students: they beat them up, destroyed their lockers, walked on their heels, and threw flaming paper wads at the black students in the bathroom. They threw lighted sticks of dynamite at Melba Pattillo, stabbed her, and sprayed acid in her eyes.Gradually, the U.S. Guard ceased to accompany the students, forcing them to fend for themselves. Christmas neared which meant a much-deserved vacation for the “Little Rock Nine.” Unfortunately, Christmas did not arrive soon enough for Minnijean Brown, who dumped her lunch tray over two white boys who had taunted her on December 17. Despite the fact that the boys defended Minnijean, explaining that the act of aggression was well-warranted, Minnijean was suspended for six days. She was reinstated later in January, as she gave consent that she would no longer physically or verbally retaliate to any form of harassment, but instead allow the school to provide punishment. She was not able to keep to her agreement, when in early February she was suspended for calling a girl who was provoking her “white trash.” Many of the white students were jubilant about the expulsion, creating posters which read “One down…eight to go!”However, it was not to be. The other eight students all completed the school year. In May of 1958, in spite of the numerous protests, Ernest Green became the first black graduate of Central High School in Little Rock. He was the sole minority student in his class of 602 students.Segregationists in Arkansas were appalled that Ernest Green had actually graduated, and decided they would take any action to prevent any other black students from doing so. Once again, the Little Rock School Board pleaded for a court injunction on integration which they were initially granted. The injunction would not make it to the school year, as the Supreme Court overturned it, once again sending a message that integration was necessary.Governor Faubus wa...
