teenagers entered the school under their military protection. Interestingly, the troops would remain stationed at Central High School for the remainder of the school year; however, the students continued to endure persecution and ridicule within the school. Governor Faubus continued to fight the measure, even choosing to close all the high schools for a year while the legal fight ensued. Eventually, the ‘Lost Year’ passed, as did the frivolous legal challenge, and the schools were reopened in 1959. Justice would rule the day, and the Little Rock Nine would secure their well-deserved education and eventual graduation.
When you think you’re having a bad day, take a second to think about those nine young, brave souls who exhibited resiliency in the face of vociferous opposition. They shattered racial segregation by standing firm in their pursuits, undeterred by those who employ scare tactics and place obstacles in their way.
Sometimes the best thing one can do to a bully is stand up to them in a peaceful manner. Nelson Mandela stood up to South African Apartheid despite 27 years of incarceration. Rose Parks persevered by holding her ground in a Montgomery city bus. More recently, thousands of women confronted Harvey Weinstein and other sexual-abusing predators through a nationwide ‘Me too’ campaign.
The fight against racism, bigotry, and sexual harassment is not over. Stand up for what is right by standing up for your rights. Never give up the fight.
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