On Monday 24th June, our Senior History students attended a talk in Dunedin given by Black Civil Rights legend Minijean Tricky Brown and her daughter Spirit.

Minnijean was part of the group of students known as “Little Rock Nine.” These students helped force the integration of high schools in the United States during the late 1950s. Minnijean spoke with such raw emotion that at times it overcame both her and Spirit. The things that were done to her and the other eight African American students by their peers were horrific. And yet this strong woman never let it destroy her. Instead she used it to lift her up. 

She summed up Little Rock like this;
“There were nine of us. There were 20 white students who were kind. They said good morning, smiled at us or offered to share a book. For this they were attacked and called traitors. Then there were 200/250 students who were behind the violence, the attacks and the name calling. 1700 students did nothing, they simply acted as bystanders.” 

Now imagine what would have happened if just half of that number did something, said enough is enough. How would history remember Little Rock then? 

Minnijean challenged the students present to not let stories like hers die out, but rather pass them on so that we might endeavour to make the world a better place for everyone. 

A big thank you to Mr Williams who came along and to Mr Beeby who sorted the transport. 

Miss Calman
Social Studies, History, Classics & Art History