Educational Media Reviews Online

Minnijean Brown Trickey has had a life where she has gone against the trends. She was one of the Little Rock Nine, fighting to integrate Central High School in Arkansas and then turning to social activism as a way of life. Using historical footage, reenactments and interviews, this film tells the story of Minnijean and her work to insure equal rights to all and to teach children to learn about all facets of their history whatever their race or background.

Beginning with the experience of her part in the Little Rock Nine, viewers are introduced to Minnijean's family and learn about her experiences during this period, experiences that were painful as well as enriching. Expelled due to an altercation with a white student, Minnijean moved to New York City to complete high school and then went to Illinois to complete college. Clips from the Charles Guggenheim production Nine from Little Rock are used to illustrate her college years.

The next section of the film focuses on the farm years where Minnijean and her husband adjust to living in Canada and a new way of life. When he was drafted they moved to Canada, eventually settling in Ontario where they set up a farm and raised six children. After the failure of her marriage, she and several of the kids moved back to the city where she became a social activist putting herself and her children in the line of fire protesting the rights of Native Americans and others. She tackled her duties with gusto but still felt fear. Viewers see that fear when they are shown footage of a protest where the police want to separate her from her children. Brown Trickey is wonderful to watch when she interacts with children and young adults, reminding them to remember their history and to fight for their rights. She also notes that "real changes come from ordinary people" not from the rich and famous.

During the anniversary celebration of the integration of Central High School several members of the Little Rock Nine are interviewed and share their stories and experiences, providing a different perspective from their youth. Also shown is a clip from an Oprah Winfrey show where the man who was instrumental in the conflict that got Brown Trickey expelled comes to her and asks for an apology.

When people on the street were asked if they remembered the Little Rock Nine, most didn't. After seeing this film, no one will ever forget Minnijean Brown Trickey. Suitable for high school and university level studies and in public and academic libraries with history, civil rights, women's studies and cultural history collections. Recommended