Photo by Shelli Parker Fisher Wall 2022
Courtesy photo Georgia Coit Fite stating , “ He made the world a better place .” His legacy was an unselfish benefactor and community service , and he left behind friends nationwide of every color , financial position and faith united by their love for him .
Athens ISD integrated in 1968 and all the remaining students of Fisher were required to transfer , including West .
Integration was a challenging time for Athens and the nation . At first , only the top Fisher High students transferred , then 10th , 11th and 12th grade students were integrated followed by the rest .
West said his first year was difficult . Students were not well received and endured racial slurs , some getting told to “ go back home ,” but they couldn ’ t . Parents of all ethnicities worried about their children and what the changes would bring . No parent wants to send their child alone to a place they are not welcomed by everyone . Yet , not all of Athens white community was against the change . Some were very vocal about the “ cowardly behaviors ” not being condoned by anyone they knew .
“ We had some struggles , but made it through the process ,” West said .
Black students were
14 Greater Athens Magazine | February 2022