Little Rock 9 member Jefferson Thomas dies in Ohio
 | FILE - Jefferson Thomas in 1957, one of nine African American who integrated Little Rock Central High School while federal troops patrolled the campus, is seen in an 1957 file photo. Jefferson Thomas died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio, said fellow Little Rock Nine member Minnijean Trickey Brown. He was 68. (AP Photo, File) |
By Tom ParsonsAssociated Press Writer / September 6, 2010
Text size – +
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Jefferson Thomas was fast and athletic and often played pickup basketball with white students while growing up in Little Rock in the 1950s.
But when Thomas became one of nine black students to integrate Arkansas' largest high school, many of his basketball buddies weren't happy to see him in their classes.
"One of them said, 'Well I don't mind playing basketball or football with you or anything. You guys are good at sports.
LATEST EDUCATION NEWS WIRE UPDATES
- RI man accused in attack on parents faces court (AP, 7:28 a.m.)
- Commuters walloped by strikes in France, London (AP, 10:49 a.m.)
- Tenn teacher accused of holding teens at gunpoint (AP, 9/6/10)
- Colleges buy land they don't know how they'll use (AP, 9/6/10)
- RI man accused in attack on parents faces court (AP, 9/6/10)
LATEST K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
- NH school board settles with ex administrator (AP, 10:38 a.m.)
- French unions launch strike over pension overhaul (AP, 9/6/10)
- Little Rock 9 member Jefferson Thomas dies in Ohio(AP, 9/6/10)
- Conn. seeks education grant to help teen parents (AP, 9/6/10)
- Maine gov campaign enters home stretch (AP, 9/6/10)
LATEST HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS
- Student gardens provide food for mind, body (Boston Globe, 9/6/10)
- UMass geologist helping prepare for Mars missions(AP, 9/6/10)
- Future hiring will mainly benefit the high-skilled (AP, 9/5/10)
- Future hiring will mainly benefit the high-skilled (AP, 9/5/10)
- Racial violence changes student -- and school (AP, 9/5/10)
