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My Fathers Hands, “One Man’s Fight for Arkansas Schools Integration”

Benjamin James “BJ” Yarbrough (1914-2005), also known as “Shorty”, was born June 6, 1914 in Camden, Arkansas. He was married to Katie Minter and Fathered 6 children, Olivia, Deloris, Ethel, Donnie, Ricky and Maurice. BJ was a man of conviction and dedication to his beliefs that all men are created equally and all children have the right to exceptional education. This belief forged his relationship with the NAACP and began his fight for integration of the Arkansas Public School System. His years in the US Army, not only prepared him for a lustrous career as a Master Mechanic, it also prepared him for life and led to his passion for equality and fairness to all. After being fired for acknowledging racial inequality, he started his own business, Yarbrough and Son’s Auto Lab. The business was located on 13th Street in West Memphis, Arkansas and remained in operation from 1953 through 2001. BJ was an active member in the NAACP. He was the president of the local chapter in West Memphis for 17 years. Because of his efforts and the efforts of the local chapter, a lawsuit was filed against the Hulbert-West Memphis School district Number 4, charging racism in the school system. The District Court of Eastern Arkansas Jonesboro Division ruled in favor of BJ and the local chapter of the West Memphis NAACP. This was the beginning of the desegregation of the Arkansas School System. This victory was not without its consequences. BJ and his family received numerous death threats and were continually harassed because of his involvement in the lawsuit. BJ stood his ground knowing that he had done the right thing, even with threats he continued to move forward with his fight. His daughter Deloris was one of the first graduates of integrated West Memphis Senior High School. BJ was determined to get his education and strive hard to make sure his children were educated.

In 1949 each African American teacher in West Memphis, Arkansas had an average of 71 students in his/her class. The ability to teach was virtually impossible, as quoted by one teacher “teachers didn’t teach school, they kept school”. In 1948 West Memphis spent an average of $144.51 on every white student, and $19.51 on every Negro student (New St. Paul Baptist Church, 3/21/1949 issue). He spent a large portion of his life educating the African American community on the importance of the NAACP and their right to racial and educational equality. He rallied supporters and signed individuals up for the Crittenden County NAACP membership at every opportunity. On October 23, 2000 he received the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to his community. In January 1965, he was the major force in a lawsuit against the Hulbert-West Memphis School District No. 4 of Crittenden County, Arkansas on behalf of his eldest daughter Delois Yarbrough. His desire was for all African American children to have quality education, equal to that received by their White counterparts. A hearing was held on March 8, 1965; at the close of the hearing the defendants were ordered to desegregate the school district, and develop and desegregation plan. The plan was filed on April 20th, with desegregation beginning with the six lower grades for the 1965-66 school years and being completed by 1967-68 school year. Benjamin James Yarbrough, departed this life on July 10, 2005 in Tucker, Georgia with his son Maurice at his side, but his legacy will live on through family, friends, students, and the many people who benefited from his actions, commitment, service and sheer determination. To many his efforts were the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.