On Sunday, September 25, 2022, the 65th commemoration of Central High School’s desegregation by the Little Rock Nine brought in the notables once again to honor the sacrifice and commitment of nine students who stood bravely amid harm and danger to let their voice be heard. One, Jefferson Thomas is no longer with them, but they all showed up in person or via streaming service to share their story.
Dumas was on site and represented by The College of Aspiring Artists and DAT—C as official partners to share and attend the programs.
“It’s both a joyful moment and a sad moment to witness. Joyful to see how this group of young people overcome and how they are successful for their efforts and sacrifice by them and many others who stood with them and help to defeat the opposition to desegregate the schools. Sad, when I think about the senselessness in their day and unfortunately the senselessness in our present day when we see people who choose to block progress because they are in a position of power that allows this type of injustice to prevail. The goal to get young people today to stand up like the Little Rock Nine from Dumas to DC is truly a work in progress and to especially get adults to declare as the 2022 theme decrees, SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION,” stated Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., earlier.
Photos here show moments that Hunt had with the National Parks Superintendent of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Robin White, Hunt and Former Secretary of Transportation for the United States, Rodney Stater and the final moment at the Clinton Presidential Center. There messages were powerful and worthy of repeating.
A full broadcast of the programs will be aired on DAT-C from Dumas in the coming weeks and will be announced here in the Clarion and at www.dat-c.org
