Ruby Bridges is 62 years old. Fifty-seven years ago she was the first Black student to attend Franz Elementary school in New Orleans, LA after the federal government forced Louisiana to comply with the landmark, Brown vs. the Board of Education Supreme Court ruling leading to the desegregation of the nation's public school system.
For over a year, she was the only student as all the white families pulled their kids out. The teachers refused to teacher to teach her, save one: Barbara Henry, a Boston native. Ms. Henry taught Ruby as though there were a room full of Rubys.
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I mention it here because one: I will celebrate my 57th birthday in a few months. Two: Women's History. Black(s) in America history IS AMERICAN
history. Three: I have been thinking about my school experiences as well as been in conversations with my son and daughter about experiences during their school years.
Four: Fifty-seven years ago Ruby was the first Black child to attend all-white Franz Elementary.
" . . . one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
#post 1,000.
I can't even imagine the courage it took for that little girl to face all that ignorance. I'm so happy to see that she can still smile.
ReplyDeleteAgree with 8thday, what an amazing amount of courage in that one small girl.
ReplyDeleteCelebrating with you, D, and congratulations on post 1000! Impressive!
A 5 year old American hero.
ReplyDeleteI have often looked at that Norman Rockwell painting of her (The Problem We All Live With) and wondered, with an aching heart, where she got such courage at such a young age?
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