Jefferson Thomas, one of the African-American students part of the Little Rock High school segregation controversy walking amongst students in hallway of Central High School, Little Rock Arkansas, four years after graduating. The hall is filled with students changing classes. Thomas climbs staircase holding the bannister. A white student courteously tries to help him find his way. He walks down a hall and looks at teacher and students in a classroom. Scene shifts to years earlier, showing Thelma Mothershed, another of the Little Rock Nine African-American students, in a similar classroom at Central High, and then rapidly to her walking along a hallway, at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. She speaks of teaching and children, as scenes show her with children in school settings. She is also seen in a dressmaking class. Scene reverts back to her at Central High in Little Rock.
Jefferson Thomas, of the "Little Rock Nine," in a hallway, revisiting Central High School, in Little Rock Arkansas. He looks through a classroom window at a former teacher, Miss Dunn, speaking to a class from a lab table next to an anatomical model. View of Ernest Green sitting with other students in a lab filled with electronic equipment. Much later, as President of the NAACP chapter on campus of Michigan State University, he is seen handing out pamphlets to other students. Views of students congregating on the grounds of the university. One girl holds a poster reading "Give, NAACP Fund Drive." Professor David Gottlieb introduces Ernest Green who steps to a classroom podium to speak to Michigan State students in a lecture room. Green carrying books is seen entering and sitting down in the Michigan State library. In another scene, he enters sociological data into Hollerith punch cards for processing by computer. He walks in the university computer room where tape decks are seen spinning and computer operators are at work. One of the tapes mounted on a drive is labeled: "Ernest Green, Aspirations." Results from his work are seen coming out of a line printer. Green sits in a library and opens the 1960 yearbook of Central High School containing his and Carlotta Walls 'entries. View of Carlotta, in dorm at Denver University, Colorado, where she is a student. Gloria Ray is seen at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she is a senior majoring in chemistry. Terrence Roberts is seen at the City College of Los Angeles, where he is studying Business Administration. Melba Pattillo, who left college to marry, is seen in two views. Scene shifts back to Central High and Jefferson Thomas, looking at the athletic trophies on display. He (who is narrating this film) states that he will take an exam in Spring to become a Certified Public Accountant. He walks down steps of Central High and camera pans over neighborhood to the State Capitol dome in distance. (Civil rights movement era.)
U.S. Army soldiers move on road in vehicles and a military station wagon. They march with rifles on their shoulders. They escort African American students (the "Little Rock Nine") from Little Rock Central High School, to the waiting car. The students enter the car. Driver is seen as the car leaves the school grounds. (During civil rights movement.)
"Little Rock Nine" African American students are escorted from Little Rock Central High School by armed United States Army 101st Airborne soldiers, and enter a Country Sedan station wagon under 'Operation Arkansas' in Little Rock, during civil rights movement. Soldiers board a jeep and follow the station wagon. Soldiers march and drill with guns in front of the school.
Soldiers sit on ground during a prayer meeting at Grassy Acre in Camp Robinson under 'Operation Arkansas'. U.S. Army chaplain Chester Lindsey of 101st Airborne Division addresses the meeting from a dais. Soldiers pray. Major General Edwin A Walker sits with the officers and soldiers of 101st Airborne Division. He sits on a chair while some of the soldiers sit in front and others stand behind him. He talks to the soldiers and smiles.
Walter A Harris, President of the National Association of Suggestion System presents plaque to Hugh M Milton III, Assistant Secretary of Army for 'Operation Arkansas'. Both shake hands and smile. Assistant Secretary of Army accepts the plaque on behalf of the United States Army. Honorable Harris Ellsworth, Chairman of the Civil Service Committee; General Booth; General Lyman L Lemnitzer, Vice Chief of Staff and other dignitaries are also present in the function.
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