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Opening Doors commemorates 40 years of integration, pioneers at the University of Alabama

By Kalisha D. Whitman [Hamilton High School]
& Timothy L. White [Central High School]

Looking back 40 years, people see that on June 11, 1963, Vivian Malone and James Hood walked up the steps of Foster Auditorium.

The crowd mostly jeered as the two passed in their very own military escort. Malone and Hood, after Autherine Lucy’s aborted enrollment in 1956, were the first to pave the way for minorities to seek their education through the University of Alabama.

Many people know that the integration at the University of Alabama was important, but some wonder about what actually happened on that summer day four decades ago. Why is it important to look back at the events and pay tribute to those involved? Today’s UA students find that the importance of 1963’s events played a major role in their education.

“Because of the incident in 1963, it gave me enough reason to attend the UA,” said Darrell Guyton, a senior at UA. “Malone-Jones and Hood’s actions opened doors that were closed because UA was a predominately white school.”

Although Guyton is African-American, many white Alabama students have seen the changes in race relations since Hood and Malone entered the University.

“I feel that the UA has grown in regards to equality, but also feel the UA has room for improvement. Maybe my eyes are closed because I’m part of the majority,” said Justin Ellis, a senior at the University of Alabama.

“From my point of view, minorities have equal rights. I still feel that there is a barrier among the student population, because there isn’t a lot of student interaction,” Leslie Treece, a junior at UA said.

Former Gov. George Wallace felt enough pressure from white supremacist voters to physically stand in the doorway of Foster Auditorium in a symbolic gesture to block Malone and Hood from registering for classes. In remembrance of the social changes brought on by Wallace’s historic “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” and the enrollment of Hood and Malone, the university held a three-day celebration this past June 9-11.

The program entitled, “Opening Doors,” paid tribute to the pioneers and served as a day of observation. The events kicked off with an opening gala at the Jemison House that also served as a time of reflection for its attendees.

“The purpose of ‘Opening Doors’ is to continue remembering from where we have come and where to go in the future. Also, it may serve to identify the barriers that obstruct equal opportunity,” said Kathleen Cramer, assistant vice president for student affairs.

The guests of the opening ceremony came by invite only. Esteemed people such as Malone-Jones, Hood, Lucy, Robert Kennedy Jr. and 36 other pioneers joined in the festivities.

The second day’s events included a historical and a photographic exhibit. The two displays held artwork and pictures of the actions that occurred near June of 1963. A media day introduced Culpepper Clark, the dean of the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences. The day ended with a dinner and a pioneer recognition program.

The last day started with church services at the Baptist Student Union in the morning. Following church, the program continued with a symposium entitled “Reflections from African-American Alumni,” held at the Ferguson Center. A special candlelight vigil and a culminating program at Foster Auditorium closed the celebration.

University administrators hoped that the complete three-day festivities would increase understanding and commitment to diversity issues. In the future, the University has plans to reopen art exhibits and increase classes with African-American emphasis at UA.

Malone, Hood and Wallace’s actions in 1963 played a crucial step towards lifting the educational policy. Students may take for granted seeing a minority enrolled at the University of Alabama, but pioneers like Malone-Jones and Hood sacrificed their humility to make the occurrence possible.

Honoring those who faced discrimination for the betterment of minorities, “Opening Doors” played a vital part in inspiring others to change fundamental facing society today.

These steps led to a brighter future for thousands of minority students. Programs such as “Opening Doors” represents the positive repercussion of a historical event. It will allow the people of the future to remember what 1963 means to Alabama.

“Regardless of how hard it gets, the sun will always come out,” said Samory Pruitt, an executive assistant to UA President Robert Witt. “If it doesn’t come out, we’ll all be in trouble.”

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