This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
"Little Rock 50 Years Later" - Period 5
For the past couple of days we've watched the HBO Special Little Rock Central High School 50 Years Later. I would like you to tell me what stands out the most about the film and what you will take away from seeing it.
23 comments:
Alecia Ferretti
said...
What stands out to me most about this film is the fact that the students don't seem to realize what they have been given. They've been given the chance to succeed and excel at Central High School but most African-American students don't take their academics seriously. I imagine the original 9 African-American students are very disappointed with the way the school is today. I think from now on I will be more grateful for the opportunities available through WHS.
I agree with Alecia. These kids don't know how much of a gift they have and how much of a responsibility they have by going to the school. I'm dissapointed in America that they have let this happen. We put a negative stereotype on black people so some of the blame falls on us. However, many black teens don't seem to want to do anything to change that stereotype. I was also amazed at how run down the city and the area surrounding the school got. It didn't seem like a safe learning area for anybody.
I agree with both Alecia and Andrew. It seems natural that the students, since they're surrounded by so much civil rights history, would take full advantageous of the opportunities presented to them. Also, the area surrounding the school had been utteraly transformed. I don't understand why people don't try to clean it up a bit. Since there are so many suffering people, espeically African Americans, why don't people do something? Or at least take full advangage of a good education? I think I will appreciate all that I've been given by attending WHS a lot more now. I never realized I had it so good...in all aspects.
I agree with everyone when they said that the kids do not understand the importance of the opportunities that they are given. The one thing that stood out to me was that the kids, and even the principal said that Central High School is two schools. They believe that the school is still seperated between the African Americans and the white kids. The civil rights veteran, seemed very disappointed in the way the classroom was set up. With the seperation of the races. It almost seems as if the kids take advantage of what they have.
I agree with Mackenzie when she says, "Central High School is two schools." I was surprised with the amount of segregation there still was and how classes seemed to be separated. Whats stands out to me the most is that although on the outside the school seems to be good on the inside there is still a lot of racism and it seems like the school has not changed much in 50 years.
This film came as a surprise to me because of the academic segregation that occured to Central High. Through out the film it is evident that people of different ethnicities avoid each other. This was very surprising to me because of the historical signifigance of the High school itself. It was very surprising to learn about the conditions some of these students lived under. I was also impressed by the quality of the High school despite its rundown surroundings.
Central High School in Little Rock really is two schools. Students have been integrated but they segregate themselves from other races. These kids do not understand all the opportunity available to them if they were to put in a small amount of effort. Like Alecia said, I would think that the first 9 African American students would be very disappointed to see what they stood up for, never really did anything for the school but put all different people in the same building. It has been 50 years and there are still no signs of a change.
While i was watching the movie, i was horffied at what i saw. the 9 black students are not being aloowed into school becasue of their race. today, 50 years later, the school is still seprated. these kids have the oppertuintes to learn and have a better life.
I agree with everyone who said that the kids dont understand the oppertunity they were given. It was shocking to see how some African American students didnt care a world about their grades and said that it was because they had "harder lives" than the white students. I was shocked to see so many excuses made and nothing being done to fix the situation.
I completely agree with alecia about how the original 9 would be so disappointed in the way the students have once again made the school segregated. I mean in the opening scene I believe it was Thelma Mothershed who was one of the original nine who still to this day in shock when she saw the school 50 years after the original intrigration. What also stood out to me was that it wasn't just the students that segregated themselves, it was their parents. When there was a school meeting, the white parents got together and talked at a couple tables, and the African American parents gathered in a group by themselves. See it starts out with how you see your parents act, if I were to see my parents acting different around African American parents then I would treat African Americans the same way as my parents. Luckily where we live today the racism is not as strong as it is down in the South. Along with parents, AP classes also segregate the school. The AP courses are mainly filled with white students, while the underachieving courses are filled by African Americans, mostly male. The most visable thing I saw during this film was the nothing really changed in Little Rock from 50 years ago. Yes, the school is intigrated, but what is the point of intigration if the African Americans who once thrieved in school are now failing out of schools and dropping out? I think that if the school were to finally become intrigrated and have whites and blacks together as equals in the classroom, then I could finally say that the school is intrigated.
I was very surprised by how segregated Central High School was 50 years later. When we watched the first film about how the school was first integrated 50 years ago, i walked away from the film thinking that today there would be no gap between white students and black students. I agree with Alecia when she said, "I imagine the original 9 African-American students are very disappointed with the way the school is today". They were so couragous to be put in the situation that they were and succede in a racist white school. I was not surprised by the dissapointment when Thelma Mothershed, 50 years later, saw the white students on one side and the black students on the other.
I agree with Alecia the children dont fully realize what they were given. It was such a struggle just to get them into the classroom and was such a major accomplishment. The thing that stuck out the most to me was that Central High School is still so segragated. There are still differences between whites and blacks in school and in their lives. You can still see that this issue is still the same 50 years later it is so amazing how some things never change.
I agree with Alecia and the fact that the students don't seem to realize the chance they have been given. It is amazing to me to see how the students are still segregated in classrooms, and especially during their lunch time. When the students are asked about this they say "it's just how it works, we sit like this because it just how it works." If I went to Central High School i would make a difference and interact more with African Americans.
I found that what takes place at Central High School is alot like the movie "Freedom Writers." The kids that come from a minority background were in lower level classes and the richer kids were in AP classes. In the past past african american students were not given the same oppertunities as white students. But today everyone is given the same chance to earn a proper education. Its sad to see people believe in their stereotype and not themselves. I do believe that some kids don't have the time to try in school because they have other responsibilities.
I agree with Andy that this movie relates a lot to the movie "Freedom Writers". This is because the minorities don't get everything that the richer kids have. Such as books and learning as much as the richer kids. It's upsetting to see howthe kids are still seperated by their race. It is hard to relate to from our school because it is so different. I am more thankful now since i watched this movie to go to Westborough High.
What stands out the most for me in this film is the fact that although segregation is outlawed in the United Sates, The school looks like one of the most segregated schools in the country. In Westborough there is a very limited variety of races, however in our school everyone is accepted in any group of friends. All races sit outside as well as in. The boy that said "white people are more racist than me!" may have made one of the most racist and ironic comments that I have ever heard. I take away from watching this film is that always be aware of what is around you and the choices you make. Because the choices you make have an impact on how others view you.
What stood out to me the most was the fact that almost everyone acknowledged the fact that central high school hasn't made the changes it has to and that they still have a lot more to do to be completely integrated. Also the emphasis the school puts on AP classes was kind of surprising to me. It's kind of dissapointing to see the sepraration of races at the school because when you think of Little Rock you think of culutural diversity in a positive way but all of the students at central were describing the school in a negative way because of the separation. I think there's so much stereotyping of blacks and whites in that school because many of the students can't see outside their box or their school. Some of them don't realize what great oppurtunities they have.
I agree with Mackenzie when she says, "Central High School is two schools." There is a part of the high school that has a majority of black students, and then there is a majority of the students that are white. The lower classes are mostly filled with the blacks. The higher classes at the school are filled with mostly whites. As stated the AP classes are filled with almost all whites with the occasional black person. At the high school they are given a very good opportunity to succeed but they turn it down by not trying. I agree with Alecia when she says "I imagine the original 9 African-American students are very disappointed with the way the school is today". It seemed to me that the African Americans didn’t want to change the way people think and stereotype towards there race. This film showed me that i have it good at WHS.
This film really opens eyes. it shows us that racism is not fdead it stille xists in our country. One part that really spoke to me was the scene where the teacher asked her class if they knew anyone who had been murdered. It was the exact same scene as freedom writers and it really just struck me to see an event froma movie displayed unscripted in real life.
I agree with Mackenzie when she says that Central is like two seperate schools. It seems like such a circular situation. The kids feel no pressure form their parents to suceed, so they don't become anything, and then they in turn will not pressure their kids to bocome anything better. It is a hard cycle to break free form. I thing it will only work when more students take the initiative that the one girl showed, and schoose to seak something better
I thiNC the kids of little roCC hav no wants to get out of their neighborhoods. They are bkloods better known as slobs so i doubt they ever wanna leave their home. The white kids seem to excel better cuz they are more determined and the blaCC kids complain alot.
23 comments:
What stands out to me most about this film is the fact that the students don't seem to realize what they have been given. They've been given the chance to succeed and excel at Central High School but most African-American students don't take their academics seriously. I imagine the original 9 African-American students are very disappointed with the way the school is today. I think from now on I will be more grateful for the opportunities available through WHS.
I agree with Alecia. These kids don't know how much of a gift they have and how much of a responsibility they have by going to the school. I'm dissapointed in America that they have let this happen. We put a negative stereotype on black people so some of the blame falls on us. However, many black teens don't seem to want to do anything to change that stereotype. I was also amazed at how run down the city and the area surrounding the school got. It didn't seem like a safe learning area for anybody.
I agree with both Alecia and Andrew. It seems natural that the students, since they're surrounded by so much civil rights history, would take full advantageous of the opportunities presented to them. Also, the area surrounding the school had been utteraly transformed. I don't understand why people don't try to clean it up a bit. Since there are so many suffering people, espeically African Americans, why don't people do something? Or at least take full advangage of a good education? I think I will appreciate all that I've been given by attending WHS a lot more now. I never realized I had it so good...in all aspects.
I agree with everyone when they said that the kids do not understand the importance of the opportunities that they are given. The one thing that stood out to me was that the kids, and even the principal said that Central High School is two schools. They believe that the school is still seperated between the African Americans and the white kids. The civil rights veteran, seemed very disappointed in the way the classroom was set up. With the seperation of the races. It almost seems as if the kids take advantage of what they have.
I agree with Mackenzie when she says, "Central High School is two schools." I was surprised with the amount of segregation there still was and how classes seemed to be separated. Whats stands out to me the most is that although on the outside the school seems to be good on the inside there is still a lot of racism and it seems like the school has not changed much in 50 years.
This film came as a surprise to me because of the academic segregation that occured to Central High. Through out the film it is evident that people of different ethnicities avoid each other. This was very surprising to me because of the historical signifigance of the High school itself. It was very surprising to learn about the conditions some of these students lived under. I was also impressed by the quality of the High school despite its rundown surroundings.
Central High School in Little Rock really is two schools. Students have been integrated but they segregate themselves from other races. These kids do not understand all the opportunity available to them if they were to put in a small amount of effort. Like Alecia said, I would think that the first 9 African American students would be very disappointed to see what they stood up for, never really did anything for the school but put all different people in the same building. It has been 50 years and there are still no signs of a change.
While i was watching the movie, i was horffied at what i saw. the 9 black students are not being aloowed into school becasue of their race. today, 50 years later, the school is still seprated. these kids have the oppertuintes to learn and have a better life.
I agree with everyone who said that the kids dont understand the oppertunity they were given. It was shocking to see how some African American students didnt care a world about their grades and said that it was because they had "harder lives" than the white students. I was shocked to see so many excuses made and nothing being done to fix the situation.
The one above is mine
I completely agree with alecia about how the original 9 would be so disappointed in the way the students have once again made the school segregated. I mean in the opening scene I believe it was Thelma Mothershed who was one of the original nine who still to this day in shock when she saw the school 50 years after the original intrigration. What also stood out to me was that it wasn't just the students that segregated themselves, it was their parents. When there was a school meeting, the white parents got together and talked at a couple tables, and the African American parents gathered in a group by themselves. See it starts out with how you see your parents act, if I were to see my parents acting different around African American parents then I would treat African Americans the same way as my parents. Luckily where we live today the racism is not as strong as it is down in the South. Along with parents, AP classes also segregate the school. The AP courses are mainly filled with white students, while the underachieving courses are filled by African Americans, mostly male. The most visable thing I saw during this film was the nothing really changed in Little Rock from 50 years ago. Yes, the school is intigrated, but what is the point of intigration if the African Americans who once thrieved in school are now failing out of schools and dropping out? I think that if the school were to finally become intrigrated and have whites and blacks together as equals in the classroom, then I could finally say that the school is intrigated.
I was very surprised by how segregated Central High School was 50 years later. When we watched the first film about how the school was first integrated 50 years ago, i walked away from the film thinking that today there would be no gap between white students and black students. I agree with Alecia when she said, "I imagine the original 9 African-American students are very disappointed with the way the school is today". They were so couragous to be put in the situation that they were and succede in a racist white school. I was not surprised by the dissapointment when Thelma Mothershed, 50 years later, saw the white students on one side and the black students on the other.
I agree with Alecia the children dont fully realize what they were given. It was such a struggle just to get them into the classroom and was such a major accomplishment. The thing that stuck out the most to me was that Central High School is still so segragated. There are still differences between whites and blacks in school and in their lives. You can still see that this issue is still the same 50 years later it is so amazing how some things never change.
I agree with Alecia and the fact that the students don't seem to realize the chance they have been given. It is amazing to me to see how the students are still segregated in classrooms, and especially during their lunch time. When the students are asked about this they say "it's just how it works, we sit like this because it just how it works." If I went to Central High School i would make a difference and interact more with African Americans.
I found that what takes place at Central High School is alot like the movie "Freedom Writers." The kids that come from a minority background were in lower level classes and the richer kids were in AP classes. In the past past african american students were not given the same oppertunities as white students. But today everyone is given the same chance to earn a proper education. Its sad to see people believe in their stereotype and not themselves. I do believe that some kids don't have the time to try in school because they have other responsibilities.
I agree with Andy that this movie relates a lot to the movie "Freedom Writers". This is because the minorities don't get everything that the richer kids have. Such as books and learning as much as the richer kids. It's upsetting to see howthe kids are still seperated by their race. It is hard to relate to from our school because it is so different. I am more thankful now since i watched this movie to go to Westborough High.
What stands out the most for me in this film is the fact that although segregation is outlawed in the United Sates, The school looks like one of the most segregated schools in the country. In Westborough there is a very limited variety of races, however in our school everyone is accepted in any group of friends. All races sit outside as well as in. The boy that said "white people are more racist than me!" may have made one of the most racist and ironic comments that I have ever heard. I take away from watching this film is that always be aware of what is around you and the choices you make. Because the choices you make have an impact on how others view you.
What stood out to me the most was the fact that almost everyone acknowledged the fact that central high school hasn't made the changes it has to and that they still have a lot more to do to be completely integrated. Also the emphasis the school puts on AP classes was kind of surprising to me. It's kind of dissapointing to see the sepraration of races at the school because when you think of Little Rock you think of culutural diversity in a positive way but all of the students at central were describing the school in a negative way because of the separation. I think there's so much stereotyping of blacks and whites in that school because many of the students can't see outside their box or their school. Some of them don't realize what great oppurtunities they have.
I agree with Mackenzie when she says, "Central High School is two schools." There is a part of the high school that has a majority of black students, and then there is a majority of the students that are white. The lower classes are mostly filled with the blacks. The higher classes at the school are filled with mostly whites. As stated the AP classes are filled with almost all whites with the occasional black person. At the high school they are given a very good opportunity to succeed but they turn it down by not trying. I agree with Alecia when she says "I imagine the original 9 African-American students are very disappointed with the way the school is today". It seemed to me that the African Americans didn’t want to change the way people think and stereotype towards there race. This film showed me that i have it good at WHS.
This film really opens eyes. it shows us that racism is not fdead it stille xists in our country. One part that really spoke to me was the scene where the teacher asked her class if they knew anyone who had been murdered. It was the exact same scene as freedom writers and it really just struck me to see an event froma movie displayed unscripted in real life.
I agree with Mackenzie when she says that Central is like two seperate schools. It seems like such a circular situation. The kids feel no pressure form their parents to suceed, so they don't become anything, and then they in turn will not pressure their kids to bocome anything better. It is a hard cycle to break free form. I thing it will only work when more students take the initiative that the one girl showed, and schoose to seak something better
I thiNC the kids of little roCC hav no wants to get out of their neighborhoods. They are bkloods better known as slobs so i doubt they ever wanna leave their home. The white kids seem to excel better cuz they are more determined and the blaCC kids complain alot.
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