Вирджиния чтит память учеников, интегрировавших школы в 1959 году

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - September 8 marks Charlottesville Twelve Day, honoring the Black students who integrated Charlottesville City Schools 67 years ago. As part of this year’s commemoration, Charles Alexander, also known as Alex-Zan, spoke with fifth graders at Sunrise Elementary School. Alexander was just seven years old when he helped integrate Venable Elementary School in 1959. Nine members of the Charlottesville Twelve entered Venable, while three others integrated Lane High School. Today, Alexander continues sharing that history with students while encouraging them to think about the impact they can make in their own lives. “When they look in the mirror and when they think of themselves, that I, too, can become the history maker,” Alexander said. “And some things I need to do, maybe change my attitude or how I treat people, or be a little more attentive in school or in class.” For fifth grader Abigail Kammauff, hearing directly from someone who lived through school integration helped put that history into perspective. “A lot of my friends are, like, really different from me,” Kammauff said. “And it’s just cool and nice to be able to go to schools where I can be friends with whoever I want to be friends with.” Charlottesville Twelve Day is observed each September 8, marking the date the students walked into their new schools in 1959. Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.