Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD –
Q: What was the strongest part of the 50th anniversary commemoration?
A. All the Little Rock Nine speaking. Those who witnessed it saw history happening.
Q: Who gave the best speech at the commemoration?
A. A toss up between Student Body President Cyrus Bahrassa and Melba Pattillo Beals. Beals was spectacular just like Elizabeth Eckford was at the opening of the new visitor center on Monday. Bahrassa was excellent at both the museum dedication and commemoration event. I would rank Eckford’s speech at the opening of the Visitor Center, Ernie Green’s speech at Political Animals Club, Beals’s speech at the commemoration ceremony, Bahrassa’s speech at the Visitor Center opening and Clinton’s speech at the gala as the top five for all the events with Nikki Giovanni’s reading at the Visitor Center opening very much in the mix.
Q: Why didn’t all the national television morning shows broadcast from Little Rock?
A. President George W. Bush did not attend the event. President Bush’s absence kept many of the national press corps from attending.
Q. Who surprised you the most?
A. Tavis Smiley, who interviewed, President Clinton, members of the Little Rock Nine and me among others yesterday morning before the ceremony. Being around him during the recording of his show Tuesday morning was both a privilege and a pleasure.
Q. What was the best souvenir?
A. Coca Cola produced a commemorative bottle that was distributed at Monday night’s gala. (I wonder what they are selling for on EBay…)
Q. What was the Little Rock Nine Foundation Gala like?
A. Bill Clinton gave a tremendous speech. Carlotta Walls Lanier did an incredible job planning this event. Had it not been for all the Little Rock Nine speaking at the commemoration ceremony, the highly successful and enjoyable gala might have overshadowed it.
Q. Who were the unsung stars of the 50th?
A. Cynthia East, who helped coordinate the Little Rock Nine Foundation Gala; Sally Porter who coordinated the volunteers; and Virgil Miller who co-chaired the 50th anniversary commission and showed years of remarkable leadership and patience. Also, Nikolai DiPippa, who set up the Little Rock Nine press conference and numerous other Clinton School events related to the 50th.
Q. Will there be a 60th?
A. I would hope so. In the meantime, I know on the 51st–September 25, 2008–John DiPippa, Associate Dean of the Bowen Law School and I have already had discussions about hosting a joint program. Next year will also be the 50th anniversary of the founding of Women’s Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools (WEC)—this group of brave women who fought to reopen LR schools in 1958-59 deserves to be honored. Then-First Lady Hillary Clinton spoke at the WEC’s 40th ceremony in 1998.
Q. Would you have changed anything?
A. Yes, upon reflection, I would have organized a tribute to Senator Dale Bumpers for his legislative achievement in making Central High a National Historic Site. In addition to its historical and civil rights significance, the Little Rock Central High National Historic Site has been an economic and tourism boom to the city and state. Mayor Woodrow Mann, who was a voice of reason in 1957, also deserves more recognition.
Q. What did you think about the Renaud brothers documentary about Little Rock Central 50 years later?
A. I liked it. I know others who didn’t, but I personally thought it was well done and balanced. It spoke true to Little Rock’s challenges in housing and the work that still remains in closing the achievement gap at Central High. Regarding Central, I think Principal Nancy Rousseau is doing a great job. Central is an inner city urban high school which is thriving, and Nancy is a class act. But if you haven’t seen the documentary, I encourage you to do so.
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