Often when we as students are taught about segregation and the civil rights movement, the pictures are often shown in black and white. Let’s remember that segregation didn’t end until 1964… only 58 years ago. It hasn’t been that long. Dorothy Counts is a civil rights pioneer who isn’t talked about enough and when she is, she’s shown in black and white. 

Why is Dorothy Counts important? She was one of the first Black students to attend Harry Harding High School in Charlotte, North Carolina at a time of trying to desegregate schools. As she walked down a hill toward the school she faced harassment from white students. She has insults thrown at her, was spat on, and some even threw eggs at her. After four days of nonstop harassment, she transferred out and continued her education elsewhere. Dorothy Count is still alive, and will always be an icon for being one of the first few Black students to attend an all-white school. Remember, things like segregation haven’t been ended for as long as the education system tries to teach us.