Talk:Little Rock Nine/Archive 1

Discrepancy with Elizabeth Eckford page?
I noticed that on the Little Rock Nine page it says "On Monday, September 23, the police quietly slipped the nine students into the school. When the protesters learned that the nine black students were inside, they began confronting the outnumbered line of policemen. When white residents began to riot, the nine students were escorted out of the school." However, on the Elizabeth Eckford page, it says "They tried again without success to attend Central High on September 23, 1957."

There also seems to be some conflict between "The next day, September 24, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent U.S. Army troops to accompany the Little Rock Nine to school for protection. The Little Rock Nine were supposed to go together, but their meeting place was changed the previous night. Elizabeth had no phone, Daisy Bates intended to go to their place early the next day but never made it.... The following day the students found out the National Guard was being removed, they all couldn't wait to go to school that Monday and start their new school." (that being from the Eckford article) and the Little Rock Nine quote "On September 24, the President ordered the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army to Little Rock and federalized the entire 10,000 member Arkansas National Guard, taking it out of the hands of Governor Faubus. The 101st took positions immediately, and the nine students successfully entered the school on the next day, Wednesday, September 25, 1957." In the Eckford article, the 25th is implied to be a Friday, but in the LRN article it is said to be a Wednesday, among other things. Which is right? What really happened? --Alex60466176 (talk) 02:55, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

Little Rock Nine in quotes or not?
I've noticed that the formatting of the words Little Rock Nine is inconsistent throughout the article... Should it be in quotes ("Little Rock Nine"), in italics, or with no special formatting since the nickname is very commonly used? Chainer29 22:41, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Armed Escort
According to several sources used in this article, the 101st did not escort the LR9 inside Central High to prevent harassment. In fact, harassment was rampant. (See the recent Vanity Fair article, for instance.) --anotherpanacea  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.54.95.17 (talk) 19:41, 17 October 2007 (UTC)  This is my comment and edit. --Anotherpanacea 20:31, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

The students were escorted outside of school, not within it. Student harrassment was rampant and apparently unpunished. The Vanity Fair article on Elizabeth Eckford lists the following harrassments:

"Within two weeks, whatever pockets of goodwill the black students initially encountered had evaporated. Instead, a distinct minority of segregationist students—estimates vary between 50 and 200—set the tone, intimidating all the others (few labels were more noxious than "nigger lover") into silence. Their campaign of unremitting but largely clandestine harassment was abetted by school officials who, fearful of making things even worse, ignored all but the most flagrant offenders. The black students, already scattered, became almost entirely isolated, none more than Elizabeth. In classes, she was made to sit by herself, always at the back, often with no one nearby. In the corridors, there was always a space around her. Even the few white children she knew steered clear: Please don't let them know you know me, their eyes seemed to plead. Only during the last class of the day—speech—did she encounter any friendly faces: two, fellow students named Ken Reinhardt and Ann Williams. "I can still see how she looked that [first] day," Ann Williams Wedaman recalls. "Nobody needs to be that lonely." A few other students did speak to her, it was true, but only to hear what "it" sounded like.

Less than a week into school, Mrs. Huckaby later wrote, Elizabeth came into her office "red-eyed, her handkerchief in a damp ball in her hands." The harassment was so bad that she wanted to go home early. But things only got worse, as the disciplinary files, in the collection of Mrs. Huckaby's papers at the University of Arkansas, reveal. Sometime in October: Elizabeth hit with a shower of sharpened pencils. October 28: Elizabeth shoved in hall. November 20: Elizabeth jostled in gym. November 21: Elizabeth hit with paper clip. December 10: Elizabeth kicked. December 18: Elizabeth punched. January 10: Elizabeth shoved on the stairs. January 14: Elizabeth knocked flat. January 22: Elizabeth spat upon. January 29: Elizabeth attacked with spitballs. January 31: Elizabeth asks grandfather to take her home after girls serenade her with humiliating songs in gym class. February 4: Elizabeth has soda bottle thrown at her. February 14: Elizabeth attacked with rock-filled snowballs. March 7: Elizabeth hit by egg. March 12: Elizabeth hit by tomato. "She said that except for some broken glass thrown at her during lunch, she really had had a wonderful day," Mrs. Huckaby wrote at one point, apparently with a straight face." --Anotherpanacea 20:40, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

I agree, we need to work this in... Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, cal the event "a riot" --I think this article takes a bit of a soft spin on what happned. futurebird 14:56, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Federalized National Guard
The Wikipedia article states that the federalized National Guard troops "showed implacable restrain and courage from the taunts and jibes of students and bystanders." It then cites an old Time article, but nothing that suggests that is even IN that article; that article is about the Governor's lies about the 101st. Furthermore, the newest issue of Sports Illustrated paints a rather different picture of how the students were treated when the 101st was recalled and federalized National Guard troops were sent in their place. If no one can find an appropriate source for the statement currently in the article, I'm going to change it. --Hazillow 23:14, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

Little Rock Crisis
Does this look good, needs links to other articles, though. does the original page need to be deleted?Got118115147 02:33, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

Little Rock Nine
The encyclopedian heading is Little Rock, Arkansas Integration Crisis, not this dismissive journalistic monniker, which presumes the reader already knows all about it. The heading Little Rock itself redirects to Little Rock, Arkansas for the sake of those English-language Wikipedia readers who are not Americans. When readers complain that Wikipedia is American-centered it's headings like this one they are referring to. --Wetman 21:56, 16 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * The name "Little Rock Nine" is used in textbooks and history books. Using an invented name that no one uses is unencyclopedic.  Calling the incident the "Little Rock, Arkansas Integration Crisis" is like saying the "American-French-British Battle of Yorktown, Virginia," instead of the Battle of Yorktown, or the "North American Mississippi River" instead of the Mississippi River.  Its confusing and unwiedly.  The "French and Indian War" is a stupid name for a war, but that's the name we're stuck with.  Not having a worldview is when someone keeps saying "soccer" instead of the correct word, "football."
 * I don't see how anyone can even comprehend what this article is about without some prerequisite knowledge of U.S. history or a basic understanding of the structure of its government. There's more at stake here than just the question of institutionialized racism.  This incident also involves federalism, state's rights, and the constitutional authority of the U.S. Supreme Court and the President.
 * Winston Ho (2006 Oct. 25).
 * Metairie, Louisiana.
 * Little Rock Nine is a superior (and obvious) title. Thanks.  On another subject, you ought to sign your posts with four tildes ( ~ ) and you will get both your name and the correct date.  -- Sholom 13:17, 26 October 2006 (UTC)

"Elizabeth Eckford did not get to ride the bus so she walked like she was a brave girl with an angry mob and a white woman her guide to safety." - I removed that line from the article as it seemed to just randomly be there for no reason. Perhaps it was a leftover from other edits? uberblue 03:13, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

National Guard Troops
I was under the impression it was Orval Faubus who recalled the Arkansas National Guard (after meeting with Eisenhower), not that they were federalized and recalled by Eisenhower. is there a source on the federalization of the Arkansas National Guard?Gsham 03:27, 13 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Even a few Eisenhower tribute pages seem to give credit to the President for withdrawing the Arkansas National Guard. This may be more of a political claim rather than a matter of history.  From what I've found from the Internet, Judge Ronald Davies issued a court order demanding Faubus to recall the Guard.  Faubus had put himself into a lose-lose political situation.  He could either be seen as surrendering to out-of-state political pressure and betraying his segregationist supporters, or he could be seen as prolonging an invented a crisis that inflated his own reputation while tarnishing the reputation of the entire state of Arkansas.  Judge Davies's court order may have given Faubus the excuse he needed to electively withdraw the Guard and tell everyone that he had no choice.  Regardless of his true motives, the court order allowed the Governor to escape from the situation before the President actually did hijack the National Guard from him, which the Presdient does have the power to do.
 * Winston Ho (2005 Oct. 25).
 * Metairie, Louisiana.

the little rock crisis page needs tro be deleted admins

It really should be merged. They are the same thing?!!!--Adasarathy 00:38, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

Question
Just to educate myself. It says here that the president deployed the 101st Airborne Division to escort the children to school. However, isn't there a law in the states prohibiting the deployment of the US army on US soil, under any circumstances? Can someone explain to me how was the president legally able to do so? Thanks, Volland 07:08, 4 September 2007 (UTC)


 * Eisenhower's executive order cited Title 10, Chapter 15 of the United States code (sections 332, 333, 334). Section 332 empowers the president, when he "considers that unlawful obstructions...against the authority of the United States, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State..." to "call into Federal service such of the militia of any State, and such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary..." --- OtherDave (talk) 21:25, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

Civil Rights
It says in the first paragraph it was important in African-American Civil Rights. I suggest it simply be the Civil Rights Movement, since if African-Americans had not triumphed in this case, the lack of civil rights was bound to affect other groups and people. It paved the way for all minorities, the civil rights movement even resulted in the ADA. 69.210.253.211 15:18, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

Paratroopers?
Why does it state paratroopers were involved? Unless I'm mistaken, paratroopers jump out of planes; they don't guard roads.--TyGuy92 (talk) 01:36, 11 March 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't see where it says "state paratroopers." The only place I see that it talks about paratroopers at all it is referring to members of the 101st Airborne Division.  They, at the time, were paratroopers.  (today they are air assault).  In the same paragraph it is talking about Tennessee Army National guard taking over for the paratroopers (101st).  Is that what you are talking about?  Jons63 (talk) 01:45, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Oprah Winfrey Show
I know there's an Oprah show about the Little Rock Nine, which also includes some of the kids who harassed them and apologised, perhaps someone would like to include that in the article? Mrparkers (talk) 02:51, 3 June 2008 (UTC) Thank You!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 204.38.160.226 (talk) 13:55, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

Neutrality of "A tense year"
"Out of frustration, she dropped her lunch - a bowl of chili - and some got on the white students." "Two months later, Brown was suspended for the rest of the school year after verballing abusing a female student, only to have been provoked by her originally." Sources need to be provided to take this angle on these instances of bullying. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.170.144.192 (talk) 19:37, 17 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Agreed, and until such sources are provided, these sentences are now back to being in line with the source that is already present. &mdash;ADavidB 23:30, 17 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Just visited the national park... apparently one of the two guys who were doused in chili wasn't really aggressive, although he was sitting next to boys who were. The article implied that *he* was involved in her torment, which seems to be misleading. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.125.102.214 (talk) 05:42, 1 June 2009 (UTC)


 * Information from available, reliable sources can be included here. Verifiable information is encouraged. I've again updated the text in line with the source that is currently cited. &mdash;ADavidB 12:46, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Melba
The acid seems to have had very little effect on Melba's eyes. They look perfect in a recent photograph. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.139.132.245 (talk) 10:36, 29 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Oh, hey! In that case, it wasn't that big a deal! #yougottabekidding LoomisSimmons (talk) 21:04, 1 January 2012 (UTC)
 * And severe corrosive damage to the eyes (in fact, most damage to the eyes) is often difficult to see without a closeup pic. I have a hard time understanding the point of the comment.  130.76.96.154 (talk) 21:29, 29 January 2013 (UTC)

Should the Legacy part be seperate from the Analysis?
It seems to me that as in other Wikipedia articles, the Legacy section should be separate from the analysis. Are there any guidelines that dictate why it is the way it is now? Aggielink (talk) 16:35, 9 April 2011 (UTC)
 * I also think this article is lacking. There's no mention of what happened to the students after the Lost Year. If my notes are right, only three of the Nine graduated from Central. That's not to suggest that they were failures, but that they were ultimately denied the opportunity to finish what they started thanks to the Lost Year.
 * I think a template would also be nice, since all nine of the students (and a good deal of the adults) have their own articles. Something to jump on when I have some spare time. Then again, it could be overkill. Thoughts?LoomisSimmons (talk) 21:07, 1 January 2012 (UTC)


 * I have a hard time justifying an "Analysis" section at all. This isn't a school report, after all, this is an encyclopedic recounting of events. Wikipedia's role is to present verifiable and cited facts; analysis, to me, gives the text a sense of "review," making it clear that the following information has been passed through the filter of the author. The "Faubus" subsection is lacking citations and also uses an editorial tone (i.e. "Faubus's opposition to segregation was likely both politically and racially motivated. [uncited]", or "Most histories of the crisis conclude... [again uncited]"). While the speculations made in that section may be correct, they are not well justified in the article, and contribute to the visibility of authorship. I also agree that the "Legacy" subsection should be given its own section.Milotoor (talk) 18:02, 20 June 2013 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 April 2014
they were the black people

65.79.245.11 (talk) 15:22, 23 April 2014 (UTC)


 * Are you asking for something in particular to be changed?&mdash; alf laylah wa laylah (talk) 16:03, 23 April 2014 (UTC)
 * Red question icon with gradient background.svg Not done: it's not clear what changes you want made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format. (t) Josve05a  (c) 12:09, 24 April 2014 (UTC)

Dates Edited
In previous works and talks everybody is questioning what date seems to be the correct date for when President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent U.S. army troops to accompany the Little Rock Nine. It was on September 25th, federal troops took the nine students to Central High where they were escorted by 22 armed federal troops and after school they were escorted back out.

More info needed on Individuals
I think that there needs to be more information that is in this article about more specific events such as what happened to the individual members of the Little Rock Nine. To start off it should cover more personal details to make it on a more personal level for somebody reading it. There is always too much of the bad covered up trying to sugar coat what actually happened. Elizabeth Eckford was only 15 years old when she tried to enter her new integrated school. At the corner she tried to pass around the long line of guards covering a side door but they just pointed across the street towards the crowd, where she was supposed to enter. Once she got near the crowd they were quiet at first but then when she got close enough they yelled " Here she comes get ready!" Elizabeth continued along the sidewalk to the front door as they yelled names at her as they followed close behind. Once she reached the front door the guard wouldn't even look at her, refusing to let her in as the crowd circled in on her yelling, "lynch her! lynch her!" She couldn't find a friendly face in the crowd, not even the old woman who seemed friendly but ended up spitting in her face. She made her way back to the bus stop that she got off at in hopes that this would be her escape out of there. She reached the bench with the mob surrounding her and continuously yelling things like "drag her over to this tree!" When suddenly a white man sat down beside her, raised her chin up and said "Don't let them see you cry". Tbhushon (talk) 06:18, 7 May 2014 (UTC)tbhushon

Little Rock School Board and Desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas 1956-1958
Aiinokea (talk) 06:14, 19 May 2014 (UTC)

The Little Rock School Board had played a big part during the desegregation period in Little Rock Arkansas in 1957. There were many crisis that occurred during this period, especially when integration was trialed and taken to court in the Brown v. Board of Education case. When desegregation was in effect, chaos broke and the Little Rock 9 was not safe. President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the time issued military troops to ensure their safety due to those who opposed of the idea of integration in schools by writing an Executive Order 10730, stating that black Americans had the right to go to the same school as white Americans and that they were to not be harassed in any way while attending school. Harold Engrom, President of the Little Rock School Board stated in an interview with reporter John Luter that board members were only doing what were told, meaning that going back to court and asking for a petition to delay desegregation only because they were afraid of what would happen to the quality of education. The school board, however, did not meet its expectations of needing the support for desegregation because after having integration pass in schools, many whites began pulling their children out and started to send them to private schools leading to the fear of losing its public schools.

Jacoway, Elizabeth. "Richard C. Butler and the Little Rock School Board: The Quest to Maintain "Educational Quality"." Arkansas Historical Quarterly 1(2006):24. eLibrary. Web. 18 May. 2014.

Aiinokea (talk) 06:14, 19 May 2014 (UTC)
 * Red question icon with gradient background.svg Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format. — &#123;&#123;U&#124;Technical 13&#125;&#125; (t • e • c) 12:26, 19 May 2014 (UTC)

Louis Armstrong
From the Louis Armstrong article: "Armstrong's criticism of President Eisenhower, calling him "two-faced" and "gutless" because of his inaction during the conflict over school desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 made national news. As a protest, Armstrong canceled a planned tour of the Soviet Union on behalf of the State Department saying "The way they're treating my people in the South, the government can go to hell" and that he could not represent his government abroad when it was in conflict with its own people. Six days after Armstrong's comments, Eisenhower ordered Federal troops to Little Rock to escort students into the school. The FBI kept a file on Armstrong, for his outspokenness about integration."

Should something about Armstrong be included in the article? 95.44.50.222 (talk) 11:43, 7 June 2015 (UTC)


 * If the sources prove reliable – they seem to be at first glance – I think this mention could be included in the "National Guard blockade" or "Armed escort" section. —ADavidB 17:25, 7 June 2015 (UTC)

Video link attempt
I have attempted to add the video link for the actual film of the integration. I am blocked. I used the actual URL of YouTube and cited. It didn't work.

added at bottom of first paragraph of started 101st Airborne. A film called 'The Little Rock 9 - Arkansas 1957' can be viewed on YouTube.

added for external link at bottom
 * Film documentary of 'The Little Rock 9 – Arkansas 1957' with commentary.

DrPMO (talk) 22:41, 23 October 2015 (UTC)


 * I'm not sure the video meets the requirements described at WP:YOUTUBE. Is it copyrighted content?  Who originally produced it and when?  Whose commentary does the video include? —ADavidB 14:48, 24 October 2015 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 30 December 2015
The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine African American students should be The Little Rock Nine was a group of nine African American students

2602:306:CC2F:7440:21E:C2FF:FE0C:5A38 (talk) 13:58, 30 December 2015 (UTC)
 * ✅ 7&amp;6=thirteen (☎) 14:00, 30 December 2015 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 17 February 2016
On the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph it says "The U.S. Supreme Court issued its historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, 347 U.S. 483, on May 17, 1954." This event did not occur on Kansas but on Arkansas. So basically change Kansas to Arkansas on the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph.

216.60.25.6 (talk) 18:28, 17 February 2016 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: The case Brown_v._Board_of_Education involved Kansas school board. RudolfRed (talk) 19:27, 17 February 2016 (UTC)

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Commons files used on this page have been nominated for deletion
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