Seven black students recall braving the racist crowds who protested their transfer to Mount Greenwood school in '68
For six months, Steven Palmore had to walk past people screaming "n - - - - - - go home" to get to his classroom. It was the kind of chaos that greeted black students who integrated all-white schools in the South.
But Palmore and five other black students -- one other boy and five girls -- weren't in the South. They were in Mount Greenwood on the Far South Side of Chicago.
The year was 1968. The school was Mount Greenwood Elementary School.
"The people who were outside picketing, they could have been out there until hell froze over," Palmore said Friday. "They could still be out there now. I was going to get into Morgan Park band whatever it took. As far as somebody standing out there yelling and screaming, I wasn't going to let that stop me."
'Who are these people?'
It has been 40 years since the seven crossed racial boundaries to integrate Mount Greenwood Elementary School, and 36 years since they've been together.
Palmore is now a jazz musician living in Queens, N.Y. His band performed at the Maywood Jazz Festival on Saturday afternoon, and he persuaded his former classmates to use the occasion to have a reunion.
Besides Palmore, the "Mount Greenwood Seven" are Omar Hester, a theatrical performer in Amsterdam; Deborah Hunter-Russell, a project manager with AT&T in Dallas; Toni Lewis-Anderson, a cardiovascular metabolic specialist in Munster, Ind.; Adrienne Shumac-Thompson, an orchestra teacher in Atlanta; Janis Weatherall-Clark, a retired special education teacher in Chicago, and Nancy Ward Wysinger, an accountant in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, the group sat around a picnic table in Maywood's Veterans Memorial Park and shared photographs and hugs.
But mostly, they looked back on the role they played in integrating public education on the South Side.
Under the Chicago Board of Education's "permissive transfer plan," black students who attended overcrowded schools in their own neighborhoods were allowed to transfer to schools outside of their district.
All of the former students said they took advantage of the transfer plan to leave the all-black Fernwood Elementary School so they could get into Morgan Park High School, which had a reputation as a very good high school.
"When we drove up, there was a sea of people," Anderson said. "We were naive. We thought we were just transferring. All you could see were picket signs. I saw all of these people, and I remember distinctly turning to my mom and asking: 'Who are these people?' "
At one point, 104 Chicago Police officers guarded the students as they went in and out of Mount Greenwood Elementary School.
On Feb. 2, 1968, the Chicago Daily News described the scene outside Mount Greenwood as being "reminiscent of the integration of schools in Little Rock."
"The people went berserk," Wysinger recalls.
In rain, sleet and snow, the crowd, made up mostly of women pushing baby strollers, kept picketing until the black students graduated.
While the other students were paired, Wysinger remembers being the only black girl in the class.
"I was probably very fearful, but I didn't want to disappoint my family. I didn't want to reflect poorly on my community," she said. "During that time, you represented black folks everywhere."
The most shocking revelation for the seven was the pristine condition of their new school.
Looking back, Hester marvels at the courage of white students who reached out to them.
"They lived in the area, and they had to go home," he said.
'We were determined'
Several of the former Mount Greenwood students said they now realize how brave their parents were. "It is hard to imagine. I don't know if I could do that to my son," Hunter-Russell said. "But our parents didn't make us do it. It was our decision, and we were determined to get through it in order to get to Morgan Park."
Palmore says the experiences shared by the Mount Greenwood Seven have lessons relevant to students today.
"The younger generation takes education for granted," he said.
As 13-year-olds, the Mount Greenwood Seven were willing to take the verbal abuse and insults to get a better education.
In the end, the trauma they endured at the hands of prejudiced whites was worth it, they said.
"We could have easily said no, but we wanted to go to Morgan Park," Hester said. "That was our ultimate goal, and we stuck it out."
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
July 17, 2008
I have read the newspaper articles regarding the Mt Greenwood Seven. I saddens me that a “ journalist” from the Chicago Sun Times has made the racist assumption that all of Mt Greenwood and Mt Greenwood School is racist. Ms Mitchell’s unprofessional and race-baiting tactics used to manipulate a story for the sensationalism and selling of newspapers is appalling. She missed the real story and tried to set the clock back to a time when racial tensions and segregation was festering throughout our country.
First, I would like to thank the Mt Greenwood Seven for their bravery and braking racial barriers in an era that hatred and fear were rampant. I am sure they were not feeling brave at the time, but they were brave. I, only being a small child when this occurred, cannot fully appreciate what they went through. The fact that I cannot understand it speaks volumes to the positive outcome that came from a few regular students. I am proud of our school and the many races, religions and social backgrounds that our students and staff bring to it. We do not tolerate racism in our school. We embrace our differences and share in our common ground in giving and getting a good education. The message to our students is that they can have an impact on society. These handful of students were apart changing America and its views. They should be commended, remembered and honored.
As to the experience that the Mt Greenwood Seven had when they returned 40 years later, there was no announcement that they were coming and when. The week prior my daughter took two messages from the SunTimes that they called. No one left a name or number. I assumed it was telemarketing for subscriptions. At this point I am assuming Ms Mitchell wanted a comment from me on the return of these historic students to our school. Did Ms Mitchell call area neighbors to get their reactions? Did she set this up? Did she race-bait to get a story? The mark of hatred on the building was wet. Who put it there? With the varying races at our school already, I question where these hateful remarks and marks came from. No student or staff member has ever experienced this hatred from our neighbors. Why did it happen now? What prompted it? Who prompted it? The Sun Times should be ashamed of allowing this type of “journalism”. To the Mt Greenwood Seven I apologize for your poor experience at the return to our school. Be assured that no student, staff or parent feels any hatred, racism or anger towards you. In fact, we are quite proud of each of you. I am sorry also that the Sun Times twisted your story of bravery, change and hope for our future into race baiting propaganda. Mount Greenwood School and community grew from the experiences 40 years ago and will not be dragged back due to irresponsible “journalism”.
Jennifer Lucid
Mount Greenwood School LSC Chair
Ms Lucid is the one who is twisting the story,Not Mary Mitchell I am one of the Mt.Greenwood seven.The mark of hatred on the school was not wet,I know because I'm the one who took the picture of it,and I touched it!A former student of Mt Greenwood has also sent in a blog saying that it had been there since 2006! Mary Mitchell is not race baiting,as a matter of fact she didn't even know about the Mt Greenwood seven coming together for a reuion until two days before we had it. I know because I'm the one who told her about it and invited her to attend. Jennifer Luicd is lying,and as one of the Mt.Greenwood seven,I do not accept or want her apology. Steven Palmore ( one of the Mt.Greenwood seven)
Ms Lucid is the one who is twisting the story,Not Mary Mitchell I am one of the Mt.Greenwood seven.The mark of hatred on the school was not wet,I know because I'm the one who took the picture of it,and I touched it!A former student of Mt Greenwood has also sent in a blog saying that it had been there since 2006! Mary Mitchell is not race baiting,as a matter of fact she didn't even know about the Mt Greenwood seven coming together for a reuion until two days before we had it. I know because I'm the one who told her about it and invited her to attend. Jennifer Luicd is lying,and as one of the Mt.Greenwood seven,I do not accept or want her apology. Steven Palmore ( one of the Mt.Greenwood seven)
As a member of the Mt.Greenwood seven ,I know for fact that Ms.Lucid's statements are NOT TRUE! Mary Mitchell is not race baiting.Mary Mitchell did not even know about the Mt.Greenwood seven reuion until two days before it occured. I know, because I'm the one who invited her to it! The hateful remarks came from two little A_ _ hole punk teenageers who had no business butting into my business,and were sitting on the steps of a house across the street. The hate sign was not wet,(I know because I touched it).I am also the one who took a picture of it. Ms.Mitchell's story is correct .And to Ms. Lucid ( whose depiction is incorrect) As a member of the Mt.Greenwood seven .Your crocodile tear apology is NOT ACCEPTED!
It never seems to amaze me how Ms. Lucid and others like her always try to blame the media and/or journalist when there racist neighborhoods are exposed. I am simply apalled by the insinuation that the media had something to do with the swastika being painted on that school. I suppose the sun times also paid the hecklers (who probably are PARENTS of children at the school)to harass the former students for a newspaper story. I am sorry Ms. Lucid but Mt. Greenwood for the most part is not very welcoming of African-Americans moving into the neighborhood. It is well known that while community is full of police officers and firefighters, few if any are African American.
Also, I find it very amusing that Ms. Lucid says that the races at the school vary. Mt. Greenwood is 94% white. I'm sorry but that number does not scream integrated school.
So Ms. Lucid you can name call Ms. Mitchell all you want, but the cold hard truth is Mt. Greenwood is a racist community, and unfortunately the small group that heckled the former students are not the only residents with these feelings.
southsider
I found Mary's coverage of the Mount Greenwood 7 to be very informative, and one of the main ideas that I clearly understood from her articles is how for some people, their attitudes or perceptions of others who don't fix their perfect socioeconomical or racial checklist doesn't change. For those seven students in 1968, it was the strongest desire to take advantage of the best educational opportunities that were lacking from their own neighborhood schools. That reality is still a major dilemna today at CPS, and the Majority-to-Minority Transfer Program is one way the top brass at Clark Street has endorsed as a plan to address this situation. Since 1968 was a very turbulent year, I sincerely believed that IF ANY OF THOSE STUDENTS were 100% living up to the expected stereotype of a black student having a serious lackadaisical attitude towards academics that were also accompanied with a barrage of discipline problems, the principal would have signed their transfers to leave Mount Greenwood faster than they would have signed a petty cash check for school funds. Those students had a very strong understanding that they were there to take care of their business, and that was to receive ALL of the benefits that a successful educational environment would provide for them as they were making a transition to high school. As much as many residents and parents who live in Mount Greenwood want and expect a neighborhood school to maintain excellent standards for their children, that SAME concept isn't lost for those who live in lower economic areas. For that concerned parent or guardian from Englewood, Roseland, or South Shore who does "get it", but know they can't afford private school tuition or recognize that they can't wait for their immediate neighborhood school to institute drastic changes for improvement, this is why they will take a chance to enroll their child in a school that is located beyond their present residential area. They have the same vision today as the parents of the Mount Greenwood Seven had in 1968.
It was good to read the July 20th comments from Catherine Deitelhoff-Reidy, the current principal of Mount Greenwood. While the school has no control of the reaction from the group of white males across the street once the Mount Greenwood Seven arrived on that particular day, this situation still has merit for valuable teaching moments for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. How about considering extending an invitation to any of the Mount Greenwood Seven to come and speak to the current student population? Oral history presentations have always been an effective instructional strategy that would be beneficial in meeting the social science and history objectives of the curriculum.
In strengthening school pride by making connections from the past to the present, how about having any of the seven speak to the students about how their educational opportunities or experiences as a student of Mount Greenwood enabled them to have successful careers? Their presence would not only continue to motivate the current African American student population, but it will also provide authentic opportunities for those students who may or do have very limited interactions with other ethnicities that primarily don't reside in their own neighborhoods. These suggestions are options that are worthy of consideration.
Mary, I have a suggestion for you as a possible new follow up to your articles. How about hearing from those students who were graduates from the Class of 1968? Did any of the white students reach out and establish friendships with any of the MG7? Were there others who just stayed to themselves and ignored them as if they didn't exist? Did they agree or disagree with their parents or neighbors that opposed the MG7 from attending their school? Do they recall situations where the faculty and staff members treated the MG7 unfairly or did they try to make them feel welcome and were supportive in a new environment? What did they learn from any of the MG7 as their classmates? Were their graduation activities and ceremony pleasant experiences? Are there any faculty and staff members from 1968 who have any recollections they would like to share? These are just a few of the questions that came to my mind as I read your articles along with the commentary pertaining to this subject.
For those individuals who made the choice to harass these seven people on that particular day, they missed out on a valuable learning experience for themselves. Considering how each of the Mount Greenwood Seven has prospered as adults, these would be the kind of individuals a stable residential community would welcome as potential residents or as alumni participating by bringing forth valuable resources to their school community. Chicago in many ways still has a long way to go.
Splendid, for Mary Mitchell's sake, lets turn back the clock and all live 40 years ago...again...in the past. Rather than look ahead, lets live in the pain of past horror.
Only imbeciles...carry venom for 40 years..turn the page. Mary needs to be sedated.
What is the racial makeup of the entire CPS system? Why are the predominantly black and other race schools not being penalizied for not having enough white students in them or being called racist? What are these schools doing to draw in more white or hispanic students?
As to the follow up suggested, "Have any of the '68 white students reached out to the Mt Greenwood Seven?" Have any of the Mt Greenwood Seven reached out to the 1968 white students?
The racist comments came from two teenagers across the street? You based your opinion (the media blasted that opinion to the world) of a whole neighborhood and school on two teenagers? Sounds a bit racist to me.
As to the the hateful mark on our school, upon further investigation, it was not wet. I will admit when I am wrong. I was told initially that it was wet. That mark also pertains to me as the evil org. that is represents was not exactly favorable to my religion. So for some clarity, that type of mark insults many races and religions and is not targeted specifically at any one race or group.
Another question, why haven't any of the students and staff at Mount Greenwood ever had such experiences here?
Another comment stated that the neighborhood is full with firefighters and policemen. Are you making another racist remark now based on place of employment? What is next? How about bakers, shoe salespersons and clergy?
Racism exists in every race. Even the MTG7 and Ms Mitchell about our school and neighborhood. A message was lost in the articles and the comments here. You opened the door so let's talk it with realism.
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39.1% Latino
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0.2% Native American
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Desegrataion hearings set for next week
By Yana Kunichoff
Medill Reports - Chicago
Chicago Public Schools hopes to end nearly three decades of federal court supervision of desegregation efforts in hearings next week, less than a year after the 40th anniversary of the first day of school for seven black students at Mount Greenwood Elementary School.
The students were the first blacks to be admitted under the Chicago Board of Education's "permissive transfer plan," which allowed black students from overcrowded schools in their own neighborhoods to transfer to schools outside of their district.
The school system entered into a consent decree in 1980, under which city schools have been required to demonstrate to the court that they are not discriminating against Hispanic and black children.
According to CPS final budget reports, about $81 million was spent on desegregation goals for the fiscal year 2008, down from more than $97 million in the fiscal year of 2007.
Mike Vaughn, director of communications of the Chicago Public Schools, said that by hoping to overturn the decree, CPS is "trying to get every dollar we can into the classroom."
It is "generally better to have schools be able to make decisions about diversity without having to go through the red tape of the monitoring procedure," Vaughn said.
CPS representatives said their policy was not to comment on pending lawsuits, so they could not definitively say the problems underlying the original case had been solved.
Local civil rights groups have opposed lifting the decree. One of the main issues is the difference in the quality of education received by minority students.
According to a 2005 report by the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago, the percentage of black students of the CPS graduating class of 2005 that had dropped out by age 18 was 37.6%, compared with 30.1% for Hispanics and 27.1% for whites.
Results like this would continue and possibly get worse were the decree to be overturned, said Caty Bautista, a paralegal with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund working on the case.
U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras, who has overseen the case since its inception, will hear testimony Jan. 22 from expert witnesses and parents concerned about the possible change. The hearing could last three to four days, one attorney said.
This chance for the community to speak is especially important, said Ed Yohnka, the American Civil Liberties Union director of communications, because "without pressure these are the types of things that have a tendency to slip under the radar screen."
CPS and the Department of Justice will also bring expert witnesses.
CPS has sought to overturn the consent decree on two previous occasions, in 2004 and 2006, with little success.
This most recent attempt comes in the same week the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor the slain civil rights leader, and the inauguration of Barack Obama, the nation's first black president.
When the original federal consent decree was entered 28 years ago, the district was described as 17.2% white, 60.7% black, 19.6% Hispanic, and 2.5% other. Today it is 8% white, 46.5% black, 39.1% Hispanic, and 6.4% other, according to CPS figures.
Ricardo Meza, a MALDEF lawyer, said CPS is "desegregated almost de facto because of the low percentage of white students."
The hearing will be 10:30 a.m. Jan. 22 at the Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn St.
Being that i graduated from Mt. Greenwod school in '07 i can personally say that the school is not racist. at all!!! none of you can say the school is racist because you havn't gone there or havn't gone ther in 40 years. More than half of that school is all black students. Myself were friends with most of them. I now go to a cps highschool which is more that 80 percent black. If anything there is reverse racism. I have been called, on numerous occasions very racist words, including h---ky, cra--er, saltine, and etc. But thats life. Mt. greenwood school is very tight knitt. And as for the neighborhood, i have lived here all my life. And yeah we have a reputation for being racist. And so do the police and firemen. But they work in the worst parts of the city, my father is a firemen, and the worst thing i have seen, in the 15 years of living here, was cops stopping young black men who were walking the streets causing trouble with kids and walking in backyards to steal stuff. I have also seen the poilice do the same things to white people. But if you were a police officer in a all white neighborhood and saw 4-5 young black men with crooked hats, pants past theri knees and causing trouble. You kno you would stop them to. And as soon as they get stopped, the race card comes out. I have been chased by gangbangers that come to this neighborhood to jump someone. Were not rascist, we know that this neighborhood is all white and there is no reason for 4-5 black males to be walking the streets here. I am tired of hearing the mt.greenwood is rascist bullcrap. Because i know if i walk down a street in Englewood, i would be getting my a-- beat for being in a neighborhood where i dont belong. Im tired of the democratic liberals who think the world is a perfect place and if someone says something to a black person, then they must be rascist. Wake up people, the world isn't a happy place to live...