Living History

Teresa Martinez | Director of Communications
In commemoration of Black History Month, students in grades 8-10 had the distinct pleasure to hear from Mr. Ernest Green, one of the Little Rock Nine on February 13.
 
“We are all students of history, and as such, we know all too well that there is a canyon of divide when it comes to learning history within the confines of a textbook, through video, or in the classroom, than to experience history first hand or more strikingly to make history,” said Assistant Principal for the High School Mr. Ramon Nicosia.
 
The Little Rock Nine refers to a group of African-American students who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1958, Green was the first African-American to ever graduate from the school.
 
“Much like early explorers discovering new lands, pioneers taming the wilds of North America, or astronauts taking a leap of faith that would propel them into space, nine incredibly brave students from Little Rock Arkansas would find themselves in a unique position of not only making history in their hometown, but becoming part of larger American story,” said Nicosia.
  
Throughout Green’s presentation, he encouraged the students to learn from history and to stand up for what’s is right and just. He spoke about the hardships endured and how that helped define him. He shared with them the challenges of growing up during that era in America’s history and the impact they had in it.
 
The following is an excerpt from the book, Warriors Don’t Cry written by one of the Little Rock Nine – Melba Pattillo Beals. The book is required reading in 8th grade Civics class.
 
“Quigley Stadium was where the 101st troops set up their headquarters.  It was there, on Tuesday evening, May 27, 1958, with 4,500 people looking on, that Ernest Green received his diploma.  I held my breath as I listened to the radio broadcast news of the graduation ceremonies. At 8:48 pm, Ernie became the first of our people to graduate from Central High School in all its forty-nine years.
 
The audience had been applauding those who previously marched, but when Ernie appeared they fell silent.
 
Ernie was escorted from the stadium by police to a waiting taxi in which he, his family, and their guest departed.  The newspapers said that Ernie’s diploma cost the taxpayers half a million dollars.  Of course, we knew it cost all of us much, much more than that.  It cost us our innocence and a precious year of our teenage lives.”
 
“Our 8th grade students have been incredibly engaged in learning about the struggles Little Rock Nine endured. When the opportunity came for Mr. Green to address our students, we immediately embraced it. A legend of the desegregation era, living history was before their eyes. I hope they never forget his message and our inspired to be agents of change in our world today,” said Assistant Principal for the Middle School Mrs. Patricia Bustamante.
 
After earning his high school diploma, he went on to receive two degrees from Michigan State University. In his career, he has held positions of distinction on the boards of various organizations, such as the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, and the African Development Foundation. He was also awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal, which is presented annually for outstanding achievements of African Americans by NAACP and later the nation’s highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal.
 
At the end of his presentation, Green answered several questions from students, took pictures and signed copies of the book. Click here to view the photo album.
 
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BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain.  The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.  In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty.  The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow.  Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.