Lessons from Little Rock

by Terrence Roberts

Sober news reports of a U.S. Army convoy rumbling across the bridge into Little Rock cannot overpower this intimate, powerful, personal account of the integration of Little Rock Central High School. Showing what it felt like to be one of those nine students who wanted only a good high school education, Roberts’s rich narrative and candid voice take readers through that rocky year, helping us realize that the historic events of the Little Rock integration crisis happened to real people―to children, parents, our fellow citizens.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Terrence James Roberts was one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American students who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1999, he and the other people of the Little Rock Nine were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton. On September 4, 1957, Roberts and eight other African American students (known as the Little Rock Nine) made an unsuccessful attempt to enter Little Rock Central High School. Despite the presence of the National Guard, an angry mob of about 400 surrounded the school.

terrence-roberts-image-about-usThe National Guard was removed with the protection of the students left to the local police. On September 23, 1957, a mob of about 1000 people surrounded the school as the students attempted to enter. The following day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent U.S. Army troops to accompany the students to school for protection. The troops were stationed at the school for the entirety of the school year, although they were unable to prevent incidents of violence inside.

As a result of the subsequent closing of Little Rock’s high schools during the 1958-1959 school year, Roberts completed his senior year in Los Angeles, California.

Roberts continued his education at California State University, Los Angeles and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1967. He received his Master’s degree in social welfare from the UCLA School of Social Welfare in 1970, and his Ph.D. in psychology from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in 1976.

From 1975 to 1977 he was a member of the faculty at Pacific Union College, a private liberal arts college in Napa Valley, California.

From 1977 to 1985 Roberts was Director of Mental Health at St. Helena Hospital and Health Center.

From 1985 to 1993 he was assistant dean in the UCLA School of Social Welfare.

Roberts joined the Antioch University Los Angeles in 1993 and served as core faculty and co-chair of the Master of Arts in Psychology program until 2008. He is currently Principal of the management-consulting firm, Terrence Roberts Consulting.

Reviews

[Sarah Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a profound account Dr. Roberts shares in his book. I feel like I need to give this 5 stars because the story needs to be told and written about and overall I'm floored. But, I wish this actually told more. So much of it read like a psychoanalysis of what transpired instead of a plain narrative of what he felt and experienced. I guess it's unfair of me, but I didn't want to read a psychologically driven narrative of how an older man saw his younger self. I know it's hard to see things as they were but I wanted more of his day to day life. Having said that, I loved his discussion of his mother, what a woman. I loved his end thank you and honor of the other Little Rock 9 and I love his reasoning of dialogue to reach a better future. I loved his philosophy and that he stuck this out. I was just slightly disappointed by this book, slightly. Though, I do find it profound and a book really needed amongst literature discussing American History.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! Short book that took me forever to read since I've been in school and took a pleasure-reading hiatus. Four stars because I wish he had talked more about his time at Central and how it affected his life after than his childhood, but he mentioned several tv interviews with the Little Rock Nine that I will definitely be watching.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

the little rock is about the story of one of the nine African Americans that went into an all-white school to get a better education. Terrence Roberts was one of them and tells us about how he went into that school and his life story. "It was imperative for us to take a stand then and there, and by so doing we became part of an ever-growing movement to end racial discrimination in the United States"(15). He tells us about he goes in a burger joint, but instead of leaving and going out of the restaurant like they have to do, sits down and everyone just stares at him. He told us that he quickly left and never came back. When he went into this school they were probably stared at the whole time and bullied, but they stuck in there and got the education they needed. this was one of the steps in the African Americans becoming free, then was rosa parks, then Martin Luther King.

[Daeny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an eye-opening reminder that social justice isn't as easy as we think, and that nonviolence is one of the hardest things you can commit yourself to. The writing gets better as you go on, especially in the final chapters as the discussion turns from remembering the years at Central to providing solutions and ways that we can and must move forward. The final chapters were undoubtedly my favorite part of the book.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have liked the book so far. It has action in some parts, and is sad in other parts. The book is very interesting. The story it tells is pretty good because it goes on about the high school in the story and the struggle the Little Rock Nine went through. The problem in the story is segregation and how it is affecting black people. The story has kept my interest so far and has been very nice to read. The story is very touching in some parts.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of one of the 9 students who were the first black students at Little Rock Central High School. This is not only an important addition to the story of the civil rights movement, but it is also the very personal story of Terrence Roberts, his family, and the effect that this incident, as well as many incidents since that time, had on him and his family.

[Katie Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Easy and quick to go through, firsthand perspective of history from not too long ago. Even his speeches in the appendix show how much progress we still need to make. 1997 wasn't that long ago, and it's almost eerie reading it now with such times of turmoil in our country regarding racism.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Mr. Roberts' story. It was interesting to hear not only his time in Central but also before and after. The desegregation didn't solve the segregation issues even today but it is an important part of history.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story, I wish there was more info though.

[MariMel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring life! I loved Dr. Roberts' many life lessons, which will help us overcome the racist history of the US.

[Ron Sitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine, integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

[Susan Abshier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely AMAZING. This eye-opening book brings light to topics such as racism, peace, discrimination, social class differences, diversity within ethnic groups, and the imperfection of Humanity as a whole. Roberts writes about his experiences growing up in Little Rock Arkansas. He writes in a way that is easy to read but holds much room for interpretation. This was a required book for a college course but it felt more like leisure reading. This book would be appropriate for high schoolers and adults. Educators could use this book to bring awareness to racism, the truth about history, and so much more. I definitely suggest that you read this book!

[JohnP · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the Little Rock integration as told from the perspective of Terrence Roberts, one of the “Little Rock Nine”. This book is filled with vignettes from Dr. Roberts, going back to when he was a very young child growing up in Little Rock. It is an excellent look of what it meant to be black in Arkansas in the 1940s and 50s.

It was amazing to read about all the methods Dr. Roberts employed to keep his sanity and dignity in tact. It was even more amazing, however, to read his words of hope despite all he went through.

[Note: I had the privilege of having Dr. Roberts speak at our school. He was an amazing speaker who was full of life and positive lessons for our middle school students.]

[Tishon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story that needed to be told and, as a member of the Little Rock 9, Roberts is certainly qualified to tell it. The prose, however, leaves a bit to be desired. There were times where the book felt as though it had been written for an audience completely new to African American's and African American culture. Maybe Robert's intent was a broad stroke that would speak to any reader. It's worth the read but I suspect there are more engaging books to be read on the subject.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was anxious to read this book as a companion to Warriors Don't Cry which is also about the Little Rock 9. I didn't find this nearly as engaging. The writing is a bit choppy at times and he includes much more about his life before the Central High integration. It was a more detached view of what happened - surprisingly not a lot of emotion. I'm glad I read it but it won't stay with me like Warriors Don't Cry.

[Mel Raschke]

I read this for HB Reads One Book. Terrence Roberts was of the nine high school students that were selected to go to an all white high school. I learned so much reading this book. It is my new favorite non-fiction book. He says a lot about how and why we treat people.

[Joanne Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after hearing Roberts speak at a local school. I had read "Warriors Don't Cry" years ago, and it was interesting to get a male viewpoint of the daunting experiences of the Little Rock nine. Every one of them is a hero in my eyes.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely read. Racism is not dead and the book provides valuable insight into how to combat it effectively.