Little Rock & The Lost Year Flashcards
Little Rock Nine
10 black students chosen to integrate Central High
Gov. Faubus denies them entry from Central High
Pres. Eisenhower calls out the 101st Airborne to ensure their safety
How did Central High compare to Paul L. Dunbar High School?
Central- across 3 blocks, several stories high, cost $1.5 million to build, whites only
Dunbar- only 34 classrooms, blacks only, cost $400,000
Types of abuse Melba and the other teens faced?
punched, kicked, had their heels stepped on, acid thrown in their eyes, threatened with knives, spit on, verbal abuse
Melba’s reaction to Cincinnati?
In Cincinnati white people are nice to black people.
Melba wants to live there where she feels equal and safe.
Melba as an infant in the hospital?
Melba got an infection when she was an infant.
She had a drainage system inserted beneath her scalp.
When she didn’t get better, white nurses and doctors would not examine her.
A black janitor told her they had said to use Epsom salts, but the nurses never told her mom.
She got better after that.
How was Minnijean suspended?
Minnijean spilled chili on a white boy who would not let her through the cafeteria.
What happened to students and teachers during The Lost Year?
4 high schools closed so they would not have to integrate. This meant teachers lost their jobs, and students had to find some other way to continue their education.
What happened to sports during the Lost Year?
Nobody from the closed schools got to play sports except white students from Central High who played on the football team and cheerleading squad.
What were the options for white students to get an education during the Lost Year? (6)
private school in a church basement, pay tuition to go to Catholic school, take correspondence counselor, fake address to go to N. Little Rock school, go to junior college, sent to live with relatives, take tv classes
What were the options for black students to get an education during the Lost Year? (3)
few spots in N. Little Rock black schools,
one integrated Catholic private school,
sent to live with relatives
For how many whites was it a Lost Year? Blacks?
Whites- 7.7%
Blacks- 50%
How did the Lost Year end? What actions ended it?
The WEC won a referendum to recall 3 board members. The schools were then reopened.
What does STOP & WEC stand for?
STOP- Stop This Outrageous Purge
WEC- Women’s Emergency Committee
Where are the Little Rock Nine sculptures?
Arkansas State Capitol grounds,
Outside the Governor’s window
Little Rock Central High 50 years later, which students take buses vs driving cars to school?
Whites drive cars,
Blacks ride buses.
