The Little Rock Nine were a brave group of African Americans who, in 1975, boldly registered in the all-white Central High School. In other words, they chose to defy public school segregation and fueled the campaign for equality and fairness in American education. It was a pivotal moment for the nation since racial segregation in schools was commonplace among the populace. In reality, America had a segregated system generally recognized in its public spaces and educational institutions in the South. The Little Rock Nine asserted that this system could not persist after being overturned by a Supreme Court justice.
Consequently, the Little Rock Nine helped to desegregate many public places in the South and many parts of America. The nine’s courageous efforts attracted international attention to racism and civil rights in the U. S. In the video, White Central High School students demonstrated against the admission of the Nine. They even threatened to hang one of them to deter the remaining African American children from attending all-white institutions. Throughout the demonstrations, Whites harassed black reporters who were documenting the events. One of them was L. Alex Wilson, who was beaten and injured by White protestors.
Undoubtedly, the Nine triggered a chain of events that forced President Eisenhower to send the army to protect them. This way, the U.S government affirmed its commitment to the constitution and the rule of law. It reminded the world that it respected and valued all its citizens. Many Americans began to see the negative consequences of segregation and racism. In turn, the majority of public schools stopped practicing segregation. Today, America is counted among the countries with the most diverse ethnicities. Unlike when Whites rallied against Blacks fighting for their civil rights in the 1950s and 60s, they join them today.
A classic example is the recent Black Lives Matter protests against increased police brutality and murder of African Americans by law enforcement. Americans from all walks of life participate in these protests because they believe in equality and fair treatment of all races. If the nine had given up on their objective, these civil rights milestones would not have been achieved.