Something to think about concerning equality and civil rights.

 I came across a social media post about Ruby Bridges, the first Black child  at an all-white elementary school in Louisiana.

Born in 1954, she is 70 years old this year. That should read “she is only 70 years old. We need to remember that when we think about the need to protect equal rights. I decided to look her up. 

She originally attended a segregated kindergarten school and then in early 1960 she was one of six Black children in New Orleans to pass the test to see if they could attend the William Franz Elementary School. There have been long discussions about the rights and wrongs of the 11 Plus Exam here in England, discriminatory against many working class children back in the 50s and 60s, and still operating in some parts of the country. Imagine having to pass a test at 6 years old to decide if you were bright enough to receive a certain kind of education. 

As it was, two of the children opted to stay on the segregated school. Three of the children were transferred to McDonagh No. 19 Elementary School, another all-white school but Ruby Bridges went alone to the William Franz Elementary School. 

It’s scary enough being the new in school without being the only non-White kid in a situation where some parents probably (no, certainly) didn’t want that kind of integration. 

Ruby, and the three little girls who went to the other school were escorted to school by federal marshals, again a rather daunting experience for small girls. Deputy Marshal Charles Burks later recalled, "She showed a lot of courage. She never cried. She didn't whimper. She just marched along like a little soldier, and we're all very very proud of her."

Her father was initially reluctant, but her mother felt strongly that the move was needed not only to give her own daughter a better education, but to "take this step forward ... for all African-American children". Her mother finally convinced her father to let her go to the school. Hurrahbfor that brave mother! 

Some White parents withdrew their children from the school. All the teachers except one refused to teach her. And for over a year that teacher, Barbara Henry, from Boston Massachusetts, taught her her alone.

 On her first day, Ruby and her mother spent the entire day in the principal's office as the school was in chaos - one small girl disrupting everything! But on the second day a white student broke the boycott and entered the school when a 34-year-old Methodist minister, Lloyd Anderson Foreman, walked his five-year-old daughter Pam through the angry mob, saying, "I simply want the privilege of taking my child to school". Thank heavens for a “man of God” also being a man of principle, A few days later, other white parents began bringing their children, and the protests began to subside. 

It’s no wonder that Ruby Bridges grew up to be a Civil Rights activist. 

Ruby Bridges was also the subject of a painting by Norman Rockwell: “The Problem We All Live With”, depicting a small African American girl being escorted to school by US marshals. The marshalls’ faces are not seen in the painting. The important figure is Ruby. 

This was less than 70 years ago! Let’s not forget that! Let’s keep fighting for equal rights! For all people! Everywhere! 

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!