Arkansas - June 15, 1836

The only time I was in Arkansas was in the summer of 1997 when I drove through it on the way from Texas to Massachusetts. I don't think we even stopped there for any length of time. I do know that we drove through Hope, Arkansas, hometown of then-president Bill Clinton. My Godmother moved to Arkansas from Indiana a few years ago, but I have not been to visit her there.

I am going to go out on a limb and declare Inbred, Redneck Alien Abduction to be the worst movie reviewed for this blog, even though I am less than halfway through the year's celebrations. I didn't really expect it to be an especially sophisticated film, but I guess I did expect some kind of entertaining romp. Instead it is simply a very bad, low-budget movie that perpetuates backwards stereotypes  of sex-crazed hillbillies. James told my father that the best thing about this movie was that although the envelope said that the movie was 2 hours long, it was really only 90 minutes. We were very glad to see the credits roll.

The Power of One: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine by Dennis and Judith Fradin is a well-researched book about the integration of Central High in Little Rock in 1957. Nine black students under the mentorship of NAACP President Daisy Bates entered the school in late September, escorted by federal troops after previously being denied entrance by the Arkansas National Guard, under the direction of Governor Faubus. Once they enrolled in the school and started classes the students were constantly harassed and victimized, often while members of the National Guard looked on. Primary documents including photographs, newspaper clippings, and letters enhance this work which was intended for middle school students.

We are deferring our Arkansas dining experience until we return from our vacation next week. Look for a supplemental post.