Page 9 - Demo

The most troubling aspect of the plan was that, even though Glass was desegregated, it was not open to any African American students who wanted to attend.
For the time being, then, the “grade-a-year” plan remained in
place as did most of the city’s student body. The most troubling aspect of
the plan was that, even though Glass was desegregated, it was not open to any African American students who wanted to attend. Black students still had to apply for transfer to the white schools and that transfer had to be approved by the PPB [Pupil Placement Board] in Richmond. The application process meant names of both students and their parents were published in
the Lynchburg papers. Now, however, the papers also published the parents’ place of employment, placing an added burden on an already difficult decision. In the summer of 1962, twenty-two students applied for transfer but only twelve received official approval from the school board and the PPB. Clearly, Lynchburg blacks did not yet truly have the freedom to choose education for their children.
Reverend Virgil Wood presses for complete desegregation. February 14, 1962.
The Dunbar Debate
The city’s biggest stumbling block proved to be Dunbar. Desegregation in Lynchburg was never a two-way street. No whites ever applied for transfer to Dunbar due to its lack of
adequate facilities and instructors as well as the number of classes available. Desegregation, albeit token, occurred only at E.C. Glass and only among the student body. Faculty desegregation,
a vital need for the newly integrated African American student body, was not Tyet a serious consideration.
oken desegregation, it appeared, was working to appease a majority of the city’s population, black and white. Black teachers,
administrators, and coaches could retain their jobs, academically qualified black students had a better education available, white students did not feel threatened by large numbers of black students, and white parents did not have to worry about black teachers instructing or black students harassing their children.
For others, however, token desegregation failed miserably. Many black students who desired a better education did not have access to
Judge Michie confers in chambers with city school officials and defense counsel during desegregation hearing, November 15, 1961. L-r: Attorney S. Bolling Hobbs; E.C. Glass Principal L. H. McCue, Jr.; School Board Chairman Duncan C. Kennedy, Jr.; Attorney A. B. Scott and City Attorney C. Shepherd Nowlin.
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COURTESY OF THE NEWS & ADVANCE
COURTESY OF THE NEWS & ADVANCE