The Crisis at Mansfield

Following the threat of losing federal funds for the district if it did not comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, nine years after the attempted desegregation of Mansfield High School, an article in the Mansfield News-Mirror announced the intent of Mansfield Independent School District to comply. In May 1965, pre-enrollment took place for African American students who would attend school in the fall. One of those students, Brenda Norwood, remembers loading up on the bus at the church on the first day of school to ride to Mansfield High School. She said, “There were a lot of people that did not want us there at all. Were we fearful? Yes, we didn’t know what was going to happen.”  Mrs. Norwood also remembered that as the students became acquainted with one another and involved, she developed relationships and friendships. Local newspapers reported the day of integration as “quiet” and even reported that black and white students were joking with each other in the hallways.