On June 11, 1963, Vivian Malone and James Hood attempted to enter the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in order to register for classes. Their way was blocked by then-Governor George Wallace, who only stepped aside when ordered to by National Guard General Henry Graham. Then president John Kennedy had called out the national guard because he was afraid of the international repercussions – especially in the newly independent African states – of exposure of the nature of the blatant racism in the US. We all owe a deb of gratitude to the courageous but little-known heroes like Vivian Malone and James Hood. The only way we can pay that debt is by emulating them.