Members of The Chamber Leadership Class visiting Central High School
In a recent trip to the states capitol the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce Leadership class took time to reflect on the history of the desegregation of the public schools system by visiting Little Rock Central High School.
The school which in the fall of 1957 became a flashpoint for racial tension as the integration of ten black students caused a mob of protestors to form at the campus for weeks. Following a political standoff between the then governor of Arkansas and President Eisenhower on September 24 nine students were escorted into the school with the assistance of military guards.
The class took part in a two hour tour hosted by the National Parks Service in which the historical events are brought to life by walking and discussing locations around the campus. Visual aids are used along with dramatic storytelling by a park interpreter. The sobering experience makes the historical events come alive in a way that can get lost when simply reading the story in a book.
Natalie Blair, a member of this years leadership class shared a personal connection to the site as her father was deployed from the National Guard at the time in response to the crisis and believes that tangible experiences like those at Central High School are important to preserve the story of struggle that took place at the site.
Listen:
The tour teaches that these where not just nine black students but real people like us who had hopes and dreams for the future. Melba Pattillo, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Minnijean Brown, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls, Jefferson Thomas, Gloria Ray, and Thelma Mothershed where trailblazers who’s bravery that day opened doors for others to enter that simply did not exist until then.
The Chamber integrates these educational opportunities for their leadership classes to challenge the participants and spur discussions in an effort to create more informed community members and leaders.
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