Historical April–May 2019 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The graduating sixth grade class of the Wilson School in DeMun, which includes Olive Meara of the 5900 of Pershing (on the right in photo), went on a special field trip that explored experiences from the civil rights movement. Reading about our history in articles and books acquaints us with our past.
It has been even more meaningful to visit significant sites and meet those who lived through the tumultuous times of the 1950s and 60s.
It became a school trip no one would forget.
The Wilson troupe first stopped at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
They saw where Dr. King had been shot and where his assassin had stood.
The next day they were in Little Rock.
They went to Central High School where 9 brave black students integrated the facility under federal court order. Demonstrations and threats greeted these students and President Eisenhower had to send federal troops to enforce the order and protect the nine.
There is a museum there now.
The Wilson students saw a film about one of the Little Rock nine who still works at the school. Olive and her group were able to talk directly with people who had been in the film.
On the bus, they listened to freedom songs.
On the way back home they stopped for lunch at an Elvis restaurant in Memphis.
Then it was back to the Lorraine Motel to see 36 exhibits.
They also saw Ray’s room and learned about his conspiracy theories.
It was a fascinating adventure.
Original photograph caption
Wilson School graduating sixth grade class on civil rights trip; Olive Meara identified at right in source.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2019.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2019_04.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
