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Jefferson Thomas was not just a great black athlete, he was also a great black student. And as part of the Little Rock Nine (the first group of students to desegregate public schools), Thomas saw himself risking death by being in the middle of a heated racial controversy.
One of the most interesting experiences Thomas recollected is how many of his white friends could accept him as an athlete, but not as a fellow student:
"One of them said, 'Well I don't mind playing basketball or football with you or anything. You guys are good at sports. Everybody knows that, but you're just not smart enough to sit next to me in the classroom,'" Thomas said.
Thomas' long journey through life ended at the age of 67. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer. He was president of the Little Rock Nine Foundation, representing the students who enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957.
Their decision to enroll changed America forever.
The mere entrance of the students in a predominantly white high school was enough for the governor of the state, Orval Faubus, to send National Guard troops to block the students from entering. In response, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent the Army to override the National Guard.
The situation was contentious enough to nearly set off a civil war, similar to the Emancipation Proclamation nearly 100 years earlier. It is also not unlike the significant resistance President Barack Obama is receiving from many governors who are fighting his initiatives. When it comes to race, America always has been and continues to be quite divided.
Roughly 40 years later, the Little Rock Nine received Congressional Gold Medals for their bravery. The group included the Thomas, LaNier Melba, Patillo Beals, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Terrence Roberts and Thelma Mothershed Wair.
In reference to President Obama's presidential victory, Thomas said that it was like a dream come true:
"This was really the nonviolent revolution," Thomas said. "We went and cast our ballots, and the ballots were counted this time."
The courageous story of the Little Rock Nine is clearly one of the most significant events in our nation's history. It opened the door for black Americans to finally have access to some semblance of a quality education.
Unfortunately, years later, schools in black communities are decimated, crumbling bastions of educational mediocrity. They continue to breed racial division and oppression by refusing to provide necessary access to the basic essentials every child needs for a good education. The federal government should step in once again to correct this imbalance, since our work on racial integration is certainly far from complete.
And the stereotypes that Thomas faced about his genetic lack of intelligence continue to exist today. The stereotype is perpetuated both by many white Americans and also many African American athletes; many black men are quick to throw away their commitment to education in exchange for athletic pursuits, creating a perfect partnership for destruction.
I can't count how many black athletes I've seen through the years who've ruined their lives by focusing only on sports without picking up a book between dribbles of the basketball. Perhaps it's time for us to learn from our history and start to evolve in a productive fashion.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
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By: judi on 9/07/2010 1:58PM
Black people are intelligent whether or not they pick up a book to read or not. I don't need a book to prove to me or anyone else that I am intelligent. Is it right to believe all whites are intelligent whether or not they pick up a book? No one has to get a college degree to prove they are intelligent. The life of college is not for everybody and those for who college is not in their life plans should not worry a lifetime that they are considered unintelligent especially if they are black and or are athletes. Not everyone can afford college. I have had years of higher education and training (thanks to a BLACK School)and have found that even those who have not had this opportunity can be extremely intelligent. I hope my car mechanic remain intelligent without college degrees. I am glad that truck drivers driving on interstates are intelligent especially in poor road conditions with cars weaving in and out in front of them doing stupid things. Bearing up under racial stereotypes is one thing. Trying to rise the above someone else's bias and prejudice against you in order not to perpetuate the irrational senseless hatred of a racist is one of the most foolish and harmful things that you can do to yourself. Strive to be what one who love you and cares for you, the Higher Power, Christ. Not the racist. You will Never live up to the expectations of a racist - that is oxymoron. So many have ruined their lives struggling to out-live the stereotype of those who WANT to hate. The stress of living, thriving, surviving as a black person in this racist world IS ENOUGH!
I give back to the Black school that educated me. When I am EMPLOYED (whatever the education, unemployment rates remain higher for blacks) again I will give again. Black people sought integration to get better education. However, some thought white schools were better simply because it was a white school. When we get away from that attitude, ie that white is better, our now decimated schools (some) will improve.
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By: nianqing3h on 9/07/2010 1:05PM
The courageous story of the Little Rock Nine is clearly one of the most significant events in our nation's history. It opened the door for black Americans to finally have access to some semblance of a quality education. My boyfriend thinks the same with me. He is eight years older than me, lol. We met online at agelessmat e.c om a nice and free place for younger women and older men, or older women and younger men, to interact with each other. Maybe you wanna check out or tell your friends.
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By: judi on 9/07/2010 1:57PM
Black people do not perpetuate stereotypes. They are intelligent people without education, sports, etc. Education prove nothing. Education proves nothing to a racist who has an irrational and senseless hatred of black people, thus, it would be pointless to try to rise above it. It is pointless to try to out-live an irrational "stereotype" imposed against you. Reading a book does not make you intelligent. The root of "stereotypes" and racism is hate.
Blacks have done the best they can to integrate schools yet the burden should not always rest on the black people to integrate. Bus some of those white kids to schools in black communities and see how quickly these schools get funded when the the Federal government steps.
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By: rightorwrong on 9/07/2010 3:22PM
This brave young students paved the way, if though their parents were feaful these young men and women said no segreation had to stop, it's up to you young black men and women to take that challenge again, stop the fighting, go to school, give up the drugs, get and education fight fight back!!! watch the ruby bridges story about this 9 year old little black girl who had the courage to intergrate a school,you can purchase the dvd from amazon.
Dr boyce have you banned some bloggers from blogging on your site? no feedback is given about IT problems.
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By: MD on 9/07/2010 8:02PM
Thank you. I am so sad at the word of your death. I just wanted to thank u for your sacrifaces that u made in history for me.
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By: Michael on 9/16/2010 5:40PM
I second that. RIP and thank you.
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