50 years later

The Virginian Pilot is carrying a six-part series on Massive Resistance in Norfolk, with Part 3 having been published today. The series started Sunday, one day before the 50th anniversary of the closing of six public schools.

Vodpod videos no longer available. The articles have been informative and entertaining as we look back on this shameful period in Virginia’s history. Unfortunately, a reading of the comments on each story leads me to thnk we’ve still got a long way to go. A number of comments complain about the timing of the story – as if the 50th anniversary could somehow be moved to a point after the election. One comment sums up much of what my own thoughts are:

… I am extremely embarrassed by many of these comments. I grew up in the segregated south (separate water fountains for “Whites” and “Coloreds” in the Portsmouth Giant Open Air Market as recently as the early 60’s.) I am proud of how far we have come. That is, until I read such ignorant comments as posted below about the Pilot trying to stir up racism and effect election results simply by writing about factual events – about history! … If you truly believe that reading about these historical events only perpetrates racism than I really feel sorry for you.

Norfolk was not the only school system closed during these days nor was it closed for the longest period of time. But the effect of the closing – and subsequent reopening – of the state’s largest school system revererbated. In conjunction with the anniversary, Norfolk’s City Council appointed a Commission, which has been working to determine how to commemorate the occasion. Yesterday, the End of Massive Resistance Commission announced a series events, scheduled for January and February 2009. On February 2, 2009 – the 50th anniversary of the schools reopening – members of the Norfolk 17 and the Lost Class of 1959 will visit the schools.