"There I Was in History"
Please respond to the "There I Was in History" article by 7:00 am on Wednesday morning.
1. Your responses should be at least 200 words.
2. You might consider these questions:
Should Eison have apologized for his actions?
Should he apologize now?
Was he "a product" of his day and time as he claimed? Or should he have known it was a
horrible thing to do, regardless of the time?
He said, "A kid that age, you follow the crowd." Is that true? And so, is he or isn't he
responsible for his actions?
3. Comment on two of your classmates' posts.
1. Your responses should be at least 200 words.
2. You might consider these questions:
Should Eison have apologized for his actions?
Should he apologize now?
Was he "a product" of his day and time as he claimed? Or should he have known it was a
horrible thing to do, regardless of the time?
He said, "A kid that age, you follow the crowd." Is that true? And so, is he or isn't he
responsible for his actions?
3. Comment on two of your classmates' posts.
I feel like Eison was caught up in a mob like mentality. Obviously today he understands what he did was wrong, and he said that in today's world he wouldn’t say those words. I don’t think his apology would mean much today because it wouldn’t change the past. The hateful things Eison did can’t be taken back, and I think he understands that. I think that's why he hasn’t apologized is because his apology would dwarf that of the actions he committed. He acknowledges that he did the things he is shown doing and he doesn’t deny them. Eison seems to know now that those things are not okay to do today. He isn’t sincere in his attempt at an apology but an apology doesn’t erase what he did. An apology right after what he did might have meant something but today it doesn’t mean as much. Eison is in some ways a product of his day, I don’t defend what he did, but it's important to acknowledge that there were lots of people across the south that felt the same way he did. It wasn’t right but that's the way a lot of people felt, they didn’t want black children going to their schools. I don’t agree that he had to follow the crowd though. He could have just as easily stayed in school just like the other 1400 students did. The people that went out for the walkout were the people who felt strongest about their views, that's why only 75 students were out there, opposed to 1500 students.
ReplyDeleteI like how you also talked about the other people who joined Eison in the walkout, and how there were other people who felt the same way he did!
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DeleteTad,
I found it very interesting that you personally did not think that his apology would mean much today. While I agree with you that words can never change the psychological and physical trauma the nine experienced, I do think an apology can mean much for both the victim and perpetrator. From the victims standpoint, just knowing that someone recognizes the trauma they have caused for you and are still reflecting on it years in the future I think could mean a lot. I think a lot about popular cases in both the MeToo Movement and the racial equality movements where while the traumatizing effects can never be erased, just knowing someone hears you and is trying to understand and restore some of the damage done is very powerful. From the perpetrators viewpoint I think an apology can be tremendously beneficial as well. Just them accepting and coming to terms and stating out loud what they did can be very eye opening. A lot of times until you reflect on the damage you personally have done it is easy to make excuses or blame it on the ideas of the time period. Also, apologizing and trying to make amends I think can often release some of the guilty and help perpetrators move onto the next chapter of their life. This is just my personal stance and I do see your viewpoint that an apology doesn't fix anything, but, I do think it can be used to start a journey of healing on both parts.
I can't agree with you anymore! I really liked what you had to say about how Eisons apology wouldn't do much, and how nothing can change what he did in the past. I think that those are two very main points and I liked what you had to say about them. -Ellen V
Delete"He acknowledges that he did the things he is shown doing and he doesn’t deny them."
DeleteSure, he doesn't deny them, but he denies everything that actually involves him taking responsibility for them. I don't give him much credit for saying that the things (which he was explicitly filmed doing and physically cannot deny) happened.
Good discussion---Tad, for getting the conversation started and thoughtful responses from those of you who responded to Tad.
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DeleteIn my opinion think he should apologize for what we did but at the same time he shouldn't. I don't think his apology would mean that much knowing that we wouldn't say what he did was wrong. People wouldn't take it seriously and he most likely wouldn't mean it. If he was actually going to be honest and say stuff that he would actually mean people would take it seriously and not as a joke. Adding to that I don't think he should of apologized for it when it happened. I think he willing put himself in that situation and meant even action he did and didn't regret it. Its sort of a hard call though because he could apologize just to make other people happy that what he did was wrong and he's admitting to it but it probably wouldn't be very apologetic and or he would just be doing so people could people could hear him say what he did was wrong . He did what we did because his friends were doing and he wasn't not going to do it. He went with his friends bad decisions and followed to crowd and no one made him to do. In those situations no one makes you do something they can talk you into it but you don't have to follow up on it. I think he is responsible for his actions because he didn't have to walk out he could of stayed inside but he made that decision himself and now he has to deal with that impact that it left on him. It would of been a different situation if he hadn't done what he had done. A lot of people "go with the crowd" weather they want to or not so I think that statement is very true.
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting when you said "he could apologize just to make other people happy..." that line was very strong and truthful and I liked your train of thought!
DeleteLizzie,
DeleteThere were a few things I had some confusion on. You say, “ I don't think his apology would mean that much knowing that we wouldn't say what he did was wrong”. Who are the we, and what do you mean they wouldn’t say what he did was wrong. I personally think that for many people they would consider what he did to be wrong and something he should feel regret about, but maybe that is just me. I thought your point about him “apologizing just to make other people happy” was very interesting. While I think he could apologize to please the public and fix the image that comes to mind about him after reading this article, I think he should make people happy. Whether or not he truly feels regret, I think in some aspect a member of the nine might feel encouraged to think someone feels regret for their actions. On one hand, I agree that you should not apologize if you do not mean it, but on the other hand I think sometimes an apology can still be used for healing even if it is insincere. Lastly, I thought your stance on people going with public opinion was interesting. While I do think it is easy to get swept up by the emotions and tone of those around you, I disagree that “A lot of people ‘go with the crowd’ weather they want to or not”. I think you always have a choice to follow popular opinion and I think that belief that you don’t is very dangerous as it can easily be used as an excuse for people’s bad behavior. I think of the saying, “If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?”. I think oftentimes that idea that you can’t control the urge to follow popular belief is what makes the mob mentality so dangerous. Overall, I thought you made some really interesting points that made me really think about my own beliefs and it was a good experience to see opinions differing from my own.
DeleteLizzy,
I agreed that his apology probably wouldn’t mean a whole lot now and I also agreed when you said, “no one makes you do something”. I felt that that was a very strong line that can be applied to everyone’s life at some point. No one can make you do anything you don’t already want to do. I do however feel as though Eison was swept up into the crowd mentality and I feel like he didn’t want to be ostracised by his peers on some level. I think he felt as though if he joined the crowd he wouldn’t be cast out or have any of the anger of his fellow students turned to him. And that, to me at least, is a very normal feeling to have. Nobody wants to be ostracized or bullied and I think that’s one reason he followed the crowd. -----Seraphyn Payne
Interesting posts and comments. I think Eison's stance might be based on a hard-headed belief and pride. Sure, when people apologize, they should mean it--or it rings hollow. But I like the point that Hanna has been making that an apology goes a long way for the victim in that it helps to know that the perpetrator is still thinking about a wrongful action many years later.
DeleteI don't agree that he should apologise to make other people happy i feel that he should apologize because he feels as though it is the right thing to do. other wise it is not really an apology...
DeleteI think that what Eison did was not okay, but the fact that he could never own up to what he did frustrates me. I think that Eison also has a very good understanding of what he did in the past and how he tried to purposely ruin nine kids' lives, and make school living hell for them. I don’t agree with his actions from his past but times have changed, and if he can’t accept what he did to these innocent people now then he never will and there’s nothing that anyone or anything can do to change his opinion about it, and that's the sad part. I strongly think that in the past what Eison did was not okay and I still don’t think it's okay now, but I think that Eison should apologize. Obviously an apology won’t fix everything but it will show people that you accept what you did and want to leave what's in the past, in the past. This simple action seems to be too much for Eison, and for that I shall still be frustrated by his actions, and simply never gain respect for this human. I believe that everyone is given oppurtunities to change who they were, and to become a better person regardless of the past. Eison took that for granted.
ReplyDeletePlease sign your blog post (so I know to whom I should give credit).
Delete-Ellen V ^^^
DeleteI agree with this. I think its really important to know that he's ok with his actions and that he won't take them back.
DeleteEllen,
DeleteI agree with you too. I think Eison was very aware of his intentions back in 1957, and all of the cruelty he and his buddies at Central High must have inflicted on the Nine, and remains so. I do also agree that Eison may be solid in his feelings, and that perhaps his opinion, as you say, will never be changed, but I would hope that such a thing is possible, and that we can all make some sort of progress, no matter where and when we came from!
Ellen, I like your comment that this simple action seems to be even too much for Eison. It's sad that he is that small of a person.
DeleteEllen,
DeleteI agree with you that Eisons was very aware of his actions and understood the pain he caused. And I also agree that an apology wouldn't do anything to fix what happened, because the damage is already done.
For one to answer whether or not Eison should apologize now for his behavior, they would have to know whether or not he truly felt sorry for his actions. While he does say he would not say the same things today, he never truly states whether his opinions have changed–just that he is embarrassed he shared his voice in the public light. If his opinion and stance on integration has changed then I think he should outrightly state that and make it more clear. Personally, however, while I do think he is disappointed in his behavior and his language in the presence of the media after reading the article I did not feel he was sincerely sorry for the way he felt or his negative emotions towards the Little Rock Nine.
ReplyDeleteOne reason I believe this is because instead of outrightly saying something like “I made a mistake and made a comment fueled by racism and bigotry” he makes excuses for his behavior and in some sense seems to try to justify it. One of the ways is by claiming it was a result of peer pressure and following the opinions of the time period. While I feel one can never truly disregard this excuse without living in a situation where the common belief is one fueled out of hate, for him especially I think it was more than that. While his friends and the media might have been encouraging these ideas, in his own family his grandma and father pushed him to be more accepting of desegregation laws. So, I think while his opinions might have been shaped by those around him, he unlike others in the south was also exposed to ideas encouraging or supporting desegregation.
In the end I think the biggest thing this all comes down to is pride. He does not want to admit that maybe his thought process which he shared with many of his friends was very ugly. I think especially being a part of this dark period of history, he feels almost exposed. In order to protect his ego, he chooses not to recognize and accept that the person he was in the past was not a good person. While I do think the environment one grows up in can tend to have an effect on their personal beliefs, I think there are numerous examples where people broke through societal expectations or standards in order to stand by their own personal beliefs and values.
Hanna,
DeleteI agree with you, I think that Mr. Eison seems to delicately skirt around any sort of apology. I would think that perhaps the apology would not mean a lot given what he has done, and how belated it would be, but it would mean something, which is obviously more that what he is striving for. I think pride is certainly a big element in this story as you said, and wish that I had observed this as you did! Nice job!
Very thoughtful comment, Hanna. I like this point: One reason I believe this is because instead of outrightly saying something like “I made a mistake and made a comment fueled by racism and bigotry” he makes excuses for his behavior and in some sense seems to try to justify it. So true. He could have made it clear, but he took a very vague and easy way out.
DeleteHanna, I agree with you, I think an apology from Eison without remorse is meaningless and as you said, embarrassing. This absolutely comes down to an instance of pride. Eison not wanting to admit what he did and instead, blame his actions on his friends is shameful. Though I also agree you on becoming a better person now, the only way Eison can truly do that is if he confronts the person he was and the awful things he did in the past.
DeleteFor me I feel like Eison should've apologized for what he said and the actions he took back when it happened. But if he were to apologize today I feel like it wouldn't have a lot of meaning and sympathy, because he stated that only weak people apologize, implying that he wasn't weak. But I disagree with that because in some ways Eison is weak. He caved under peer pressure and went along with everything if maybe he didn't agree with it. He didn't have the strength to stand up for himself even if he wanted to. Also if he had apologized right then and there for his actions he would've been so courageous, because there probably would've been some back lash from his friends who also participated, and he would've had to deal with that on his own. But even if he was a kid back then, he still should have known that it's wrong to say stuff like that, and it's wrong to hurt people emotionally and physically. So I believe what Eison did was wrong, but I also believe that him apologizing today would not do justice.
ReplyDeleteI really like this post I think it sums up what alot of people are trying to say.
DeleteI think that Eison is weak in a lot of ways. I really don't think anything could ever fix what hes done in the past. I really do agree with you on the main point that Eison is in the wrong here. I also really liked how you looked a both perspectives. -Ellen V
DeleteI think your point about Eison being weak is very good. I think this is who he is (weak). But to apologize, in his mind, is what makes him weak.
DeleteJade,
DeleteI agree with you that an apology today from Eison wouldn't mean much, but an apology back then would have made a huge difference. If he had apologized he may have gotten some of his friends to stop doing what they were doing. I agree that Eison was weak and that's why he has never apologized.
Jade,
DeleteI agree with you, in order for his apology to be meaningful, he truly needs to feel sorry. Otherwise, his words are empty. I also think that in some ways, Eison is weak. Weak for not recognizing what he did was wrong, and having the strength to come back from it a better person. Now, it seems as though he's doing whatever he can to avoid the blame, which ultimately is worse than simply owning up to his past mistakes and coming out the better person.
I agree it shows that he has remorse for what happened, even though it will never make up for what he said.
DeleteI think Eison is correct in his philosophy. An apology might not mean a lot now, but I’d like to think that he would give one if someone asked him for a simple, “Sorry.” However, I’m very unsure that he would. Someone who justifies actions like this for being a “product of my day”, probably doesn’t feel enough remorse. I also am hesitant to trust that anyone posed at such an extreme could find themselves on the opposite side (in this case, clean of bigotry and bias), even if there is a forty year transition between the two. I’m certain that I am wrong about this sort of thing sometimes, and I really hope I am. However, Eison doesn’t even state that he has left his racist thoughts and actions behind him, which makes me wonder… How would he act if segregation were somehow reintroduced to his highschool and childhood home? Would he mourn and agitate for change? Again, I truly doubt it. Eison admits that he grew up with “everything, parents at home, our house had beautiful antiques and a maid.” It seems to me that Eison is (or was, he’d probably be pretty old now...) another privileged white southerner of his time. And I fear that the only real anguish he has felt was for the day when his own status and class were secure in being above those of another race. Now this sounds a bit more harsh than I intended, but I do feel that there are elements of truth about this and that they show through in the report.
ReplyDeleteHoly wow! I just realized how bad my first line looks out of the context (I think I meant to put a comma instead of a period there)!!
DeleteOlivia,
DeleteI really appreciated your post. You focused on his place in society now, following up with the mentality he had in his younger years. I thought that was interesting because does that type of hatred truly ever fade? It was also interesting how you said, “An apology might not mean a lot now, but I’d like to think that he would give one if someone asked him for a simple, “Sorry.” However, I’m very unsure that he would”. I agreed with that because, considering the fact he thinks people who make statements and the apologies are weak, he probably won’t apologize for his actions. –––Seraphyn Payne
Olivia, I like your question, wondering if he ever left his hatred and bigotry behind (even 40 years later in 1997). It doesn't seem that he has, does it?
DeleteEison is a man who is incapable of reflection. Obviously an apology can't really fix anything, and would have been too late for much of anyone to care about it anyways. But it would indicate an ability to reflect on his own past and his own flawed life, without dodging responsibility. Blaming it on his upbringing, young age, and peer pressure would ring less hollow if he actually been strong enough condemn his own past self and condemn his own actions. He says "Even if I felt that way, I wouldn't lower myself to say something that crude". All that he acknowledges as wrong is his crudeness, not his (supposedly) former beliefs themselves, which he then goes on to rationalize incessantly.
ReplyDeleteHe claims desegregation "challenged a way of life". But it wouldn't have challenged his position of wealth, or his "beautiful middle-class existence". All it would have challenged is his ability to romanticize the perfect Confederate past that never existed. It would have forced him to reflect on that history, to question the "Old South", something which he will never do.
Then, after rationalizing and excusing his racism, he goes on to say that he was simply peer pressured into it. Peer pressured into attending a walkout of 75 people, and peer pressured into saying obscenely racist things on camera. He was just carried away by the excitement. The amount of excuses and tricks Eison uses to deny any personal responsibility or culpability for his actions 40 years ago is unreal.
This is a great line, Ryan: The amount of excuses and tricks Eison uses to deny any personal responsibility or culpability for his actions 40 years ago is unreal.
DeleteVery thoughtful post.
Seraphyn Payne-
ReplyDeleteI feel like Eison has a point in some regards. He was a product of his generation, a product of the hate filled era he happened to live in. Eison was certainly not correct in his ways of thinking because, as even he acknowledges, “‘I didn’t know anything about blacks… I didn’t know anything about their history, what they had achieved or not achieved.’” I personally feel like it’s very easy to label something you don’t know or understand as “bad” and that is what he did. Since we have the knowledge of, “yes, this is a bad thing that happened”, we are very quick to write his situation off as, “he knew what he was doing” and sometimes, I wonder if we realize just how different it was then. This was normal and, not saying it was good or right, because it certainly was not, it was their normal way of thinking. The majority of white folks were either against segregating or sitting back and watching these children be harassed and tortured just to get a better education. The two are equally as bad.
Eison’s feelings towards the protest lead me to believe he doesn’t truly feel apologetic for what he did. He simply says, “‘ Of course, this is something I wouldn’t say today, I assure you’”. To me, he has come to terms with the situation and acknowledged the things he said then were not right. Should he have made a public apology? At the time, yes, he should have apologized for his actions and acknowledged his role in the fiasco. Now, however? Would it mean anything for him to apologize? Would it feel like a forced apology, written out to clear his name in the eyes of the people? I feel like an apology from him now would mean absolutely nothing. It might do something to fix the pain and trauma the 9 went through but I think that it would not mean as much as it would have if he had not participated at all or even apologised sooner.
Seraphyn Payne-
Good post, Seraphyn. I like that you pointed out that folks were either actively participating in harassing these children----or sitting back and watching. Both were equally bad. It points at the whole bystander issue.
DeleteEison “followed the crowd” by stating that he wished a real African American were being taunted, played with, and tortured by a group of violently racist segregationists. An apology from Eison would be ultimately meaningless if his only incentive for making an apology during these modern times would be to satisfy the media and popular demand of the 21st century. Eison initially claimed he “followed the crowd” back then, so what is inhibiting him from “following the crowd” now? Surely, he blames the crowd for his actions. But should he make an apology for his actions if he doesn’t truly regret what he’s done? That would be pressuring him to feel sorry for something terrible that perhaps he doesn’t even regret doing. Would this apology simply be a result of the pressures our modern society forces onto him, or would it be deemed genuine? Eison should only make an apology if he’s sorry, and since he blames other people for how he acted, it seems like he doesn’t truly have feelings of deep regret. Only regret for getting caught. Eison shouldn’t apologize for something he doesn’t regret, an apology absent of remorse is disrespectful and shameful. Since Eison can’t decide whether it’s guilt or fear he feels in response to being caught in the midst of such a shameful act, until he comes to a conclusion, his apology is insignificant. Until that happens, I’m certain that Eison deserves that
ReplyDelete“ounce of fame”—and everything that comes with it. Maybe he’ll come to a decision on his way down to hell.
Well, I'm not going to judge whether he is going to hell or not and whether such a place exists, but I really like what you said here: Only regret for getting caught.
DeleteI think with many people, all they regret is getting caught---and that also feels weak.
I feel that Eison should have apologized a long time ago. Even in his older age he is still refusing to apologize for the hideous act of hatred and it is honestly despicable. His whole idea of trying to justify what he did “I was a product of my day and time, and I was acting from my early upbringing”(pg1). To me this line doesn't make sense, he may have been raised a certain way but he was the one who acted out shouting racist threats. He chose to do these unspeakable things. How can you blame your upbringing for making you shout “Oh, if that were only a real one.” If Eison truly believes this then he himself is what's wrong with the world. The fact that he claims that it is weak to apologize for something is astonishing to me, I feel that he is truly weak for saying that. When Eison made the comment about being young and impressionable."A kid that age, you follow the crowd." Keep in mind Eison is 17 years old at the time of this, I would assume being 17 he would have enough common sense not to follow others and to make decisions on his own. This shows that he made a decision to follow them, he made the decision to shout racist threats, it was all his decisions that lead to his situation. Eison is a guilty man and I hope his conscience catches up with him someday.
ReplyDeleteAt the time he probably could have apologized, but I do not think that it would have meant much to the other kids. Honestly I think it would be too late now to apologize because the trauma from this will still be with them and I think it would not help very much. Anything he says now won’t be able to change what had happened in the past. At that time I felt like he should have known something was wrong, but since so many people did not want integration he probably thought he was doing the right thing. Obviously now he knows what he did was wrong and says in today's world he would not say those words even if he felt that way. I feel like even a kid at that age should know when something is getting out of hand, but I also think that he was influenced by the people around him so he did the same things as them. I think he is definitely responsible for his actions.
ReplyDeleteGood observations, Devon. I like your mention about trauma.
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