NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - For years, “separate but equal” was the way of life for African Americans, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
As a child, former Metro Nashville School board member Edward Kindall saw desegregation happen firsthand. It was called “The Nashville Plan.”
“Dark clouds of course were Jim Crow. You know that you ran into when you went to the downtown areas. But the silver linings were actually education. Nashville took the position they were going to desegregate one grade at a time starting at the lower grade and going through the 12th grade,” said Kindall.
Kindall didn’t help desegregate schools, but Hattie Cotton Elementary school first-grader Patricia Watson was one of the students who did.
The current school principal, Jocelyn Adams, said Watson’s first day of school was met with violence.
“She attended her first half-day here and, of course, that evening the school was bombed. It was after midnight so September 10th, the school was bombed.”
John Kasper was arrested and charged for leading the violent act.
Watson went on to attend an all-Black elementary school in Nashville.
But the steps the 6-year-old took live on.
“Because of that day in history all kids in all schools are reaping the benefits of Ms. Watson’s journey, her brave journey and because of that it opened doors for students for opportunities,” said Adams.
Hattie Cotton STEM Magnet Elementary School is now made up of a little more than 70% African American students.
Despite the progress, there are concerns for some students would experience some of the setbacks that were present decades ago if lawmakers approve Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher plan.
The program would give $7,000 to 20,000 students for private schools. The governor said it’s about giving parents control.
“It’s time that we parents decide, and not the government, where their child goes to school and what they learn.”
But others like Kindall see potential harm.
“I was always opposed to the voucher. You know, one of the motivations in my opinion at the time for vouchers, was to allow, to actually exacerbate the segregation,” he said.
Regardless of what happens, Hattie Cotton is focused on remembering Patricia Watson’s path and looking forward to the paths ahead.
WSMV reached out to MNPS for their thoughts on Governor Lee’s school voucher plan. We were sent this statement from the Director of schools Dr. Adrienne Battle:
“Private school vouchers undermine our public schools and have failed to support the learning needs of students who have used them in other states where they have been tried, and data show the same happening in Tennessee under the pilot program. I remain opposed to private school vouchers and would encourage lawmakers to oppose any expansion and repeal the existing program in place.”
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