1. Were your parents politically active? Did they have any influence on your wearing the black armbands to school?

Yes, all four parents involved (William and Maggie Eckhardt, and Lorena Jeanne and Leonard Tinker) were active politically, and had been involved in the civil rights and peace movements. They did not try to convince us to wear armbands, but they supported us in our protest. [John Tinker]

2. Did any of the students suspended for wearing black armbands personally know someone killed in Vietnam?

I did not personally know anyone killed in Vietnam. I would hear about kids at the high school who were going to Vietnam and I heard of some deaths in Des Moines. I do not know if the other students knew anyone personally, but I think they probably did because they were older and in high school. [Mary Beth Tinker]

3. What did your friends think about your wearing the black armbands to school?

My girlfriend dropped me and told me I could no longer come over to her house. Her father was a former military officer and didn't appreciate my position.

A buddy of mine, at whose house I would occasionally sleep over, lived south of Grand Ave. in Des Moines. This was an area of Des Moines known for its opulent homes. His father was a businessman, and on one occasion while I was there, his father had consumed too much alcohol. He told me he didn't care for my anti-war opinions and told me to get out of his home. I, of course, complied. That buddy stayed my buddy, and years later, his father would deny my eviction ever occurred. However, his family and I knew better.

Of course today, most of those who opposed me back then, say now that they really supported me. But George Wallace now says his best friend is an African-American. Regardless, we all learn at different rates of speed, but as long as learning is happening, that's good. It is healthier individually and as a nation to forgive our enemies and trespassers and get on with the joy and gift of living. [Chris Eckhardt]

4. Have you explained your "protest" to your children?

I have explained the case many times to my son, who is now 17. He knows all about it. He has seen books and articles about the case. I think he is proud of his mother. I remember one funny thing that happened. Once my son was suspended for throwing an eraser in 6th grade and he asked the principal if she had ever heard of the "Tinker" case. She said she had, but that it wasn't going to help him in his situation! [Mary Beth Tinker]