Dr. Terrence Roberts and The Little Rock Nine
In 1957, nine African-American students enrolled at Little Rock Central High School. Three years prior, the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. Dr. Terrence Roberts was one of the nine children registered to be the first Black students to integrate into the all-white school.
The group faced many challenges. On Sept. 4, Arkansas Governor Oval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard in an attempt to block the Black students from entering the school building. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took notice of the situation in Little Rock and sent a telegram to President Eisenhower. King stated that if the federal government did not take a stand against the racial injustice going on, it would “set the process of integration back 50 years.”
On Sept. 23, the students entered the school through a side entrance with the help of police escorts. However, they were rushed home soon afterward because of the fear of escalating mob violence.
On Sept. 25, 1957, with the protection of federal troops, the nine students attended their first full day of classes, becoming the first Black students to attend a previously all-white high school.
Racist tensions continued to grow and during the following year of 1957, Governor Faubus closed all public high schools in an attempt to stop integration. During this “Lost Year,” Black community members saw an increase in hate crimes and violence as white community members blamed them for the school closures.
Despite the violence and setbacks, the nine students made civil rights history.
In November 2009, the Little Rock Nine were each awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award given by Congress. This award is given to those who have provided outstanding service to the country.
“Every second of every day I wanted to run away from all of the chaos and the physical and mental torment, (but) I knew what we were doing was the right thing to do,” Dr. Roberts said. “You will be surprised to find how much you can accomplish when you know without doubt that your mission is righteous.”
Roberts, along with the other eight, knew that what they were doing would bring forth a change in the way schools across the nation were run.
“I knew as well that hundreds of people had died in the fight for justice before I even arrived on the scene. I could not disrespect their efforts by saying no to my opportunity to be involved in the same struggle,” Roberts said.
Dr. Roberts will be the speaker for the 2021 Pasadena Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast hosted by Jericho Road Pasadena. This year, the event has been transformed into a weeklong virtual series. We will share a daily inspirational community message each morning beginning on Monday, May 3 and concluding on Friday, May 7. The series features a variety of prayer and music from Pasadena congregations and nonprofits. Please register at 2021MIPB.eventbrite.com.
#PasadenaPrayerBreakfast
Please contact JRP Executive Director Melanie Goodyear for more information: MGoodyear@JRPasadena.org or 626-714-7234.