How teenager who became poster girl for racial intolerance in 1957 eventually became friends with her black classmate... only for them to fall out again years later Infamous photo captured white pupil Hazel Bryan jeering at black classmate Elizabeth Eckford on first day of integration in Little Rock, AR Bryan tried to reconcile relationship and champion integration The pair met and Eckford forgave Bryan in 1997, posed outside school But during interviews about their relationship, their ties broke down Biographer of the women, in their 70s, believes they may reconcile again They even appeared on Oprah, who did not hide her distaste of their friendship. The Supreme Court had declared segregated classrooms unconstitutional in 1954. Little Rock School Board voted to integrate - but Faubus said he feared violence if the races mixed in a public school. In a battle that involved President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Armys 101st Airborne Division were deployed to man the situation. Two sides to a difficult story: A book by author David Margolick looks at how both women dealt with fame in the wake of that photograph that swept the globe Two sides to a difficult story: A book by author David Margolick looks at how both women dealt with fame in the wake of that photograph that swept the globe However, cracks appeared during an interview where Hazel revealed she had never dedicated much thought to the incendiary image of her 15-year-old self - a revelation which shocked and devastated Elizabeth. On September 11, 2001, they spoke for the last time before cutting ties. Meeting both women, now in their 70s, Margolick heard two sides of the story. Hazel Bryan Massery, who still resides in Little Rock decided soon after the incident to read up on her ignorance; she helped black women in broken marriages; studied Martin Luther King Jrs speeches; listened to reports of racially-aggravated attacks on the radio. Elizabeth Eckford, on the other hand, had struggled through deaths and destitution. With enormous courage and resiliency, Elizabeth ultimately made a life for herself and has largely come to peace with her past, Margolick writes. Paradoxically, it’s been Hazel, who has led a life of far greater financial and familial security, who now feels wounded and angry. After leaving school at 17, marrying, and having kids, Hazel was desperate to atone: One day, she realized, her children would learn that that snarling girl in their history books was their mother. She realized she had an account to settle. Aged 20, Hazel called Elizabeth to tearfully apologize, opening the gates for a highly-publicized relationship to form. But it was plagued with issues. Though Hazel helped Elizabeth to work through her issues and find a job, Elizabeth felt uneasy about their relationship and uncertain about Hazels attempts to make up for her bullying. Their posed picture did not betray the awkwardness between them, Margolick explains, and over the years they would struggle when questioned about their new-found friendship. In 1998, an interviewer asked Hazel about the image and she said she never gave it much thought. The reaction, yes. The image wasnt discussed, she claimed. Elizabeth was shocked and expressed her disappointment. Finally, it was Hazel that severed ties as she felt an irreconcilable tension between them. But Margolick suggests it is not over. He writes: Each, I noticed, teared up at references to the other. Perhaps, when no one is looking—or taking any pictures—they’ll yet come together again. And if they can, maybe, so too, can we. Read more: dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2917615/How-teenager-poster-girl-racial-intolerance-1957-eventually-friends-black-classmate-fall-years-later.html#ixzz3PMOwSrqu
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 11:32:20 +0000
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