This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Monday, September 27, 2010
PERIOD 7 - Little Rock High School
Today you watched the documentary "Little Rock High School" in class. Please share your thoughts about the film with the class.
18 comments:
Christine Hillier
said...
As we watched the film, The Children's March in class, I tried to imagine what life would be like for me, a white, Irish teenager at that time. Would I have agreed to the same ideas and problems the White people believed about African Americans? Or would I have had an opinion of my own/stand up for what I believe is right? I'm not completely shocked (only because I watched this film with Mr. Gallagher my sophomore year) but, I do remember how I was impacted by it. The White people treated the Africans Americans with no respect. According to some Whites, the Africans Americans weren't equal, or even human to them. In ways I was glad Eisenhower demanded to have the race riots documented, but now looking back at it- I was embarrassed to believe people could be so harmful to their own kind and have no guilt. Those nine African Americans simply wanted an education, just like their fellow students. It was too much for the white people to understand how desegregating schools will help settle the issue of race in the future. I'm just happy that the color of someones' skin is not a big of an issue as it was only 60 years ago.
Watching the film i was shocked at so many actions that were taken. African Americans were arrested for simply trying to go to school, people were beat up, rocks were thrown and police let it all happen. The army eventually came in to protect the 9 african americans who were trying to go to school without any harm done. It's not like they beat people up or had a negative impact on the white students at school, why didnt they just mind their own business, they acted as if they all had cooties or something. If blacks wanted an education with the same equal rights as whites, what was the big deal? I dont get it, I look at it as being almost immature
Watching the documentary "Little Rock High School" left me with a feeling of disbelief. Even though it was the second time I've seen the film, some of the things shown in it still surprised me. One of the things that stood out to me the most was the way people talked about the African Americans. The fact that somebody compared the desegregation of schools to going against God's order was just astounding. I couldn't believe people were really that disillusioned. I agree with Christine. The film really did make me think about how I would have reacted if I were a white student at the time.
While we watched this film, I was astonished by the cruelty and harassment that these students had to face just because they wanted a better education. The riots and protests seem like such an extreme reaction to the desegregation of schools. It sounds like such a simple idea. I found it absurd that the Arkansas governor would not follow a Supreme Court decision that clearly takes precedent over internal state issues. I agree with Sarah and Christine that this video made me think about how I would react if I was a white student at this time. I like to think that I would be non-discriminatory but at the time I am sure the white people thought that they were being completely reasonable.
I was shocked to find out that such violence had taken place over the issue of desegregation. So many violent crimes were commited for the soe, purpose of keeping public schools segregated, in clear opposion of the ruling of a federal judge and court order. The mayor, the national guard, the army, and even the president became involved with what took place. It was very upsetting to see that people acted to cruelly and violently just to stop african americans from attending certain public schools. The amount of violence, anger, and hatred amongst the white citizens continues to amaze me. Its surprising that the order caused this much havoc and could turn Little Rock upside down the way that it did. It was really shocking...
After watching the film I was amazed at the events that took place over integration of schools. I thought that the little rock 9 was a noble effort, but the outcry from the whites seemed fairly unjustifiable. They were extremely distraught over a very small population of students entering their school simply because their skin was dark. These people were no different from themselves, except for the fact that they were black. I would understand the reluctance to integrate if the people entering the school were out to interrupt the educating process or cause harm to other students, but they were only there to get an enductaion, just like the white students. It is for this reason that i find the outrage from the whites so childish.
I also agree with Annie's statement explaining how the Africans Americans were not beating people up or had a negative impact on the white students at school. Again, they just wanted an education in order to have a successful future.
People can have the freedom in this country to think what they choose to think or say. However when your thoughts conflict with another’s right to freedom then it’s wrong. Yet people chose sometimes to exercise violence towards another race. Why it’s their fear to accept healthy change. Instead they fear change, and attack a public bus with Blacks and Whites. The shocking part of the video is the Governor’s ignorance in trying to go against federal orders twice.
While watching this film I was shocked with how much anger and resentment white people had to integrating schools. The things some of the white people said and did in this film were unbelievable, like what Sarah said about a white person saying they were doing God's work by not allowing the schools to integrate. I agree with Christine because this movie also made me think about how I would have reacted and what I would have done as a white student during this time period.
While watching this film, I was astonished to see the amount of cruelty and hatred that the whites forced onto the blacks. The blacks were merely trying to get a better education by attending a better school, something that any white at the time would have done too. I was also amazed at the Arkansan governor who disobeyed a supreme court order, and deliberately prevented the students from attending school.
This film surprised me with the overwhelming opposition from the whites towards integrating Central High School in Little Rock. This is shown by the reactions from the different schools when the integration was first implemented. The black students attending the white high school needed to have the U.S. soldiers present for the first day of school in order to control potential riots or violence. However, there were no significant conflicts or violence at black schools when white students were forced to attend. This race conflict between whites and blacks is viewed very one-sided by the whites, as they feel they should have more rights than blacks, and they don’t want them in their schools, and they are willing to act violently if they don’t receive what they want. However, blacks only desire to be treated equally as whites, not to be superior, and they only want to share the same public schools as whites do, not exclude all whites. I also agree with Mike, that the governor of Arkansas went to the extreme when he overruled a Supreme Court decision in order to disallow the integration of schools.
I agree with Nick when he said that when he was watching the film that he was shocked about all the anger directed to intergrated schools. This was also my second time seeing the film and it surprised me again, and I think it will everytime I view it. There was so much hatred and so much violence for something; that to us doesn't seem like such a big ordeal. But this film definently made me think about how I would of acted as a white citizen.
After watching this film, I was amazed at what people were capable of doing to other people. I found it especially hard that not only were people hurting other people but they were hurting these children that were just trying to get an education. I also find this disturbing because it did not happen all that long ago and these people are still walking around today with the memory of this awful ordeal. I agree with Sean that the amount of hatred toward these students was astonishing.
As i watched the film I thought about all the whites that used violence as a means of protesting the Little Rock 9 and i just thought that I could never imagine anyone in Westborough doing something that extreme. Then i began to think that given the enviorment, the whites in Little Rock probaly didn't know to act any different and probaly just assumed that since Orville Faubus opposed integration in schools, that was the best idea when in fact it wasn't. I also agree with Mike that it is disgusting that the Little Rock 9 were met with such violent oppostion when they were just trying to go to school and they did nothing violent to justify the actions of the whites.
I have also seen this film before, but even if I watched it everyday for the rest of my life, I do believe I would still feel the same shame and outrage for the heinous acts committed by the whites. Acts committed to hurt a very small group of school children and their parents, and even a reporter who was mistaken for a parent. Because these crimes went unpunished by police who shared the belief of white supremacy, and no white man or woman who had power stood up for what was right, it made me wonder. Like Christine, I tried hard to decide what I would have done as a young caucasian student or even as a Caucasian male in power. We'd all like to say that we would be the one rising up and making a difference, but I can see why some political figures back then who didn't belive in white supremacy took the passive route and said 'I think I'd rather be voted in another term.'
Watching the documentary in class about what happened in Little Rock not too long ago was surprising to me. I always new that years ago in the south, blacks were not treated equally and for that matter not very well. Watching actual video clips throughout the film showed me what happened first hand, and saying that blacks were not treated equally and badly is a complete understatement. No matter how racist a person may be I did not think it would lead to things that were shown in the film. I agree with Sara about how people are disillusioned and how they can act towards another human being, not matter what color, or point in time in our history.
After watching this filim, I was ashamed and disapointed in the society that we live in. I couldn't believe all the discrimination and ridicule african americans had to go through just to recieve a good education. They were beat up, discriminated against, rocks were thrown at them, etc. Most importantly, the police did very little to prevent this from happening. I agree with Annie in that I don't understand why the white community couldn't just let the african americans go to school with them. Also, this film helped me realize how easy we have it today as I could never imagine this happening.
18 comments:
As we watched the film, The Children's March in class, I tried to imagine what life would be like for me, a white, Irish teenager at that time. Would I have agreed to the same ideas and problems the White people believed about African Americans? Or would I have had an opinion of my own/stand up for what I believe is right? I'm not completely shocked (only because I watched this film with Mr. Gallagher my sophomore year) but, I do remember how I was impacted by it. The White people treated the Africans Americans with no respect. According to some Whites, the Africans Americans weren't equal, or even human to them. In ways I was glad Eisenhower demanded to have the race riots documented, but now looking back at it- I was embarrassed to believe people could be so harmful to their own kind and have no guilt. Those nine African Americans simply wanted an education, just like their fellow students. It was too much for the white people to understand how desegregating schools will help settle the issue of race in the future. I'm just happy that the color of someones' skin is not a big of an issue as it was only 60 years ago.
Watching the film i was shocked at so many actions that were taken. African Americans were arrested for simply trying to go to school, people were beat up, rocks were thrown and police let it all happen. The army eventually came in to protect the 9 african americans who were trying to go to school without any harm done. It's not like they beat people up or had a negative impact on the white students at school, why didnt they just mind their own business, they acted as if they all had cooties or something. If blacks wanted an education with the same equal rights as whites, what was the big deal? I dont get it, I look at it as being almost immature
Watching the documentary "Little Rock High School" left me with a feeling of disbelief. Even though it was the second time I've seen the film, some of the things shown in it still surprised me. One of the things that stood out to me the most was the way people talked about the African Americans. The fact that somebody compared the desegregation of schools to going against God's order was just astounding. I couldn't believe people were really that disillusioned. I agree with Christine. The film really did make me think about how I would have reacted if I were a white student at the time.
While we watched this film, I was astonished by the cruelty and harassment that these students had to face just because they wanted a better education. The riots and protests seem like such an extreme reaction to the desegregation of schools. It sounds like such a simple idea. I found it absurd that the Arkansas governor would not follow a Supreme Court decision that clearly takes precedent over internal state issues. I agree with Sarah and Christine that this video made me think about how I would react if I was a white student at this time. I like to think that I would be non-discriminatory but at the time I am sure the white people thought that they were being completely reasonable.
I was shocked to find out that such violence had taken place over the issue of desegregation. So many violent crimes were commited for the soe, purpose of keeping public schools segregated, in clear opposion of the ruling of a federal judge and court order. The mayor, the national guard, the army, and even the president became involved with what took place. It was very upsetting to see that people acted to cruelly and violently just to stop african americans from attending certain public schools. The amount of violence, anger, and hatred amongst the white citizens continues to amaze me. Its surprising that the order caused this much havoc and could turn Little Rock upside down the way that it did. It was really shocking...
I was absent for this film.
After watching the film I was amazed at the events that took place over integration of schools. I thought that the little rock 9 was a noble effort, but the outcry from the whites seemed fairly unjustifiable. They were extremely distraught over a very small population of students entering their school simply because their skin was dark. These people were no different from themselves, except for the fact that they were black. I would understand the reluctance to integrate if the people entering the school were out to interrupt the educating process or cause harm to other students, but they were only there to get an enductaion, just like the white students. It is for this reason that i find the outrage from the whites so childish.
I also agree with Annie's statement explaining how the Africans Americans were not beating people up or had a negative impact on the white students at school. Again, they just wanted an education in order to have a successful future.
People can have the freedom in this country to think what they choose to think or say. However when your thoughts conflict with another’s right to freedom then it’s wrong. Yet people chose sometimes to exercise violence towards another race. Why it’s their fear to accept healthy change. Instead they fear change, and attack a public bus with Blacks and Whites. The shocking part of the video is the Governor’s ignorance in trying to go against federal orders twice.
While watching this film I was shocked with how much anger and resentment white people had to integrating schools. The things some of the white people said and did in this film were unbelievable, like what Sarah said about a white person saying they were doing God's work by not allowing the schools to integrate. I agree with Christine because this movie also made me think about how I would have reacted and what I would have done as a white student during this time period.
While watching this film, I was astonished to see the amount of cruelty and hatred that the whites forced onto the blacks. The blacks were merely trying to get a better education by attending a better school, something that any white at the time would have done too. I was also amazed at the Arkansan governor who disobeyed a supreme court order, and deliberately prevented the students from attending school.
This film surprised me with the overwhelming opposition from the whites towards integrating Central High School in Little Rock. This is shown by the reactions from the different schools when the integration was first implemented. The black students attending the white high school needed to have the U.S. soldiers present for the first day of school in order to control potential riots or violence. However, there were no significant conflicts or violence at black schools when white students were forced to attend. This race conflict between whites and blacks is viewed very one-sided by the whites, as they feel they should have more rights than blacks, and they don’t want them in their schools, and they are willing to act violently if they don’t receive what they want. However, blacks only desire to be treated equally as whites, not to be superior, and they only want to share the same public schools as whites do, not exclude all whites. I also agree with Mike, that the governor of Arkansas went to the extreme when he overruled a Supreme Court decision in order to disallow the integration of schools.
I agree with Nick when he said that when he was watching the film that he was shocked about all the anger directed to intergrated schools. This was also my second time seeing the film and it surprised me again, and I think it will everytime I view it. There was so much hatred and so much violence for something; that to us doesn't seem like such a big ordeal. But this film definently made me think about how I would of acted as a white citizen.
After watching this film, I was amazed at what people were capable of doing to other people. I found it especially hard that not only were people hurting other people but they were hurting these children that were just trying to get an education. I also find this disturbing because it did not happen all that long ago and these people are still walking around today with the memory of this awful ordeal. I agree with Sean that the amount of hatred toward these students was astonishing.
As i watched the film I thought about all the whites that used violence as a means of protesting the Little Rock 9 and i just thought that I could never imagine anyone in Westborough doing something that extreme. Then i began to think that given the enviorment, the whites in Little Rock probaly didn't know to act any different and probaly just assumed that since Orville Faubus opposed integration in schools, that was the best idea when in fact it wasn't. I also agree with Mike that it is disgusting that the Little Rock 9 were met with such violent oppostion when they were just trying to go to school and they did nothing violent to justify the actions of the whites.
I have also seen this film before, but even if I watched it everyday for the rest of my life, I do believe I would still feel the same shame and outrage for the heinous acts committed by the whites. Acts committed to hurt a very small group of school children and their parents, and even a reporter who was mistaken for a parent. Because these crimes went unpunished by police who shared the belief of white supremacy, and no white man or woman who had power stood up for what was right, it made me wonder. Like Christine, I tried hard to decide what I would have done as a young caucasian student or even as a Caucasian male in power. We'd all like to say that we would be the one rising up and making a difference, but I can see why some political figures back then who didn't belive in white supremacy took the passive route and said 'I think I'd rather be voted in another term.'
Watching the documentary in class about what happened in Little Rock not too long ago was surprising to me. I always new that years ago in the south, blacks were not treated equally and for that matter not very well. Watching actual video clips throughout the film showed me what happened first hand, and saying that blacks were not treated equally and badly is a complete understatement. No matter how racist a person may be I did not think it would lead to things that were shown in the film. I agree with Sara about how people are disillusioned and how they can act towards another human being, not matter what color, or point in time in our history.
After watching this filim, I was ashamed and disapointed in the society that we live in. I couldn't believe all the discrimination and ridicule african americans had to go through just to recieve a good education. They were beat up, discriminated against, rocks were thrown at them, etc. Most importantly, the police did very little to prevent this from happening. I agree with Annie in that I don't understand why the white community couldn't just let the african americans go to school with them. Also, this film helped me realize how easy we have it today as I could never imagine this happening.
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