On Jan 16. the Branson community entered the Commons to hear a member of the Little Rock Nine, Melba Beals, speak about her experience racially integrating Little Rock Central High School and how her takeaways can benefit Branson.
Her talk was the center of a larger “Beloved Community” day for students, where students participated in grade-level bonding activities and heard presentations from last year’s junior fellowship recipients.
Beals’s speech detailed the incredible violence and hatred she experienced in high school, including acid shot into her eyes from a water gun, dynamite dropped on her head and a persistent peer walking her heels in between every class.
But, incredibly, her speech centered around a theme of love for those who have wronged her. She said, “If they knew better, they’d do better.”
Student Body Co-President Imogen Brown ‘25 said that Beals’s visit was her “favorite special assembly we’ve ever had.” Brown has also begun to incorporate some of Beals’ lessons into her life.
“Since the assembly, I’ve been thinking a lot about what Melba said about hate, and not hating the people who do you wrong,” she said. “A lot of what she said were common lessons that I’ve heard over and over again, like ‘hate takes over your life,’ but hearing it from somebody who has experienced such deep and violent hatred — to hear her say that she truly does not hate anybody — was so powerful. If this lady doesn’t hate anybody, then neither should I.”
Rohan Metzler ‘25 agreed, saying, “I took away the idea that love prevails over hate. The fact that she has room for kindness after all she has experienced is incredibly admirable.”
Beals was brought to Branson by the Branson Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team, which is headed by Director JuanCarlos Arauz and supported by student ambassadors and interns.
“Our work is to spread messages of DEI and bring awareness to tough issues,” said Ella Tsai ’26, a DEI intern.
On the choice of Beals to speak to the community, Tsai said, “The main reason we wanted to bring her in was because she was a high school student when she experienced this intense hatred. The age similarity would mean that Branson students would really be able to put themselves in her shoes.”
Of the assembly, Brown said, “The fact that Branson kids got to sit there and listen to such a changemaker talk and ask her questions speaks to the way Branson cares about its students and wants to develop them into good humans.”
