'Little Rock Nine' prepare to celebrate day of victory

[Bozita]

Source: Guardian (UK), The Observer

'Little Rock Nine' prepare to celebrate day of victory
The president-elect has invited as inauguration guests the nine black people who as children defied racist mobs in Arkansas over 50 years ago

Joanna Walters in New York
The Observer, Sunday 28 December 2008
Article history


When Barack Obama is inaugurated next month, thousands of African Americans who risked their lives in the civil rights movement will flock to Washington to witness the moment.

Among the vast crowds, none will feel more proud than a small group of black pioneers who faced down violent mobs more than 50 years ago when they struggled to end racial segregation in schools.

Beaten, kicked, spat at, threatened with death and abused daily for months after enrolling in a white high school in Arkansas, the "Little Rock Nine" have been invited as honoured guests to perhaps the most eagerly awaited inauguration in American history.

Melba Patillo, one of the nine, said: "I'm honoured that Barack Obama saw fit to invite me. He has said that he aspired to climb the steps of the White House because the Little Rock Nine climbed the steps of Central High School."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/28/usa-barack-obama-race

[CatWoman]

1. that is just

WONDERFUL!!! :)

[mike_c]

2. proudly recommended....

Not a dry eye anywhere in sight. That is wonderful.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Wow.

What a fitting way to close such an ugly chapter of our history! :hug:

[Gregorian]

4. This is what Obama brings. It makes my day.

[Suich]

5. Everytime I read about the "Little Rock Nine" and

the "Tuskegee Airmen" having front row seats at the Inauguration, it brings a (good) tear to my eye!

:)

Proudly recommended!

[kath]

6. Melba Patillo wrote a book called "Warriors Don't Cry", which I *highly* recommend.

It's an amazing read, absolutely heartbreaking in parts.

[pnorman]

11. "Warriors Don't Cry"

Thanks for the lead.Here it is at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Dont-Melba-Pattillo-Beals/dp/1416948821/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230446413&sr=1-1

pnorman

[Patchuli]

7. Wow!!! Just Wow!!!!!

:toast: :grouphug: :applause:

Recommended and :kick:

[tularetom]

8. What? He thinks this is gonna make up for Warren?

I'm amazed at the capacity of this man Obama to do the right thing.

And I'm disappointed in the lack of capacity of many people to cut him any slack.

[Critters2]

9. I'm guessing you can be legally married, huh? nt

[Suich]

12. Huh?

Sorry, maybe you're just yanking everyone's chain but...what are you talking about???

:shrug:

[Toasterlad]

13. No, It's Totally Cool.

In 100 years, the first openly gay president will teleport in the grandchildren of the gay people Obama turned his back on, and then we'll have closure!

[Connie_Corleone]

14. Why did you have to bring up Warren in this thread?

You just ruined it!

[kdmorris]

15. Oddly enough, I think you've just proven

That it is NOT the critics of Obama's decision to have Warren do the invocation that keep this alive. It appears that the supporters of Warren are the ones that keep bringing it up...over and over and over, mainly to show how much the "agree" with us and tell everyone that they are preaching to the choir :eyes:

[badgervan]

10. Character...

... it counts. What an important, refreshing change.