Fire from the Rock

Sylvia goes for her interview with the members of the school board. Eileen Crandall is one of the members. Sylvia is surprised by their questions. They ask her if she thinks she is better than white students, if she has a boyfriend, how often she goes to the bathroom, and if she is aware that her parents could lose their jobs if she integrates Central. Sylvia says she is as smart as anyone else, is not interested in dating, and would not make it through an entire day without having to go to the bathroom. The committee reminds her that she would not get to date any of the white boys, they would have to build a separate bathroom for her, and she would not be allowed to participate in any of the school activities. They also ask her if she has any white friends. Sylvia mentions Rachel, but the committee dismisses the Zuckers as not “counting” as white because they are Jewish. Then they dismiss Sylvia like a “minor irritant.” In her diary, Sylvia writes that she felt “hollowed out” after the interview and she went for a long run.