Segregation Has An Interesting Story
The Little Rock Nine is nine African-American students who were all outstanding in the classroom and were from Little Rock, Arkansas. On September 4, 1957 these students started school at an all white school called Central High School. Eight of the nine students arrived at school together but they were blocked at the front doors of the school by Federal troopers. The ninth student Elizabeth Eckford, my daughter and sweet girl, got to school after the other students and was also blocked. She turned around to go home but there was a mob of students who was shouting "lynch her". When she got home and told me that I have never been more furious. Even though Ministers are not supposed to curse I let a few loud ones out. A few days later I wrote a sermon about why segregation is very bad but also has an interesting story.
Right after I said the title of my sermon a young child around the age of seven or eight commented “all segregation is bad”. I agree but I'm guessing he didn't hear my segregation story. In case anyone hasn't heard it yet, I started my sermon with the story of what happened during the desegregation at Central High in 1957. I began telling everyone that my daughter, Elizabeth, was one of the Little Rock Nine and that she arrived after the other eight students arrived. I know you great people are wondering why my wife and I let our daughter Elizabeth go there. We thought it would give her a better opportunity to learn. So, on the first day of school I didn't want Elizabeth to be the only black student riding the bus because the other black students didn't ride it. I dropped her off at the front of the school, waved, and drove back home to put on work clothes. At about 9:30, I got a call from my wife crying and saying Elizabeth wasn't let into the school because she was stopped by guards at the door. When she turned around to walk home nearly the whole school was shouting "lynch her" over and over again. Finally she was able to get out of the crowd and run home. Her mom called and said “she is crying in her bedroom now so ask your boss if you can come home and talk to her”. My boss let me come home and I told Elizabeth that the people that said “lynch her” and made fun of you will regret that and wish they never did this some day. I also told her that they didn't know they were hurting your feelings but Elizabeth said " yes they did". Another thing that made me very mad was when she told me students called her names like ni***r. I told her I will talk to the school tomorrow. The next day I woke up at six o'clock just so I could talk to the someone at the school and I talked to the Dean of Students because the Principal had a meeting. When I first sat down with the Dean, who's name was Mike, he said "I know why you’re here". When we first began talking he was very defensive and I said, "you don't have to get defensive", but don't get me wrong I was very upset. I just knew he didn't do this and that God had a plan. We decided what we would do about Elizabeth. If she does not like it here after a week we will let her leave in the middle of the school year.
When I got back home from work I told Elizabeth the plan and she was unhappy about it because she didn't want to go back. I would not either but I said "give it one more chance". When I finished the sermon the same little boy said, "segregation has an interesting story". Right after he said this I had to baptize babies. After I sprinkled water on their head I said to each baby quietly, "I hope and pray you never have to go through segregation". I am sure now everyone in this House of God thinks segregation has an interesting story. Thank you God. Church next week starts at nine and hope to see you there.
By Hogan Barnes