Integration of Little Rock Central High School: September 12, 1958

On September 12, 1958, the United States Supreme Court played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement by ordering the integration of Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. This decision was a significant enforcement of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Background

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954): This Supreme Court decision overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. It mandated the desegregation of public schools across America, asserting that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

• Resistance in the South: Despite the ruling, many Southern states resisted integration. Arkansas was among these, with Governor Orval Faubus becoming a prominent figure in opposing desegregation.

The Little Rock Nine

• The Students: In September 1957, nine African American students, later known as the “Little Rock Nine,” attempted to enter Little Rock Central High School. Their enrollment was a direct challenge to segregationist policies.

• Governor Faubus’s Opposition: Governor Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the students from entering the school, citing safety concerns and widespread opposition to integration.

• Federal Intervention: President Dwight D. Eisenhower intervened by sending federal troops from the 101st Airborne Division to enforce the students’ entry, marking a rare instance of federal intervention in state affairs to uphold civil rights.

Supreme Court’s Decision on September 12, 1958

• Cooper v. Aaron: The Supreme Court’s decision on September 12, 1958, in the case of Cooper v. Aaron, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to enforcing desegregation. The Court ruled that state governments could not pass legislation or take actions that would undermine the Court’s decisions.

• Significance: This decision underscored the supremacy of federal law over state law and reinforced the authority of the Supreme Court in matters of constitutional rights. It was a crucial moment in the struggle for civil rights, demonstrating the federal government’s willingness to uphold the Constitution against state resistance.

Aftermath and Impact

• Continued Resistance: Despite the ruling, resistance to desegregation persisted in various forms across the South. However, the federal government’s stance provided a legal and moral precedent for further civil rights advancements.

• Legacy: The integration of Little Rock Central High School became a symbol of the broader civil rights movement, highlighting the courage of the Little Rock Nine and the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.

The events surrounding the integration of Little Rock Central High School remain a powerful reminder of the challenges and triumphs in the fight for civil rights and the enduring impact of the Supreme Court’s decisions in shaping American society.