Answer:
in explanation
Explanation:
Carlotta Walls LaNier’s book, A Mighty Long Way, begins with a simple and powerful premise: that education is priceless; and ends with an equally powerful conclusion: that every individual has the power to make a difference. When Carlotta Walls LaNier’s teacher passed around a sign-up sheet for those who wished to attend the previously all-white Little Rock Central High School, which had achieved a reputation as one of the best high schools in the nation, LaNier signed her name without hesitation. She simply desired the best education possible. She never imagined the violent outburst of hatred and intolerance which would come from members of the American South angered by the Supreme Court ruling that deemed segregation unconstitutional. In giving voice to the story of her decision to be one of the first students to participate in the desegregation of American schools, LaNier demonstrates the power and potential of a single individual.
Serving as both a personal story and a cultural document, A Mighty Long Way brings history to life, allowing students to consider a first-hand account of one of the most important events in American history and the ongoing pursuit of civil rights and equality.
LaNier’s story is more than the story of a single young girl’s courageous perseverance in the face of adversity; it is also the story of the America we now inhabit, and the America we hope to have in the future. The guide which follows presents suggestions for using the book in a variety of classroom settings, and features teaching ideas which provide jumping off-points for consideration, ideas for discussion and essays, key terms and figures referenced in the text, and suggestions for further reading. Most importantly, while LaNier recounts events that happened over half a century ago, students will be encouraged to consider how her story speaks to them, personally, and what it has to offer today.
