'Kicking, Spitting, and General Abuse'.

• Position: PAIRING A PRIMARY & SECONDARY SOURCE - Excerpt

On Sept. 25, 1957, nine African-American teens integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, after being blocked and harassed by white protesters for three weeks. Although National Guard troops remained at the school all year to protect the Little Rock Nine, the students faced abuse. Below is an excerpt from a letter written by Arkansas civil rights activist Daisy Bates to Roy Wilkins, head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). It describes conditions at the school during the 1957-58 school year. Read the letter along with the Upfront article about the Little Rock Nine, then answer the questions at the bottom of the page.

Letter From Daisy Bates to Roy Wilkins

December 17, 1957

Dear Mr. Wilkins,

Conditions are yet pretty rough in the school for the children. Last week, Minnie Jean's* mother, Mrs. W. B. Brown, asked me to go over to the school with her for a conference with the principal, and the two assistant principals. Subject of conference: "Firmer disciplinary measures and the withdrawal of Minnie Jean from the glee club's Christmas program." The principal had informed Minnie Jean in withdrawing her from the program that "When it is definitely decided that Negroes will go to school here with the whites, and the troops are removed, then you will be able to participate in all activities."

We also pointed out that the treatment of the children had been getting steadily worse for the last two weeks in the form of kicking, spitting, and general abuse. As a result of our visit, stronger measures are being taken against the white students who are guilty of committing these offenses. For instance, a boy who had been suspended for two weeks, flunked both six weeks tests, and on his return to school, the first day he knocked Gloria Ray into her locker. As a result of our visit, he was given an indefinite suspension.

The superintendent of schools also...