Reflections on little Rock

Sybil Stevenson Iona College New Rochelle, New York 'Twenty years have passed since school desegregation began in Little Rock, Arkansas. The active focus of the civil reights struggle has shifted from the blatantly racist South to the benignly neglectful North. Boston managed to eclipse Little Rock with its violent response to the court ordered busing. Other northern cities are still are still trying to resist plans which will enable black children to obtain a quality education. It is realistic to anticipate that Boston will not be the last hot spot. Young black children will continue to face perils as they participate in the effort to bring about racial balance in our public schools. These children are change agents and are links in a chain which has been forged throughout our struggle in this country; a chain of blacks committed to freedom and justice. The test of their commitment is their individual sacrifice for the greater good. I am priviledged to have forged a link in this chain. As I look back to Little Rock and my Central High experience, perhaps insights will emerge that will enable concerned educators and parents to provide support systems sufficient to minimize the trauma associated with public school desegregation.