Little Rock 9 take pride in Obama's victory
The black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in a harrowing 1957 confrontation that riveted the nation's attention expressed their joy Wednesday in Barack Obama's election as the first black president.
During the campaign, Obama often said he was grateful to the so-called Little Rock Nine and other veterans of the civil rights movement. Wednesday, members of the group said the incoming president was more than welcome.
"I'm so happy today. You can't get anything out of me except for how happy and proud I am," said Gloria Ray Karlmark of Stockholm, Sweden, one of the nine black teenagers escorted by federal troops into the all-white school.
The granddaughter of a slave, Ray Karlmark and the others endured ridicule and threats from white crowds enraged by the Supreme Court's order to desegregate the nation's schools.
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During the campaign, Obama often said he was grateful to the so-called Little Rock Nine and other veterans of the civil rights movement. Wednesday, members of the group said the incoming president was more than welcome.
"I'm so happy today. You can't get anything out of me except for how happy and proud I am," said Gloria Ray Karlmark of Stockholm, Sweden, one of the nine black teenagers escorted by federal troops into the all-white school.
The granddaughter of a slave, Ray Karlmark and the others endured ridicule and threats from white crowds enraged by the Supreme Court's order to desegregate the nation's schools.