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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLet me tell you about Ruby Bridges.
'UNDER GOD'
In a Class of Only One: Ruby Bridges
By Toby Mac and Michael Tait
CBN.com It was the morning of November 16, 1960. Two big, black limousines pulled up in front of the William T. Frantz Elementary school in New Orleans, where a large, angry crowd had gathered. Four husky U.S. federal marshals got out. Then, while sheltering her from the crowd with their own bodies, they helped a tiny black girl in a starched white dress get out of the car. Putting her carefully on the sidewalk, they turned her around, and with two marshals in front of her and two behind her, the procession climbed the steps and entered the school.
It was Ruby Bridges' third day at her new school. On the first day her mother, Lucille, had gone with Ruby and the federal marshals. The night before, she had told Ruby, "There might be a lot of people outside the school, but you don't need to be afraid. I'll be with you." Ruby saw the barricades and heard the people shouting but thought it was the Mardi Gras carnival that takes place in New Orleans every year.
That whole first day, Ruby and her mother sat behind the glass window of the principal's office and waited. No one spoke to them but all day they watched as white parents came in and dragged their children out of the school. Finally it was three o'clock and time to go home. The crowd outside was even bigger and louder than it had been that morning, but the marshals helped them get through it safely.
snip
Mrs. Henry escorted Ruby and her mother to a classroom on the second floor. There were lots of desks in the room but no other children. Ruby's mother took a seat in the back, Ruby took a seat up front, and Mrs. Henry started to teach Ruby the alphabet. Mrs. Henry was young and white, and Ruby was uneasy at first she had never spent time with a white person before. She spent the whole day in the classroom with Mrs. Henry. She couldn't go to the cafeteria or outside for recess. Federal marshals sat outside the door, guarding and protecting them.
Read More:http://www.cbn.com/special/BlackHistory/UnderGod_RubyBridges.aspx
Ruby Bridges Foundation
A Message From Ruby
Dear Friend,
Though I did not know it then, nor would I come to realize it for many years, what transpired in the fall of 1960 in New Orleans would forever change my life and help shape a nation. When I think back on that time and all that has occurred since, I realize a lot has changed. I also know there is much more to be done. That fateful walk to school began a journey, and I have now developed a vision to continue moving forward.
November 14, 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of the day I desegregated William Frantz Elementary School. Most people know me as the six-year-old girl perpetually in a white dress and pigtails, as depicted in Norman Rockwells The Problem We All Live With. The problem Rockwell alludes to has been a part of our history since the first enslaved people were brought to the Americas over 400 years ago, and it is one that each of us must still confront today. For me, the painting also serves as an ever-present reminder of my purpose.
It was not until experiencing many of lifes lessons that I realized this calling. Ironically enough, it came to me decades later while at William Frantz. I had not given much thought to the events of my childhood until my youngest brother passed away in 1993, and I began looking after his daughters. They happened to be students at William Frantz, and I began volunteering there as a parent liaison. At that difficult time in my life, I felt I had been brought back in touch with my past for some greater cause.
Not long after, a reporter called the school. Psychiatrist Robert Coles had written a childrens book, The Story of Ruby Bridges, and people wanted to know what had happened to the little girl in the painting. No one expected to find me back at my old school.
Read More: http://rubybridgesfoundation.org/welcome/a-message-from-ruby/
A small child. A little girl with courage. She did not whine or cry. She marched into that school head held high even though she did not understand the hateful calls. She thought it was the Mardi Gras carnival that takes place in New Orleans every year. This tiny child received death threats, a child in a coffin. She was stronger than the hate and survived.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Very happy to hear Ms.Bridge's story, always wondered what kind of life she had.
I was here in Alabama in 1964. Their was so much tension in the air you could cut it with a knife. Everybody was jumpy.
Today I live about 50 miles south of Selma, a small town like so many lil towns down here, barely making it economically, but still etched indelibly in people's minds for its importance all those years ago.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)Kindergarten, five years old? Five. Thank you to Mrs Henry for taking her under your wing so she could fly.
Thank you so much, dixiegrrrrl.
struggle4progress
(118,334 posts)sheshe2
(83,879 posts)No one that I know.
mcar
(42,372 posts)sheshe2
(83,879 posts)She found one of me in Kindergarten with my friends. I was a baby. I can't even imagine what Ruby went through at that age.
Niagara
(7,655 posts)I would love to see those photos in your Kindergarten days if you would be willing to share them.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)Do me a favor. Make another post ASAP...your post count is 666.
Niagara
(7,655 posts)I'm ASAP'ing on another post, Sheshe.
LOL!
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)That number should be deleted, just like the 13th floor.
Niagara
(7,655 posts)I'm not at all superstitious but that number is a thorn in my side!
Love always trumps hate.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)Thank you. Niagara. Love your sig line too.
Niagara
(7,655 posts)I was wondering what Ruby does today and found this link dated back to 2017:http://hunet.harding.edu/wordpress/news/ruby-bridges-to-conclude-asi-lecture-series
I couldn't find anything recent.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)mcar
(42,372 posts)Niagara
(7,655 posts)It would amazing to get a chance to talk to Ruby.
Perseus
(4,341 posts)To me, one of the greatest artists that ever lived, I am just sad that he didn't know how good he was, but people will be talking about him in years to come in the same conversation as they speak about Degas, Picasso, Rembrandt, and others.
I just finished reading his book "My life as an illustrator", anyone who likes art and Norman Rockwell should read it. He was just like his paintings, full of life and adventure, an incredible human being.
Merlot
(9,696 posts)I was fortunate enough to see a gallery of Norman Rockwell paintings sometime in the 90's. I was familiar with his work, but it felt it was to "Americana" for me. At that gallery I started noticing how subversive and political he was. I saw how each person in each painting was an individual who you could perceive a lifestory. That was the most amazing part of his work to me - that he found the humanity in every person.
Stonepounder
(4,033 posts)I read it, looked at the pictures, and cried. Tears of happiness for such a wonderful story, and tears of sorrow for what the US is becoming under Trump.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)They sent her and feared for her. Look where she is now.
I cried for her as I do the children at our borders. I want more Mrs. Henry's in their life. She is from MA. My state.
Thank you Stonepounder.
erronis
(15,328 posts)of the happiness ones. It can't happen with the haters in the government and ruling the airwaves.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)http://www.cbn.com/special/BlackHistory/UnderGod_RubyBridges.aspx
There will always be haters, then there are the allies that I hope can negate the hate.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Ruby was a beautiful little girl who grew into a beautiful woman.
I will never understand what makes people hate one another because of superficial qualities such as the color of their skin, or their ethnicity, or anything else that they can't control.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)Pretty amazing life that Ruby led, then and now.
Response to sheshe2 (Original post)
sheshe2 This message was self-deleted by its author.
pecosbob
(7,543 posts)God bless Rockwell for the use of his work to spread understanding.
Of course, that's not what the post is really about and I don't wish to sidetrack. God bless those who transform the troubles in their lives into a reason to help others.
"Two or three minutes...two or three hours. What does it mean now in this life of ours?
- Wilbert Harrison, 'Let's Work Together' 1969
stopwastingmymoney
(2,042 posts)In the picture with President Obama, do you know?
pecosbob
(7,543 posts)I know it was installed in the hall outside the Oval Office from July to October 2011 by Barrack Obama at Bridges' suggestion. I expect it's now back in the museum in Massachusetts.
lillypaddle
(9,581 posts)all dressed for her day at school. Hoping for the best, probably scared and nervous at what lays ahead.
Hey! Who's chopping onions????
stopwastingmymoney
(2,042 posts)Im so proud of young Ruby
I might be inspired to a bit of writing, which is not easy for me to do well and I wonder what you might think of it Sheshe?
Two years ago on vacation with a group of old and new friends, I found myself in conversation with three liberal white women in their sixties who had been raised in the south. They were telling me about this very topic.
Now understand, I know my history but...Im 48, born and raised in Northern California. To my own memory, there were always black kids in school and it wasnt a big deal.
I had no idea how recent that history really was and their stories shocked me.
I have to think more about what they actually said but theres a lesson in here 😊
panader0
(25,816 posts)I have known about this Rockwell for years but not all the back story.
Thanks sheshe2 for posting this.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)SunSeeker
(51,674 posts)underpants
(182,876 posts)The images.
malaise
(269,157 posts)It was a wonderful moment in American history - there will be no turning back
grantcart
(53,061 posts)sheshe2
(83,879 posts)So very brave.
Response to grantcart (Reply #32)
sheshe2 This message was self-deleted by its author.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)I highly recommend it for anyone with a 3rd through 8th grader. She also authored a book for younger children called Ruby Bridges Goes to School which also is also beautifully written and has real photographs. Its a great way to teach our children about the past and milestones in African American history.
Thank you for the post, Sheshe2.
sheshe2
(83,879 posts)Their birthdays are coming up. Thanks so much, DesertRat.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)Niagara
(7,655 posts)I received the book "Alicia: My Story" by Alicia Appleman-Jurman when I was 14 years of age. It's a book that I will never part with.
I will be purchasing another copy of this book to give it to a specific young lady who will be turning 14 very soon.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)underpants
(182,876 posts)Kick