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We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.®
In the last few years, I've been reading more about the African experience in the United States. One book, Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock, spurred my interest in visiting Little Rock, Arkansas.
First, I stopped at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.
It's a small museum across the road from the attractive campus of Central High School where students still attend.
The museum contains storyboards, which tell the story of America's segregated schools.
In 1954, the U S Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, ruled that racial segregation was unconstitutional.
In 1957, nine Black students prepared to enter Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. But they were barred by the Arkansas National Guard.
The black students faced fierce opposition from the crowd. The classic photo reveals a sea of hostile and otherwise unfriendly white faces.
These black students stayed away from school until federal troops could safely escort them into the High School.
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Next, I went to the capitol building to locate the sculpture, Testament. It is a powerful image of the Little Rock Nine attempting to go to school. They face the capitol building, a symbol of government opposition to desegregation in many states.
