Newly Found Letters Show How Texas Longhorns Delayed Integration

KG: So as you mentioned, the Supreme Court ruled in the spring of 1954, and that ruling required educational institutions to integrate their classrooms. Tell me about Marion Ford. Who was he, and why did he want to go to UT?

AP: Marion Ford is a charismatic black kid from Houston. He's 17 years old in 1954. He's a top-notch swimmer. He writes for the newspaper. He's in the Chemistry Honors Society. He goes to an all-black high school in Houston. He also plays football.

KG: The very first time that Marion Ford applied, he wasn't immediately accepted into the university. So, at first, he said he wanted to be a chemistry major, right?

AP: That's right. Marion Ford wants to be a chemistry major at the University of Texas. And the dean of admissions writes him back, saying, "You can take chemistry and the introductory courses at an all-black school in Houston." And Marion Ford writes him back, saying — I think he says, "I want to be, actually, a chemistry engineering major. And there's no such course available at this school in Houston."

Rocinante wrote:Texans are racists. In other news, Bob can’t keep his politics off the main board. More at 11.

Turtleneck wrote:

Rocinante wrote:Texans are racists. In other news, Bob can’t keep his politics off the main board. More at 11.

I think I will generalize about all the people who live in Wyoming based on Liz and Dick Cheney.

Rocinante wrote:Texans are racists. In other news, Bob can’t keep his politics off the main board. More at 11.

Rocinante wrote:Texans are racists. In other news, Bob can’t keep his politics off the main board. More at 11.