Little Rock - William's Group

Hey there everybody!

Today was quite interesting. Day one of a week long time of learning and reflection. We visited the famous central HS in Little Rock, Ar. While there we had time to discuss several topics, including: the idea of separate but equal, and who is hurt more by segregation. We were able to notice that like the courts ruled later, separate is inherently unequal. When you try to run a socio-political system in which you have different types of people being reminded of their differences, this creates tension. If taken to the extreme, there may even be the establishment of parallel worlds: two alternate versions of everything in a society. But clearly, this is not feasible. We have had the opportunity to see what happens when people are separated, and for the most part, we don't like it. It seems that is up to us to push forward to avoid ever falling back into a shameful past.

Thus bring me to a second main point: that of who was/is hurt more by segregation? Well, blacks had a lot to endure, from physical abuses, political and legal disadvantages, not to mention social mistreatment. There is no end to exploring the depths of what was once done to American blacks. Also, as a whole, society is harmed when there is lack of diversity. people will not kow how to deal with others who are not like them, so when they go out into the world they will still have problems because they lacked experience growing up. Self images of black youth are harmed as well, this may not really have a definite value; it may reach into all aspects of a child's life. Ultimately, looking at the past it seems that segregation of any kind is not a good thing.

But on the bright side, Rendezvous BBQ was really good...