History students meet civil rights activist Minnijean Brown
Posted on June 26, 2024
Year 12 Macleans College history students were delighted to be given the unique privilege of meeting Minnijean Brown, a member of the Little Rock Nine and her daughter Spirit Tawfiq.
The Little Rock Nine were a group of African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrolment in the school was followed by what is now known as the Little Rock Crisis, whereby the group of African American students were initially prevented from attending the school.
The Macleans College students were thrilled with this opportunity and couldn't wait to hear about Minnijean’s first hand views and experiences.
Minnijean shared her stories about how desegregation of schools occurred in her hometown, Little Rock, Arkansas. Her daughter, Spirit, asked Minnijean questions about her struggles going to Central High School and how she overcame them. She answered with inspiring mana, and gave the students advice on how to stand up to racism and have integrity and self-respect. Students were also given the opportunity to ask Minnijean questions gaining further insight into her story.
At the meeting’s conclusion, the history students expressed how honoured they felt to be in the same room as Minnijean Brown. The students will now use and apply all the insights and information gained in their upcoming internal assessment.
