In 1954, the United States Supreme Court made a decision to desegregate schools in the Brown vs. Board of Education case. In that same year, on September 8, 1954, Ruby Nell Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi. Ruby, later became the first African-American child to desegregate schools in the American South.
When Ruby was 6 years old, she took a test that African-American students took to see whether or not they could attend an all white school with a plan for integration. Ruby was one of four students selected to attend the all white school because they had the highest scores. In 1960, Ruby was the only student sent to an all white school in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ruby attended William Frantz Elementary school in New Orleans. She had to be extorted to her new school by U.S. federal marshals because mobs of people did not want integration. Ruby was threatened by the mobs of people. Parents pulled their children out of the school and some teachers refused to teach, because she was African-American. There is a famous painting by Normal Rockwell called “The Problem We All Live With”, showing the brave Ruby going to school while facing racism.
Ruby Bridges taught us to love on another and to be courageous because when people threatened her by telling her that they would poison her, or when people threw things at her and told her not to come back, she did not let that stop her from going to school.
Ruby Bridges is important because even though she was a young 6 year old girl, she was an important part of the Civil Rights movement. She shows us that even young people can make a difference. She is an inspiration to all children because she was courageous and brave. She did not let anyone stop her from going to school, and she made a difference. She did not let other people’s negativity stop her from doing what was right. Ruby teaches us that we are not born hating or disliking anyone, but things like racism are taught and passed on to children. Ms. Bridges is still making a difference and works with youth.
Ruby taught us not to judge people by anything except how they are on the inside. Ruby is important today because without her schools could still be separated today. It think it is important to be like Ruby because if we are not like Ruby no change will happen. If I ever meet Ruby I would tell her that without her I would probably not be going to the same school as some of my friends.
Written by Kaya and Kassiya Anderson, with the encouragement and support of Ms. Gonsalves
MsRepresent 