A new generation celebrates integration at UA
by leonard cotton

Winners of the "Opening Doors" Art Contest chat with Vivian Malone Jones before the start of the program. (Photo by Leonard Cotton)

After three days of activities to recognize those responsible for the successful integration of the university 40 years ago this week, one might wonder if younger people truly understand the importance of the June 11, 1963 event.

Based on what happened at one program Wednesday afternoon, the answer would be "yes."

UA's student organizations and students from Tuscaloosa-area middle and high schools took the spotlight at a youth program that featured skits and awards presentations to the winners of essay and art contests.

While most of the events for the university's "Opening Doors" celebration featured or recognized 40 Pioneers integrating and diversifying the university, the youth program was an opportunity for the local and campus community to be involved.

"We wanted to include activities that would help young people reflect upon the historical significance of what Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood accomplished," said Joyce B. Stallworth, associate professor of English education and department head of secondary education in the UA College of Education.

Local students present their work

Students were challenged to either write an essay or create a mixed media art project.

Students who chose to write an essay were asked to discuss how the events of the past helped to provide opportunities for others. Those who chose the mixed media art project were given the task of creating an art project centered around the theme of "Opening Doors," presenting images of the 1963 events and opportunities that were made as a result.

"Autherine Lucy, Vivian Malone and James Hood made the virtuous choice to endure torment and anguish during a trying time; they opened a door to thousands of African-Americans," wrote eighth-grader Athea Royster, the middle school essay winner from Hillcrest Middle School.

Continued Royster:

"These remarkable students allowed African-Americans and all citizens to be treated equally in our schools, colleges and universities in all regions of the United States despite ethnic group and background."

Two other eighth graders, KeiAra Sanders of Westlawn Middle and Erik Hestevold of Eastwood Middle, were also recognized for their essays.

Meanwhile, local ninth grader Karen Mei topped two seniors in the high school essay competition. Mei moved to Tuscaloosa from China five years ago.

"Immediately after this Alabama incident," Mei wrote, "President John F. Kennedy issued a televised address to the entire nation pouring out his disgust at its hypocrisy.

"This land that preached liberty and equality to the world, he insinuated sarcastically, welcomed everyone but the colored; this land of zero prejudice discriminated no one but the colored, and this land of fair opportunities offered chances to everyone except, again, the colored.

"He pointed out the moral crisis boiling before his people and informed them in simple terms that he proposed to make drastic changes at once."

As first place winners in the essay contest, both Mei and Royster had the opportunity to read their work to a crowd at the Ferguson Center Theater on the UA campus.

Winners in the middle and high school contests were also recognized. Each in their own way expressed the valuable insight that they learned from their artistic experience, and what the impact of the struggles of the 40 Pioneers has had on their present, past and future.

The students, who were selected by a committee of local teachers and university professors, had the opportunity to meet the civil rights Pioneers who were the subject of their artwork and essays.

Learning from the past

John Blackburn addresses the audience during the celebration. (Photo by Leonard Cotton)

The local students also got the opportunity to hear from the present and past university community. Among them were Katie Boyd, 2003-04 Student Government Association president, and Calvin Harkness, a past president of the UA NAACP chapter, who reflected upon the events of 1956 and 1963 as "a guide for a better tomorrow."

One of the highlights of the program came when former UA administrator John Blackburn, instrumental in preparing for the events of June 11, 1963, commended the students for their hard work.

"There isn't enough history about the contributions of the young people who helped with the integration process of 1956 and 1963," said Blackburn, who, as dean of students in 1963, spearheaded campus preparations for Wallace's confrontation with Malone and Jones at Foster Auditorium.

"When I see these young people receiving these awards for what they have done, I feel confident that in the future the years are going to be even better," he said.

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