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Robinson Maneuver Training Center; North Little Rock, Arkansas.:-- A member of the "Little Rock Nine" spoke at the Camp Robinson Museum about her experiences during the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School as a part of the Arkansas National Guard’s observance of African-American History Month.
Elizabeth Ann Eckford was one of nine African-American students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Eckford shared her experiences with a crowd of Arkansas National Guard soldiers and Airmen, Civilian Student Training Program students, Professional Education Center leadership, and many more.
Her experiences are of great interest to Arkansas National Guard members because of the part the guard played during Central High’s desegregation. In 1957, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus called in the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the African- American students from attending school. Later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower would federalize the Arkansas National Guard to do the exact opposite and help the nine African-American students enter the school safely.
Eckford reflected on the difficult and troubling resistance she experienced and advised the crowd, specifically the young people, on how to help those who are experiencing harassment and prejudice. “When you reach out to support someone who is being harassed…When you let them know that you don’t hate them because of their difference…that you accept their humanity…just talk to them the way that you want to be talked to. That is powerful, powerful support.”
Col. Edwin Larkin, Professional Education Center Commander, thanked Eckford for agreeing to speak at the event. “Many of us don’t have an awareness or truly understand how difficult this time was during this change. We thank you for your leadership in helping us get to where we are today. To have the first hand account from your lips is such an honor and a pleasure.”
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2018 18:41 |
| Category: | B-Roll |
| Video ID: | 585997 |
| VIRIN: | 180222-Z-UN455-001 |
| Filename: | DOD_105337630 |
| Length: | 00:03:48 |
| Location: | NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, US |
| Hometown: | LITTLE ROCK, AR, US |
| Hometown: | NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, US |
| Downloads: | 3 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Elizabeth Eckford of the "Little Rock Nine" Speaks on Camp Robinson, by LTC William Phillips, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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