TWELVE YEARS OF INTERGRATION
In elementary school, if something came up missing, all the black
kids from class would be sent to the principals office. Ms Martin the white principal would turn off the lights and say “I know one of ya’ll took xyz. Put in on the floor and you will not be punished.”
I once got paddled because the teacher confused me for the other light skin black girl that sat behind me.
Ms Chicken Leg Hardy announced to the history class while telling us how good slaves were treated on plantations, that since my last name was her maiden name that my family came off her families plantation.
She called African Americans “nigarass”.
She told my friend she was fat and lazy and would never amount to anything. That statement initiated my first act of rebellion.
I told her should couldn’t talk to any black person in our class. She had to come to me first.
I WAS SENT TO THE PRINCIPALS OFFICE.
My Mom had to bring me back to school. I thought I would get a whupping but I didn’t. They told my Mom I had a chip on my shoulder.
INTEGRATION
In 1988 School integration reached its all-time high; almost 45% of black students in the United States were attending majority-white schools. After this peak schools in many cities become more segregated.
Integration may have given us better books and facilities, but it exposed us to racism that many of us were shielded from in our homes, and segregated black schools.
I am convinced that integration was NOT the right thing for ME.
CLICK HERE for a timeline of my experience.
Thanks for listening.