Race, Faith and Culture allows students to see new changes
Posted by The Skyliner on February 17th, 2010
In June of 1965 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a crowd of fellow believers in Eutaw, Alabama. King, amongst many others, pushed for racial equality and sought to break down the social barriers that had been set forth by society. During his life, King became one of the most iconic speakers for the movement against racism. It is because of his dream the United States has set aside its differences and has elected officials of many different races. Associated Press Photo
James Chip Moore
Staff Writer
On Feb. 9, the Race, Faith and Culture Committee held a cultural event that focused on the integration of schools in America.
Paul Thompson introduced the featured documentary for the evening. The 50 minute film titled Fighting Back gave a personal view of the students who participated in the challenge of merging cultures in our society. A reason this topic has been brought up and focused on is the firm belief that Christian believers, if anyone, should be able to approach the issues with sound mind and level thinking.
Following the film, several guest speakers were available to share their stories and answer questions from the audience. Among the speakers were Betty Stall, a member of the citizens committee that helped with integration, Jennifer Suber who was an elementary student at Mountain View and Melvin Suber who was a student at Lake Forest Elementary when her school was integrated.
Stall thought integration was not very violent in Greenville County because the governor and mayor spoke up and were peaceful and accepting examples. She also stated that some banks closed down and sent employees to help with the integration process.
Jennifer Suber’s experience was more uncomfortable. She went from being able to walk across the yard to get to school to having to take the bus. She said integration was not that hard for her because children do not carry prejudice. Before Jennifer Suber and Freddie, another child from her neighborhood, were integrated into their new school, they were told to sit together on the bus and play together at recess. Then there came a day when Jennifer Suber went to her mom and told her that she did not want to play with Freddie every day. Eventually she grew a bond with a white girl at school and they became best friends.
Melvin Suber was also on the less difficult spectrum of the integration because he was in elementary school. Because he had formerly lived across from school, the change was something that took him out of his comfort zone. Although he did enjoy the bus ride, the new environment was something that he had to adapt to. Melvin Suber credited his old teachers with easing his adaptation to the new school by the education they gave him. The love and security of his old school was gone, but he carried on their teaching.
Jennifer Suber stated that she thanked God for the integration. Melvin Suber even had his eyes opened to the integration situation by watching the documentary. He knew of the struggle, but he was unaware of the extent.
Throughout history there have been numerous people that have carried large loads so that the next generation does not have to. They should never be forgotten.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 4