Why Do We Need an Opening Doors Mural on Campus?

1. By: Khristin Lee A Closer Look At the Depictions of Autherine Lucy and Polly Anne Myers in the Media Why Do We Need an Opening Doors Mural on Campus?

2. Media Representations: Polly Anne Myers • I found no pictures of Myers under Google image search, only these two articles from Jet Magazine. • The first article was published on July 16, 1953; the second was published on November 12, 1953. • Myers is also not listed in the Alabama Encyclopedia, however Autherine Lucy, James Hood, and Vivan Malone are. • I also searched American’s Historical Newpapers, in particular the database of every African American Newspaper printed from 1827-1998, no to avail.

3. Media Representations: Autherine Lucy Strong, brave, heroic Victimizing, weakness, rebel African American Press vs. White Press

4. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. " Adlai Calls Alabama Rioting Deplorable." Plaindealer [Kansas City, Kansas] 02 17 1956, 1. Print. " Adlai Calls Alabama Rioting Deplorable." Plaindealer [Kansas City, Kansas] 02 17 1956, 1. Print. " Adlai Calls Alabama Rioting Deplorable." Plaindealer [Kansas City, Kansas] 02 17 1956, 1. Print. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. " Adlai Calls Alabama Rioting Deplorable." Plaindealer [Kansas City, Kansas] 02 17 1956, 1. Print. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. Saunders, Joe. "Pen Tracks." Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. Lucy In Black Press African American articles also showed Lucy’s support from government officials, as seen in this article. This article represents Lucy in a positive way, common among most African-American newspapers. She is looked at as a hero, often praised for her unyielding bravery and seen as an inspiration to minorities all over the US Saunders, Joe. “Pen Tracks.” Crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 02 10 1956, 14 1. Print. " Adlai Calls Alabama Rioting Deplorable." Plaindealer [Kansas City, Kansas] 02 17 1956, 1. Print.

5. Lucy In Black Press Continued African American writers questions the southern hospitality of men at UA due to the harsh treatment of Autherine Lucy. “The brave young woman who was the target of eggs, epithets, and threats in her brief dormer stay on the campus state, “I will be back in school Monday morning.” “Readmission of Autherine Lucy ordered by court." crusader [Rockford, Illinois] 03 02 1956, 17 1. print. “Soviet Press Play Up Autherine Lucy Case." Dlain Dealer [Kansas City, Kansas] 03 23 1956, 1. print. “The sad story of Miss Lucy has torn off the false mask of American democracy” "The Blood Of A Co-Ed." Arkansas State Press [Little Rock, Arkansas] 03 09 1956, 3. Print.

6. Lucy in White Press Autherine Lucy Foster, the first black to attend the university of Alabama, didn't stay there long. On her third day as a student, she was pelted with eggs by a white mob -- and soon was expelled for allegedly inciting the riot. "Autherine Lucy Foster." U.S. News & World Report 112.18 (1992): 14 Thirty-six years ago, Autherine Lucy walked through the doors of the university of Alabama, doors that had been open only to whites. They closed quickly. A black woman, she was suspended that night, following turmoil on campus. Later the school's trustees expelled her. Associated, press. "Civil rights pioneer forced from college triumphs in return." Roanoke Times, the (VA) 09 May 1992 One evening last week two Negro brothers beat up a university sophomore in the street because they wanted "to get even for the way they treated Miss Lucy." The police booked the violent brothers on a charge of attempted murder. Their violent methods of retaliation in honor of the rebellious Autherine Lucy went to no avail. “ Bama Considers." Time 67.9 (1956): 70 “First Negro to attend, Autherine Lucy's arrival set off a week-long demonstration. Mob tossed rocks, eggs, tomatoes, shouted "Kill her! Kill her!“ "Getting Miss Lucy out of Alabama U." Time. 03 15 1957: 21. Print.

7. Opening Doors Mural Why Is It Necessary? We have clearly came a long way in terms of racial tensions at the University of Alabama, yet we still have a long way to go! Why not honor the brave individuals who risked their lives attempting to the University? We have statues of sport coaches who changed the UA in a positive way, why are there no statues of Autherine Lucy? Her impact was just as heavy as any football coach in my opinion. Amazingly, it is almost impossible to find sufficient information or even a picture of Polly Anne Myers on the internet, yet she was the pushing force behind the entire decision to integrate UA. Bear Bryant has his own museum on campus, yet no information is posted in the museum about the integration of black players. If we want to continue to lessen racial tension and increase cultural diversity at the University of Alabama, a great start would be establishing this museum/mural to inform, acknowledge, show appreciation of the historical African-American leaders that stood up for something much bigger than themselves. Had it not been for those individuals, I might not have been a student at UA today.