Arkansas: Honoring Civil Rights History in a Polarized World

Arkansas has a rich history of civil rights, but it often struggles to fully embrace it. In 1968, Governor Winthrop Rockefeller made a bold move. He held a public memorial for Martin Luther King Jr. He was the only Southern governor to do this. This act of unity was powerful. It showed the state's commitment to civil rights. The state has taken some steps forward. It removed Robert E. Lee's name from a holiday honoring King. This was a big deal. It showed that Arkansas was ready to leave behind its Confederate past. Governor Asa Hutchinson played a key role in this change. He pushed for the legislation and even testified in favor of it. Arkansas has also made other symbolic progress. It replaced a statue in the U. S. Capitol with one of Daisy Bates. She was a civil rights leader who helped the Little Rock Nine. This was a big step. It showed the state's commitment to honoring its civil rights heroes.But there have been setbacks too. Efforts to remove Confederate symbols from the state flag failed. A proposal to end Confederate Flag Day also didn't make it through the Senate. These failures show that Arkansas still has a long way to go. The political climate isn't helping. President Donald Trump has defended Confederate symbols. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has also echoed his rhetoric. She signed a law banning critical race theory in schools. This has sparked legal battles and criticism from civil rights groups. Time is running out. Many civil rights leaders are no longer with us. Next year marks 70 years since the Little Rock desegregation crisis. It may be one of the last times to commemorate this event with most of the Little Rock Nine still alive. Arkansas needs to find a way to honor its civil rights history. It should elevate its heroes and acknowledge its past. This is the true test of patriotism. It's not about echoing talking points. It's about embracing a full and honest history.