Contents:
Library Locations and Hours. But the journey of the Little Rock Nine, as they came to be known, would lead the nation on an even longer and much more turbulent path, one that would challenge prevailing attitudes, break down barriers, and forever change the landscape of America. Descended from a line of proud black landowners and businessmen, Carlotta was raised to believe that education was the key to success.
She embraced learning and excelled in her studies at the black schools she attended throughout the s. Board of Education erasing the color divide in classrooms across the country, the teenager volunteered to be among the first black students-of whom she was the youngest-to integrate nearby Central High School, considered one of the nation's best academic institutions.
But for Carlotta and her eight comrades, simply getting through the door was the first of many trials. Angry mobs of white students and their parents hurled taunts, insults, and threats.
Arkansas's governor used the National Guard to ba. A sought-after lecturer, LaNier speaks across the country, and she has received the Congressional Medal of Honor and two honorary doctorate degrees. She is the mother of two children, Whitney and Brooke, and lives in Englewood, Colorado, with her husband, Ira.
She grew up in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and lives in the Washington, D. They have four children. In nine black students integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, triggering a firestorm of violence. LaNier, at 14, was one of the group that came to be known as the Little Rock Nine.
Overwhelmed by the hatred she and others faced, as well as the national notoriety and talk of their bravery when they were just teenagers trying to get a good education, LaNier has for nearly 40 years been fairly silent about the experience. In this gripping memoir, she recalls her family history of achievement, her decision to go to Central, the harassment and abuse she suffered, and the disrupted school years as she took correspondence courses and went to school elsewhere. She also recalls the bombing of her family's home and the unjust conviction of a family friend blamed for the bombing.
A moving, very personal account of the aftermath of the Brown decision that began the painful process of desegregation. At 14, Lanier was the youngest of the "Little Rock Nine," who integrated Little Rock Central High School in ; she went on to become the first African -American young woman to receive a diploma from the school. Her memoir provides a firsthand account of a seismic shift in American history. She recalls the well-reported violence outside the school and daily harassment and ineffective protection from teachers and guards.
Away from school, the Nine were honored and feted, but their parents found their jobs-even their lives-in jeopardy. Lanier's house was bombed, and a childhood friend, Herbert Monts, was falsely accused and convicted. Monts's account of his experiences, shared with Lanier, 43 years later, is historically newsworthy. Lanier's recollections of family history and her relatively pedestrian experiences after high school graduation graduate school, job hunting, marrying, finding her new home in Denver lack the drama of her historical moment.
In a sense, Lanier didn't make history, history made her. Above all, this story is an inspiration. Through it all, Carlotta Lanier and her fellow students never gave up. They never gave in.
When fourteen-year-old Carlotta Walls walked up the stairs of Little Rock Central High School on September 25, , she and eight other black students only. Editorial Reviews. bahana-line.com Review. Book Description When fourteen-year- old Carlotta Walls walked up the stairs of Little Rock Central High School on.
They kept the faith and because of their dignity, their tenacity, and their sacrifice they helped to redeem the soul of America. The book is a page-turner and a tear-jerker, discussing the struggle and progress of an individual, and reflecting the historic challenges African Americans face in overcoming racial segregation. This book is a must read and should be required reading for every child of every race who may be trying to appreciate the values of education and the challenges that they might present for people who are different. We learn more about the struggles of the students of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas than is imagined, and it will change the way we evaluate the courage and dignity of people like Carlotta Walls LaNier.
Through her experiences of fifty years ago until today, she continues to challenge Americans about the true meaning of equal access to education for all. She, her family and friends paid a heavy price that burdened them even as it liberated all of us.
Her memoir, which is really our memoir, provides a rare perspective on that history in the making. I commend Carlotta for the legacy she has left and for the lessons she and her colleagues have taught us all with such nobility. The telling of this journey is imbued with sweep, tenderness, and the sustained glory of memory.
Citations are based on reference standards. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. The specific requirements or preferences of your reviewing publisher, classroom teacher, institution or organization should be applied. The E-mail Address es field is required.
Please enter recipient e-mail address es. The E-mail Address es you entered is are not in a valid format.
When she showed up to Central the first day, the National Guard was there—to keep the Nine safe, she thought, because crowds were jeering and spitting at them—but the state governor had actually called out the Guard to prevent the black kids from entering it was the President who integrated the school, not the governor. I wasn't allowed to get my first haircut until eighth grade, and I've mostly kept it short ever since. But getting through the door was only the first of many trials. Otherwise the book was incredible. Written by one of the Little Rock Nine, she tells her story, from signing up to go to what was considered one of the best high schools in the country to the devastating impacts of that decision, on her mind, her body, her family.
Please re-enter recipient e-mail address es. You may send this item to up to five recipients. The name field is required. Please enter your name. The E-mail message field is required. Please enter the message. Please verify that you are not a robot. Would you also like to submit a review for this item?
You already recently rated this item. Your rating has been recorded. Write a review Rate this item: Preview this item Preview this item.