The characters of The Lions of Little Rock did not know the fate of the Little Rock 9 but you do. If the characters knew how the lives of the Little Rock turned out, how might it affect them. Write at least one post giving your original thinking. Make sure to use evidence (direct or paraphrased from both LOLR and your research). Then comment on 2 other posts.
Laurel
1/31/2017 11:48:43 am
Ladies and Gentleman,
Laurel
1/31/2017 11:50:10 am
Replies should agree with a reason, disagree with a reason or build on with a reason. Be sure to use specific names and details from LOLR and your own research. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization still apply!!!
Stewy
1/31/2017 02:32:27 pm
Knowing the fate of the Little Rock Nine would have changed the characters in Lions Of Little Rock greatly. Some of the characters in LOLR, like J.T. and Sally, believe that African Americans are worthless and horrid. They show this hatred publicly to people of color, like when Sally throws away her brush, just because a person of color used it. Other characters, like Marlee, like African Americans a lot, but just don’t know how to help them get a better treatment. People like Marlee would become an outcast if there liking of people of color became public. If the characters in LOLR had known the fate of the Little Rock Nine, such as Jefferson Thomas, who won the Congressional Gold Medal because he was a part of the Little Rock Nine, they would have changed. People like J.T. would attack people of color with more viciousness, because one colored victory is one to many. Also, people like Marlee would gain confidence, because if the Little Rock Nine were nationally recognized, their beliefs must be getting somewhere. If the fate of the Little Rock Nine to the characters of LOLR, their personalities would change.
Sabrina
1/31/2017 04:42:43 pm
Stewy, I disagree with when you say that "Other characters, like Marlee, like African Americans a lot,..." I feel as if that sentence doesn't really agree with Marlee. In the book it never says she likes all people of color, it just concentarates on her friendship with Liz. If I rewrote that, I would say something along the lines of, Other people, like Marlee, are close friends with African Americans, and would like to see better treatment of their friends.
Stewy
2/1/2017 02:20:22 pm
Sabrina, I agree with you. It is true that Marlee doesn't like people of color as a whole, just Liz and Betty Jean. Although my statement doesn't apply to Marlee, it does apply to her dad. But, your sentence more closely relates to Marlee's beliefs.
Skylar
2/1/2017 06:14:03 pm
Another possible statement Other people, like Marlee, who see African-Americans as equals.
Anja
1/31/2017 05:13:26 pm
I believe that the Little Rock 9 would change in a positive way not negative, so I disagree with your thoughts about J.T. and the others.
Stewy
2/1/2017 02:28:40 pm
Anja, I see where you are going, but I disagree. You have to remember how J.T. and Sally have been raised. J.T. sees people of color as a n word , and Sally sees African Americans as so vile and disgusting, she threw her brush away after Liz used it. SO, I disagree with you.
Kimball
1/31/2017 05:14:06 pm
I agree with you, because you would not treat a nasty piece of trash the same way you would treat a human being.
Blaize
2/1/2017 02:30:03 pm
I didn't think of JT or Sally in this so your piece helps to explain more than mine.
Ms. R
2/1/2017 03:19:24 pm
Wow, Stewy, Anja and Sabrina! This one conversation has me thinking a lot. I think the optimistic notion is that if JT were to see the achievements of the Little Rock 9 he might reconsider his harsh judgments on African Americans and be more accepting. This is supported by what Anja said as well. However, Stewy's perspective made me see outside of optimism towards realism. The reality is, thinking back to the song You've Got to Be Carefully Taught, that JT has been taught racism his whole life. Therefore, I believe it would take a lot of new education to overcome his racism and teach acceptance. In that sense I agree that JT might see Jefferson Thomas' achievements as being worthless.
Sabrina
2/1/2017 05:20:08 pm
Ms. R, thank you for showing that. I definitely agree with the fact that the book shows the beginning of re-education for Marlee. I would also like to draw attention to a slight thing we have talked about before. I think also if Marlee had known about and seen the movie Hidden Figures It would also help her find reason to value African Americans because of learning how hard working the people of color were in NASA and how they were treated. I feel like this connects back with what you said about knowing that several of the LR9 earned masters and PhDs. Also, yes it is interesting about the initials. Honestly, I feel like this might be foreshadowing for maybe a good change in JT.
Skylar
2/1/2017 06:10:43 pm
I wholeheartedly agree and would like to say this was wonderfully written.
Luis
1/31/2017 02:41:08 pm
If the characters in LOLR knew what happened to the Little Rock 9, it would change them greatly. I know this because it says that Marlee was talking about how Minnijean Brown dumped a bowl of soup on the boys who were bothering her, and how she was expelled for it. If they knew that the boys weren't expelled, the girls could've thought of why and join the WEC. If they knew that the LR9 were getting harassed, they could've switched topics and staged a peaceful riot so that Liz wouldn't have to pass as white.
Anja
1/31/2017 05:09:51 pm
I strongly agree with you, but I think that the people would have also allowed integration and Liz's problem wouldn't have been there.
Luis
2/1/2017 07:59:44 pm
Oh,yeah.
keenan
1/31/2017 05:16:16 pm
Luis I kind of see what your saying but if Liz had already passed for white and got caught, if she tried again, she would be in even more trouble. I would also like to say that the people in Little Rock 9 were people of color and could not pass for white.
Luis
2/1/2017 08:01:27 pm
Well, so is Liz!
Blaize
2/1/2017 02:32:56 pm
Your piece of text helped me think of the changes before Liz was caught. I mostly focused on the later details.
M&M
2/1/2017 02:58:40 pm
I dont understand how starting a peaceful riot can help liz not have to pass for white
addie
2/1/2017 06:57:05 pm
I agree with you Luis I think that they also wold have wanted to integrate because of what the little rock 9 had gone through.
M&M
1/31/2017 02:41:25 pm
I studied Minnijean Brown in class. Minnijean was the first of the nine students to get suspended as well as expelled. She also got Two degrees in college, a bachelors, and a masters. Finally Minnijean still is alive today and lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.
M&M
1/31/2017 02:50:21 pm
I read the question wrong. If the people from lolr did know about this their lives would've been different because if Liz wanted to she could try to go to the middle school in hopes that she may get the army to come help her out. Also Marlee wouldn't have to worry when she went to go see Liz because she could see her at school. Marlee's father wouldnt have to get in the way of them hanging out because liz and her could do it at school where they were protected. And finally, Liz would've been able to do the speech in front of her class with Marlee.
Cameron
2/1/2017 04:01:15 pm
I agree with you M&M. I like how you used your background knowledge.
Charlotte
2/1/2017 06:35:04 pm
I agree that she might have fath in her peers but the national gard might not be the best.
Cullen
1/31/2017 03:29:08 pm
From my point of view, if the characters from LOLR knew how the lives of the Little Rock 9 turned out, then the characters for integration, like Marlee, her dad, and Liz, would have faith in the Little Rock 9, and they would be happy that the 9 would succeed. I researched Terrence Roberts, and he gets through his junior year in Little rock before the schools close, then he goes and graduates in Los Angeles. I also read that all of the little rock 9 got the highest civilian award by Bill Clinton, the President, which is the Congressional Gold Medal. If anyone at that time knew that 9 African Americans were going to get the highest award a civilian could get, then they would know that history would change drastically. Now, for characters in LOLR who were for segregation, like JT and Red, then they might take drastic action to try to stop it. If you lived all your life with the idea that white is superior, then find out that 9 African Americans are going to get the highest civilian medal, wouldn't you try to stop it to keep things going in the same way? This is what I think would happen if LOLR characters would know about the lives of the Little Rock 9.
Stewy
2/1/2017 02:35:45 pm
I agree with you Cullen. People like Marlee would be overjoyed that the Little Rock Nine succeeded, and even where nationally recognize in the giving of the rewards. They would finally feel their beliefs were recognized.
Erica
2/1/2017 03:48:12 pm
Totally agree with you cullen
Charlotte
2/1/2017 06:33:20 pm
I agree that JT and red might devert the situation to stop id. But i think the would more likely put the spot light on to themselvs.
Addie
2/1/2017 07:01:56 pm
I strongly agree with you Cullen. I think that if the characters in the book saw what the 9 had really done to show who thy really are and what we really believe for people of color, the would have felt "faith" and would wanted to change.
Justin
1/31/2017 03:32:41 pm
If Marlee and Liz knew about the Little Rock Nine there would of probably been a difference in the school. Liz and Marlee both would of tried to make the school integrated instead of segregated. And Marlee would of not been scared of trying to talk to Liz. And no one would honestly care or would of had a say in them being friends and being in the same school. And the military might of helped Liz desegregate the middle school that they were trying to go to and peace might of come to there school that they were attending.
Cullen
1/31/2017 06:46:24 pm
Just a build on, but maybe people for segregation, like JT, would be annoyed at the Little Rock 9, and they'd try to stop it to keep life as it has always been. So, a question is, what would the segregationists think of the situation?
M&M
2/1/2017 03:01:54 pm
Technically the school is already integrated because of the federal law, Liz stopped going there because she was afraid she might get hurt
Blaize
1/31/2017 03:47:24 pm
The characters of LOLR don't know what happened to the little rock nine and if they did I think it would change the story a lot. For instance I believe that they would have some hope and inspiration. The dad says we can't seem to find our voice but if they knew of the LRN's fate it would help them find a voice. That would in all make segregation and racism less potent.
Ben
2/1/2017 05:48:52 pm
I agree with the part that says, "That would in all make segregation and racism less potent." I agree with this because I thought that if the people of LOLR knew that the people of the Little Rock Nine would get jobs that would make people know that eventually things would be equal so people might stop being racist then.
Cam
1/31/2017 03:58:41 pm
I believe that if LOLR characters knew about the little rock nine it would have changed them in many ways. One way that it would have changed them is most black people and some white people would be able to sand up for non-racism.Another way would be that white people might not be as afraid to go to school together so they could have integrated schools.Lastly I think that Liz and Marlee wouldn't be as scared to have a secret friendship. That is how I think the LOLR characters would have been impacted by the Little Rock Nine.
keenan
1/31/2017 05:28:44 pm
Cam I agree with you that they would stand up to non-raisism because the LR9 would have inspired them and given them courage.
Sabrina
1/31/2017 04:36:58 pm
I think that if the characters in LOLR knew about the fate of the Little Rock Nine they would have very mixed reactions. I believe that it would make Liz more confident. She already took the risk of enrolling in an all white school, but if she had learned about the fate of the Little Rock Nine, she would probably take more care, but still keep in mind Ernest Green and how he graduated first. I feel knowing his fate would make Liz more determined and confident. As for Marlee, I feel that knowing the fate of the Little Rock Nine would keep her believing in her and Liz's friendship later on in the book and inspire her to keep doing what she believes in. However, I don't think this will happen until later in the book. As already demonstrated in LOLR, Marlee becomes less shy after meeting Liz, but Marlee also contributes to this herself by joining the WEC, telling JT that she won't do his homework anymore, and by secretly meeting Liz. As for the rest of the characters, I think knowing the fate of the Little Rock Nine would have made them feel like their opinions on segregation were confirmed. Marlee's dad would say that this is a perfect reason to open schools. In the book he says that he just wants the schools to open and what would the harm be with a few people of color. On the other hand, Marlee's mother would say that the schools should remain closed as long as any mention of integration was afloat. I know this because she replies to Marlee's father by saying that having people of color with white people will lead to race mixing. I feel Judy would have the same opinion as her mother, but just so the schools could open again. In conclusion, I feel that knowing the fate of the Little Rock Nine would have affected the characters in LOLR by strengthening families opinions on integration, and generating confidence for both Marlee and Liz, as well as strengthening their friendship.
Cullen
1/31/2017 06:42:40 pm
Sabrina I totally agree with your thoughts, but if I were to build on, what would the other characters feel, like JT, Sally, or maybe even Betty Jean?
Sabrina
2/1/2017 05:10:37 pm
Cullen, the reason that I didn't include characters like JT, Sally, or Betty Jean is because at the beginning of my bit about Marlee's family, I say that as for the rest of the characters, I feel that knowing the fate of the Little Rock Nine would increase their opinions on segregation. I feel like that would happen with the rest of the characters that I didn't include.
courtney
1/31/2017 04:41:11 pm
If Marlee and Liz knew the fates of the little rock nine they would know that black people have graduated from a white school and went to collage then they would think, if they are going to do it, so can we.
Corinna
1/31/2017 04:54:45 pm
If the characters in LOLR knew the fate of their town, Little Rock, things in the book would be very different. I think the characters who seem to be for integration would be inspired by the Little Rock Nine and that would help them find their voice. For example both Marlee and her dad are for integration. I researched Carlotta Walls LaNier,she proudly graduated Michigan State University and the University of Northern Colorado , earned awards and then went on to found a real estate company. If Marlee were told that she'd probably be more determined to see Liz and fight for her and other African American's rights. It probably won't make the whole town happy but it would still definitely change things around Little Rock
Erica
2/1/2017 03:45:39 pm
I agree with you Cori but, I think you should have showed how the character would have been before and after.
zane
1/31/2017 04:57:46 pm
I think that most of the characters would react in a manner that most people today would think rude but back then they would think that was normal. I think that JT would think that the colored deserved it and my evidence is that he called Liz a "nigger" in a manner that has the purpose of hatred. Sally would react in a way that most would do as well in which they wouldn't care much as long as the stayed on their side of the line. My evidence is that when she told Marlee and her friends she acted as though Liz had crossed a line. Marlee would react in a way that reflects her dad a little bit. She would probably feel that they are being miss treated but knowing her boundary's that restricted her interjection to the problem.
Courtney
2/1/2017 06:49:40 pm
I like how you used evidence from the text (not prior knowledge) to back up your thoughts.
Anja
1/31/2017 05:04:28 pm
I believe that the characters in LOLR would think very differently if they knew the fates of the Little Rock Nine. Their thoughts would most likely be very big on the way of their perspective no matter which way it went. I think that the main character in the book, Marlee, would be glad for them because she doesn’t like segregation and feels that these people will get rid of segregation. It would impact her because she would feel that she is doing what’s right and not easy. She would also be more confident in what she is doing and how it will benefit more people. I think this because in the text she is still trying to meet Liz and she joines the WEC, Women’s Education Committee, which is hoping the schools will reopen. Doing these things she is confident but if she knew the future and how Mini Jean Brown became a journalist and rights activist she would feel powerful as well as everything else. The rest of the people in the story would react in the same way, just they would not be as ready to do something. I know this from the little rock nine because, the person that I studied, Mini Jean Brown, changed other peoples’ minds so she would change those in the story. I know this from LOLR because in the book Marlee’s dad takes an African American boy out of jail and spends fifty dollars on him and the mother of Marlee asks “Why did it have to be you?” and the dad replies “Who should it have been?” and this shows that they are willing to do something they just need the right motivation (the Little Rock Nine story.) Overall I think that most people in the story would be able to get rid of segregation in advance because of the Little Rock Nine's powerful fight for what is kind and not right.
Kimball
1/31/2017 05:09:45 pm
I think if the LOLR people knew about them, they would believe that they were not just dumb, worthless animals who just take up space. They would treat them like actual humans. In fact, many of the kids really helped. Jefferson Thomas served our country, and there are probably many others who did as well. If they knew, then they might fell sad that humans were mistreated in this way, and be extra nice.
Anja
1/31/2017 05:15:36 pm
I like and agree with those thoughts.
kelsey
1/31/2017 07:32:57 pm
I agree with the thought that they could except that they are smart but the opposite problem could happen where they think that the LR9 are dumb people and that there is no point in standing up for yourself if you're African-American because thats the way you are.
Cullen
1/31/2017 05:50:23 pm
Kimball,
Cam
2/1/2017 03:55:35 pm
I agree with you Kimball. I like how you included research from the person you researched.
Courtney
2/1/2017 06:56:05 pm
I disagree, just because someone serves in the military doesn't make them suddenly appreciated. In the revolutionary war, lots of black men served to fight for our country but they were still slaves once the war concluded. so why wouldn't it be different with the little rock nine? during segregation witch is technically not as bad. P.S. Elizabeth Ekford served for 5 years.
keenan
1/31/2017 05:12:03 pm
I believe that if the characters in Lions of Little Rock knew about the Little Rock Nine, they would have very different opinions about people of color. The supporting characters like Sally, JT, highly dislike people of color. They believe that they are horrible and think that whites are better. I bet if they knew about Little Rock Nine, they would think that they are idiots for going to a white school and that the Little Rock Nine should be punished. If Marlee knew the outcome of the Little Rock Nine, she would try to talk to the principle to get Liz back. She would also talk to Liz about it at the rock crusher.
Kimball
1/31/2017 05:19:37 pm
I disagree that they would think the little rock 9 were idiots, because they really were not and they did really good later on. They were not just bad animals.
Anja
1/31/2017 05:24:49 pm
I agree with Kimball.
keenan
1/31/2017 05:25:27 pm
That is not what I mean. I believe the LR9 was very inspiring. What I am saying is that JT would think that they are Idiots for attending a white school. this is not my opinion.
keenan
1/31/2017 05:26:32 pm
LR9 was a people of color group
Charlotte
1/31/2017 05:58:07 pm
If the characters knew how the lives of the Little Rock turned out, it might it affect them in many ways. If Marlee knew how it had ended out she might not even think twice to go hang out with Liz. In hope of a good future for her and Liz. And if Liz knew about it she might have not dropped school and stayed with her friend.
Cullen
1/31/2017 06:39:56 pm
Are you saying that Liz left the white school, or something different? If you're saying she purposely left the white school, then I disagree. If you're saying something along the lines of she was banned, then I totally agree. I'm just wondering how you're saying Liz dropping school.
Addie
1/31/2017 06:20:12 pm
Knowing the fate of the Little rock Nine would have affected the outcomes of the book later on. I think that if Marlee and Liz knew what the people in the Little Rock 9 had done, going to a white school and doing something that might not be a normal every day thing. I Know that Marlee and Liz really want to be together which is why knowing what they 9 kids did might give them confidence to try something. I think that they might have tried something because Marlee says that there has to be some way to be together, to get together. This shows that knowing the Little Rock 9 would have not only gave her confidence to do what she wanted but to give her a idea of what to do.
Erica
1/31/2017 06:32:26 pm
I think if the characters in Lolr knew about the Little Rock 9 the characters would have changed their opinions on how they treated people of color. I think some other people in Lolr like T.J., Red, and Sally knew about the Little Rock 9 they would not threaten people like Red does and more likely appreciate them. To support that when I was researching today I learned that Carlotta Wells won the Springarn Medal from the things she learned while doing real estate. This had showed a lot of people how brave she was and how hard she had to work to earn that medal.
Corinna
2/2/2017 07:09:36 am
I agree but I also believe that Marlee and Liz would make a difference in the lives of the black people first and then it would take longer for J.T and Sally to accept African American people
Ben
1/31/2017 06:33:16 pm
If the characters of lions of little rock knew what would happen to the little rock nine I think that there would be more integrationists. I believe this because if people knew that people of color were important then people would hang out with each other and then there would be less prejudice.
kelsey
1/31/2017 07:17:24 pm
I agree with you but think that there would be a riot about if the LR9 were important people or if they were worthless to try to be as good as the whites felt they were. But some more people (as you said) would be for integrating because they felt the LR9 were important.
Kelsey
1/31/2017 07:27:21 pm
I think that if the people in the book LOLR knew about the LR9 it would have effected J.T., Sally, Red and Liz. J.T., Sally, and Red all think that African Americans are worthless so this could either change them to think that they are actually capable people, or make them strongly think that there is no point in them standing up for themselves because they still have the same race. This knowledge would also change Liz by either making her show up at school the next day (day of the presentation) and keep being with white people, or make her not enroll in the school in the first place because its not worth the pain if anyone finds out.
Ben
2/1/2017 06:04:24 pm
I disagree that Liz might not enroll in the first place because if she did not enroll there where else would she enroll? There is no evidence that there is another white high school and Liz lives nearby so I believe she would still enroll at that school.
Skylar
2/1/2017 06:08:39 pm
I believe that the characters in LOLR who supported integration would have been encouraged to speak out against segregation. I believe this because Marlee's dad said that people just needed to find their voice, news of these student's success would likely encourage integrationists to speak out.
Corinna
2/2/2017 07:10:55 am
I agree but I also believe that Marlee might have helped people like J.T and Sally to accept African American people. Comments are closed.
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