Letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower from Agnes Allen Against Integration
9/27/1957
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In this letter from Agnes Allen to President Eisenhower, the Chicago resident shares her opinion on the recent actions by the President during the Little Rock Crisis.
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education that segregated schools are "inherently unequal." In September 1957, as a result of that ruling, nine African-American students enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The ensuing struggle between segregationists and integrationists, the State of Arkansas and the federal government, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, has become known in modern American history as the "Little Rock Crisis."
The crisis gained world-wide attention. When Governor Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to surround Central High School to keep the nine students from entering the school, President Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne Division into Little Rock to insure the safety of the "Little Rock Nine" and that the rulings of the Supreme Court were upheld.
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education that segregated schools are "inherently unequal." In September 1957, as a result of that ruling, nine African-American students enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The ensuing struggle between segregationists and integrationists, the State of Arkansas and the federal government, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, has become known in modern American history as the "Little Rock Crisis."
The crisis gained world-wide attention. When Governor Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to surround Central High School to keep the nine students from entering the school, President Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne Division into Little Rock to insure the safety of the "Little Rock Nine" and that the rulings of the Supreme Court were upheld.
Transcript
Chicago, Ill.
9-27-57
President Eisenhower,
There must be something you could do to help the American White people.
In Chicago, we live in fear. Where - they will invade our neighborhood, churches & schools, supported by whites, now lay empty. Because they can't support them.
The Negro knows they will be protected and do as they please - Protection sometimes makes people more forward.
When the Negro goes miles & miles out of their way - who is looking for trouble?
Why didn't God make us all one color? I believe he didn't want integration. And gave us Men like you and Gov. Faubus to help. Our Flag loved by all. Federal Troops Forcing Our White People into what? And for what the Negros, that are forcing themselves. When they have Wonderful schools.
Where is Liberty, Justice
Sincerely
Agnes Allen
8601 So. Aberdeen St.
This primary source comes from the Collection DDE-WHCF: White House Central Files (Eisenhower Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 6092844
Full Citation: Letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower from Agnes Allen Against Integration; 9/27/1957; Bulk Mail Files, 1953–1961; Collection DDE-WHCF: White House Central Files (Eisenhower Administration); Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Abilene, KS. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-president-eisenhower-agnes-allen-against-integration, April 29, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
