It Has Happened Here by Virgil T. Blossom, published in 1959
This is an account of the beginnings of integration in the three public high schools in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. It was written by Virgil T. Blossom and published in 1959. Blossom was the Little Rock Superintendent of public schools from 1953-1958.
His documentation of these events conveys a vivid, contemporary view of the processes and perceptions of the integration of the Little Rock Independent School District during the decade of the 1950s. Chronicling the confusion, split opinions, and fear of both African American and White student populations, Blossom records many events that were unpleasant and overtly offensive.
This book relates physical and verbal attacks made by the White majority against the African American students and other members of their communities as integration took place. Some White students walked out of classes when integration first began; many White students stayed. The African American students arrived early and entered through side doors to avoid the abusive mobs. One example of bodily violence was experienced by a young African American man, Terrance Roberts. He related, “there was not a whole lot of trouble. I was pushed but I don’t know that anybody got hit. It was quiet after we got into classes. Some of the white students walked out. Just a few.” (107).
It is sobering to realize that the attack against Roberts physical wellbeing and innate human dignity was not necessarily considered an actual assault. This book provides a meaningful account of the chaos and trauma experienced by the African American communities during the early educational integration of the state of Arkansas. Blossom’s narrative provides a dense description of primary data during this decade of change.
Sadly, Blossom’s commitment to this significant social transformation resulted in his loss of position as the superintendent of Little Rock ISD. After these events, he moved to San Antonio Texas where he founded the North East Independent School District, the first school district in Texas to not have a history of segregation.
