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Once Again Federal Troops Were Required

In 1871 it took Republican President Ulysses

S. Grant ordering federal troops to suppress the

racebased paramilitary violence of the Klu

Klux Klan against Black Americans in the Solid

Democratic South so we could participate in

the American Dream. 2 In October of 1957,

history repeated itself as it again took a

Republican President (Dwight David "Ike"

Eisenhower) ordering federal troops to suppress racebased segregation supported

by Democratic Arkansas GovernorOrval Faubus who ordered the National Guard

to block nine (9) Black American students from entering Little Rock Central High

School so they could participate in the AmericanDream.3

The Backdrop

In 1954 Brown v. Board of Education (i.e., "Brown I") was

a landmark United States Supreme Court case in whichthe Court declared that "separate educational facilities

are inherently unequal" and that any state laws

establishing separate public schools for Black and White students were

unconstitutional. 4 This unanimous (90) decision, handed down on Friday,

May 17th, 1954 by the Earl Warren Court, overturned the Melville Fuller

Court's infamous Plessy v. Ferguson decision of18965 which held "'separate

but equal' provision of private services mandated by state government is

constitutional under the Equal Protection Clause," thus legalizing state

sponsored segregation.

A Supreme Presumption Of Faith

In 1955 the United States Supreme Court delegated the

task of integrating schools to district courts with orders that

desegregation occur "with all deliberate speed." 6

However, many southern states interpreted Brown v.

Board of Education of Topeka, 349 U.S. 294 (Tuesday,

May 31st, 1955) (i.e., "Brown II") as legal justification for resisting, delaying,

and avoiding integration for years. 7 Using tactics such as closing down

school systems, using state money to finance segregated "private schools,"and "token" integration where a few carefully selected Black children were

admitted to former white-only schools, leaving the vast majority of Black

students in underfunded and unequal Black schools. 8 So much for having

faith in the system.

The Brown II Backstep


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By 1956 Massive Resistance movements or the

"Freedom of Choice" plans ruled the day. 9 These

policies, backed by United States Senator Harry F. Byrd,

Sr. and otherWhite politicians and leaders in the state of

Virginia in a campaign of new state laws designed to

prevent public school desegregation after the Brown I

decision in 1954. 10 I wonder where I've heard the

expression: "Freedom of Choice" before?

Case In Point: Alabama

On Monday, November 24th, 1958 the same Warren

Court that ruled "separate educational facilities are

inherently unequal" in Brown I quietly upheld the

Alabama pupil placement law which sets up seventeen

(17) separate standards for assigning pupils to public

schools, as non-discriminatory on its face (Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham

Board of Education, 162 F. Supp. 372). 11 This decision gave those resisting

integration a legal way around the 1954 Brown I decision. While never

mentioning race, Alabama legally implemented subjective measurements

such as the psychological qualification of the pupil for the type of teaching

and associates involved, the possibility of threat of friction or disorder, the

possibility of breaches of the peace or ill will or economic retaliation within

the community, and the maintenance or severance of established social

and psychological relationships with other pupils and with teachers to

determine if a student was the right fit for a school. 12

Case In Point: Virginia

In Virginia the United States District Court ruled thatPrince Edward County, Virginia did not have to

desegregate immediately. 13 So when faced with a court

order to finally begin desegregation the Prince Edward

County board of supervisors stopped funding public

schools for five (5) years (19591964) and implemented

pupil placement laws "with all deliberate speed." 14 Under pupil

placement laws White students in the Prince Edward County were given

financial assistance to attend White-only private academies that were

taught by teachers formerly employed by the public school system, while

Black students had no education at all unless they moved out of the Prince

Edward County. 15

So What Happened In Arkansas?


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The Little Rock Nine was a group of Black American

students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in

1957. 16 The Black American students were initially

prevented from entering the racially segregated school by

Democratic Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus. 17

However, it was after Republican President Eisenhower federalized the

entire 10,000 member Arkansas National Guard, effectively taking the threat

violence out of the hands of Democratic Governor Faubus that the Black

American students were able to safely attend class despite White Citizens

Council mobs making threats to lynch them. 18

The Lost Year

By the end of September1957, the Little Rock Nine were

admitted to Little Rock Central High under the protection

of the U.S. Army and the Arkansas National Guard. 19

Nevertheless, they were still subjected to a year of

physical and verbal abuse (i.e., being spat on and called

names) by many of their fellow White students. 20 From August 1958 to

August 1959 the Federal Courts ruled against Democratic Governor

Faubus' efforts to delay desegregation, only to see him pass legislation that

enabled him to close all public schools so he could set up private schools

for White students, only to see three (3) segregation supporting school

board members voted out of office and the public schools reopened on

Wednesday, August 12th, 1959. 21 Although the Lost Yearhad ended, the

Black students who returned to the high schools had to get past lynch mobs

to enter the school and suffer physical and emotional abuse. 22

Looking Forward To The Civil Rights Movement

By 1959 Martin Luther King, Jr., had visited Gandhi's

birthplace, wrote the "Measure of a Man," received the

Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for his book "Stride Toward

Freedom: The Montgomery Story," met Vice President

Richard Nixon and said: "If Richard Nixon is not sincere,

he is the most dangerous man in America." 23 By the end ofAugust of 1959 I

was three (3) years old.

Is Violence Necessary To Combat Injustice?"The Negro people can organize socially to initiate many forms of struggle which can drive their enemies back without resort to

futile and harmful violence." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., The Southern Patriot debate with North Carolina NAACP leader

Robert F. Williams 24


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The Southern Patriot

Published in the October 1959 Edition ofThe Southern Patriot, Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. debated North Carolina NAACP leader Robert F. Williams

and wrote the following as he addressed the United States Supreme Court

upholding the Pupil Placement Law and the ever present need forFederal

action. 25

"For The Negative: King Sees Alternative In Mass Actions"

"Paradoxically, the struggle for civil

rights has reached a stage of profound

crisis, although its outward aspect is

distinctly less turbulent and victories of

token integration have been won in the

hard-resistance areas of Virginia and

Arkansas. The crisis has its origin in a

decision rendered by the Supreme Court

more than a year ago which upheld the pupil placement law. Though little

noticed then, this decision fundamentally weakened the historic 1954

ruling of the Court. It is imperceptibly becoming the basis of a de facto

compromise between the powerful contending forces. The 1954 decision

required for effective implementation resolute Federal action supported by

mass action to undergird all necessary changes. It is obvious that Federal

action by the legislative and executive branches was half-hearted and

inadequate. The activity of Negro forces, while heroic in some instances, and

impressive in other sporadic situations, lacked consistency and militancy

sufficient to fill the void left by government default. The segregationists were

swift to seize these advantages, and unrestrained by moral or social

conscience, defied the law boldly and brazenly. The net effect of this

social equation has led to the present situation, which is without clearcut

victory for either side. Token integration is a developing pattern. This type ofintegration is merely an affirmation of a principle without the substance

of change. It is, like the Supreme Court decision, a pronouncement of justice,

but by itself does not insure that the millions of Negro children will be

educated in conditions of equality. This is not to say that it is without value. It

has substantial importance. However, it fundamentally changes the

outlook of the whole movement, for it raises the prospect of long, slow

change without a predictable end." 26


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I agree with Dr. King. Don't you?

Supreme Court Decisions And Federal Troops Are Not Enough

"The Negro cannot win if he is willing to sell the future of his children for his personal and immediate comfort and

safety." Martin Luther King, Jr. ("The Living King", Ebony, Vol. 41, No. 3, January 1986, Page 63.)27

I am often asked about Black American leadership's devotion to government

welfare programs and our acrimonious relationship with the Pro-Life movement.

Specifically, I am asked why Black American leadership cannot see the obvious

correlation and natural relationship between the Civil Rights movement and the Pro-

Life movement. The answer lies in the fact that much of Pro-Life movement is

consumed with developing political equity and reversing United States Supreme

Court decisions instead of moving the hearts and minds of people by meeting the

need of women and children. The Little Rock Nine are the latest case in point in

this series of columns. Neither United States Supreme Court decisions nor

political equity was enough overcome the evil in the heart of segregationists.

Why?

I believe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have put it this way:

"It is obvious that Federal action by the legislative and executive

branches [is] half-hearted and inadequate. The activity of Negro

forces, while heroic in some instances, and impressive in other

sporadic situations, lacked consistency and militancy sufficient to fill

the void left by government default. The [Pro-Abortionists] were

swift to seize these advantages, and unrestrained by moral or

social conscience, [defined] the law boldly and brazenly. The neteffect of this social equation has led to the present situation [i.e., life

versus death], which is without clearcut victory for either side. Token

[Pro-Life gains] is a developing pattern. This type of [progress] is

merely an affirmation of a principle without the substance of

change. It is, like the Supreme Court decision [of 1973], a [bold]

pronouncement of ["reproductive justice" for women], but by itself

does not insure that the millions of Negro [women and children will

live] in conditions of equality. This is not to say that [political equity

and United States Supreme Court decisions are] without value.

[Both have] substantial importance. However, [emphasis on either]

fundamentally changes the outlook of the whole [Pro-Life]

movement, for it raises the prospect of long, slow change without

a predictable end."

Forty (40) Years And Over Fifty-Five (55) Million Lives And Counting

No community or people group can survive without their women and children living

in conditions of equality. In the last forty (40) years, with the exception of


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Personhood, 28not one Pro-Life strategy to end abortion has been embraced

by communities of color. As a member of a community of color and with the

survival of our women and children at stake and on my heart, I am concerned that

another forty (40) years of the "art of compromise" 29 and half-hearted court

decisions will indeed mark the end of my people. 30

Brothers, we really need to talk.

Note(s):

AmericanDream:" The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States; a set of ideals in which freedom includes theopportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American

Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, 'life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each

according to ability or achievement' regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea ofthe American Dream

is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that 'all men are created equal ' and that they are

'endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights ' including 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness .'" Review

online reference here: http://bit.ly/12DcrM

AbortionDebate: "The abortion debate refers to the ongoing controversy surrounding the moral and legal status of abortion.The two main groups involved in the abortion debate are the self-described 'pro-choice' movement (emphasizing the right of

women to choose whether they wish to bring a fetus to term ) and the self-described 'pro-life' movement (emphasizing the

right of the unborn child to be born)." Review online reference here: http://bit.ly/2euSAf.

Reference(s):

01. 101st Airborne at Little Rock Central High, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/iJ7AqI).

02. Ulysses S. Grant, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/110cKI). See also American Dream note above.

03. Orval Faubus, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/LpnYgs). See also Little Rock Nine, Armed Escort, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/LrdMEg).

04. Brown v. Board of Education, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/mK1Nv).

05. Plessy v. Ferguson, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/mMv0D).

06. Brown II, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/KWXnbP).

07. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (349 U.S. 294), Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/KWXnbP). See also Griffin v. County

School Board of Prince Edward County, 377 U.S. 218 (1964), Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/KI7JOI).

08. Circumventing Brown ruling by new state efforts to maintain segregation, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/Lc7V5h). See also Brown II,

Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/KWXnbP).

09. Massive Resistance, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/G1WN6). See also Freedom of Choice: Most public schools remain segregated,

Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/MXV2QI).

10. Ibid.

11. About the Pupil Placement Law, The King Center's Blog (http://mysp.ac/Lpv8RL). See also THE SUPREME COURT:

Presumption of Faith, Time Magazine, Monday, December 8th, 1958 (http://ti.me/8Pm08T).

12. Ibid.

13. Brown II, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/KWXnbP).

14. Griffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, Background (http://bit.ly/Nq4Php).

15. Brown II, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/KWXnbP). See also Smith, Bob (1965). They Closed Their Schools. University of North

Carolina Press (http://bit.ly/LpyC6N).

16. Little Rock Nine, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/9KjkVR).

17. Orval Faubus, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/LpnYgs). See also Armed Escort, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/MwiCxi).

18. The Lost Year, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/LJyg9Y).

19. Ibid.

20. Ibid.

21. Ibid.

22. Ibid.

23. Nixon, Richard Milhous (1913-1994), King Encyclopedia (http://bit.ly/LfSO9g).

24. Marting Luther King, Jr., And The Global Freedom Struggle, "The Social Organization of Nonviolence", October 1959

(http://bit.ly/KqRZJD).

25. Ibid.

26. Ibid.

27. Martin Luther King, Jr., "The Living King", Ebony, Vol. 41, No. 3, January 1986, Page 63 ( http://bit.ly/LzCLHI). See also

Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The Negro cannot win the respect of his oppressor by acquiescing; he

merely increases the oppressor's arrogance and contempt. Acquiescence is interpreted as proof of the Negro's inferiority. The

Negro cannot win respect of the white people of the South or the peoples of the world if he is willing to sell the future of his

children for his personal and immediate comfort and safety." (http://bit.ly/LccWus).

28. What is Personhood?, PersonhoodUSA (http://bit.ly/fuMEMw).

29. Donald J. Boudreaux and Dwight R. Lee , "Politics as the Art of Confined Compromise" (http://bit.ly/c0XxHS).

30. Salman Nizami, "No Society Can Survive Without Women, The Practice Of Female Foeticideis A Violation Of Human Rights",

published Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 (http://bit.ly/JUNpU9).
http://bit.ly/JUNpU9http://bit.ly/c0XxHShttp://bit.ly/fuMEMwhttp://bit.ly/LccWushttp://bit.ly/LzCLHIhttp://bit.ly/KqRZJDhttp://bit.ly/LfSO9ghttp://bit.ly/LJyg9Yhttp://bit.ly/MwiCxihttp://bit.ly/LpnYgshttp://bit.ly/9KjkVRhttp://bit.ly/LpyC6Nhttp://bit.ly/KWXnbPhttp://bit.ly/Nq4Phphttp://bit.ly/KWXnbPhttp://ti.me/8Pm08Thttp://mysp.ac/Lpv8RLhttp://bit.ly/MXV2QIhttp://bit.ly/G1WN6http://bit.ly/KWXnbPhttp://bit.ly/Lc7V5hhttp://bit.ly/KI7JOIhttp://bit.ly/KWXnbPhttp://bit.ly/KWXnbPhttp://bit.ly/mMv0Dhttp://bit.ly/mK1Nvhttp://bit.ly/LrdMEghttp://bit.ly/LpnYgshttp://bit.ly/110cKIhttp://bit.ly/iJ7AqIhttp://bit.ly/2euSAfhttp://bit.ly/12DcrM


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