Consider This from NPR The Civil Rights Activist Sharing Her Story With A New Generation
Sep 26, 2022
Ruby Bridges, a pioneering civil rights activist and author, made history as the first Black child to desegregate an all-white school in 1960. In this discussion, she reflects on her childhood experiences and the challenges she faced during that tumultuous time. She emphasizes the vital role of education and resilience while introducing her children's book, which aims to share her story with a new generation. Bridges also highlights the intersection of art and activism, illustrating how creative expression can empower and inspire.
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Ruby Bridges' First Day
- Six-year-old Ruby Bridges desegregated William Frantz Elementary School in 1960, escorted by marshals amidst protests.
- She saw it as a Mardi Gras parade, unaware of the historical significance.
The Problem We All Live With
- Norman Rockwell's painting, The Problem We All Live With, depicted Bridges' first day at school.
- Years later, Bridges said the painting inspired her activism.
Alone in the Classroom
- In her book, I Am Ruby Bridges, Bridges recounts her confusion at being the only student in her class.
- She wondered why no one else looked like her.
