Dr. Terrence Roberts . . .

. . . One of the "Little Rock Nine"

In Celebration of Black History Month our campus invited Dr. Roberts to come speak about his 1957 experience at Little Rock, Arkansas' Central High School. The school desegregation crisis put on trial America's commitment to our founding principles. It was the first significant test of the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The successful outcome affirmed the basis of that ruling--the 14th Amendment's promise of "equal protection of the laws."

The Little Rock crisis occurred in the infancy of TV and was among the first news stories filmed as events unfolded and covered daily. Photographs of mobs screaming at one of the nine and beating a black newsman helped spur President Eisenhower to act--partly because during the Cold War battle for the moral high ground the nation was embarrassed by scenes casting American society in a negative light. The worldwide coverage, generating outrage at the violent denial of basic rights, became a model for the civil rights movement's use of the media over the next decade.

The Nine initially tried to attend school on September 3, 1957 but the violence and hatred stopped them. Ultimately, President Eisenhower ordered units of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division--the "Screaming Eagles"--into Little Rock. The Nine, with the federal troop escorting them, made it inside the campus for their first full day of school on September 25 of that year. (Copied from National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior)

Dr. Roberts is a history maker. Today he was absolutely delightful. The auditorium was packed with students, educators, and community visitors. Roberts thrilled the educators in the room as he spoke about the importance and the privilege of attending school. He told students they should read one book a week for the rest of their lives. He also told them that from what he could see they all appeared to be bright with "A" brains and he wondered why anyone with an "A" brain would settle for grades lower that "A"s. I wanted to stand on the seat of my chair and cheer! He was motivational and inspirational and so encouraging.

I had asked Mr. Fun if he could clear his late afternoon schedule to attend the event with me and he did. He has said numerous times this evening that he is so glad he attended. It was even more special for the 2 of us because during the summer of 2007 the two of us traveled the Arkansas River and one of the stops was the city of Little Rock and we visited the National Historic site of Little Rock's Central High School. We both thoroughly enjoyed our visit to that city and learning the history of our nation right there in the location.

Today was also thoroughly enjoyed as we came face to face with a man who faced adversity and lived to not only tell about it, but to live life fully and to dispense warmth and love wherever he goes. Dr. Roberts book is Lessons from Little Rock.

This afternoon the college choir also performed several songs and reminded us that this summer they are traveling to South Africa for a performance tour. I looked at Mr. Fun and said, "Do you want to go too? Maybe they need chaperons."

It's been a terrific Tuesday. I enjoyed all your interesting comments yesterday. Good night for Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol


P.S. The middle photo on the bottom row includes (on the left) the president of our College Board of Trustees, Virginia Blumenthal, and on the right our college president, Dr. Brenda Davis.