About
Welcome to DrMelbaBeals.com.
My life before Central High School was finding out the why in life. Why can't I shop here? Why can't I speak to this person? Why am I not allowed in this part of town? Why am I not allowed to go to Central High School?
Nothing could prepare me for life during Central High School. Every verbal and physical assault was thrown at me all at once; every single day.
I made it out of Central High School. Everything that was thrown at me then is now neatly folded, but still tucked away in my heart. Not a day goes by without me reflecting, remembering and some cases reliving these moments.
This is an actual Street Sign awarded to me and other Little Rock Nine members on the 65th Anniversary of desegregating Central High School. Formerly named Park Street, the street is now named Little Rock Nine Way.
Here is an actual photo of the 2005 Little Rock Nine postage stamp, 37 cents at the time. This is a poster size version given to me, it measures about 3'x2' and is proudly hung in my living room today. Read the description below from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
Description
The Postal Service issued a souvenir sheet of 37-cent To Form a More Perfect Union stamps in ten designs, on August 30, 2005, in the following locations: Greensboro, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennesse; Montgomery, Alabama; Selma, Alabama; Topeka, Kansas; Washington, DC. Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland designed the stamps.
This issue recognizes the courage and achievements of the men and women who fought for equal rights during the years of the Civil Rights movement. The issue presents an artistic representation of several pivotal events from the 1948 Executive Order ending segregation in the military to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Stamp designer Ethel Kessler used details from contemporary artworks to comment on all of the ten historical events commemorated on this souvenir sheet.
50 million stamps were printed by Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. in the offset process.
Sitting in my entry way is this rare wood carved replica of my sculpture. Only 100 were made, this is signed 1 of 100. Each member received a replica of themselves.
Description
Visit the Arkansas State Capitol and you will discover the Little Rock Nine Memorial. This Memorial features life size brass sculptures of the Little Rock Nine members. This memorial is to honor the Little Rock Nine member who courageously integrated Little Rocks Central High School in 1957.