Ruby bridges
Ruby Bridges was born in Mississippi in 1954. She was the first born of Abon and Lucille Bridges. The United States just started hand down its decision to integrate the schools in the country. Ruby's family moved to New Orleans when they heard there were better opportunities in the city. New Orleans schools were forced by federal law to desegregate their public schools. Ruby Bridges took a test to find out who could go to kindergarten of an integrated school. Bridges passed the test, and was sent to go to William Frantz Public School. Her mother supported the idea for her to go to school with whites, but her father did not want that. Eventually, after a lot of arguing, her mother convinced her father the positives of Ruby going to an integrated school, and she was finally sent to the integrated school.
It was decided on Monday, November 14, 1960, that blacks could attend the schools with white children in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges was the only one assigned to William Frantz. Ruby and her mother were driven by federal marshals to the school. Once they got out, people roared, shook their fists at them, and were very noisy. However, none of them could attack, since Ruby and her mother were surrounded by marshals protecting them on every side of them. Mrs. Henry was her teacher and she was very loving. It was always just Mrs. Henry and Ruby, and Ruby always looked forward to seeing Mrs. Henry. Without Mrs. Henry, it would have been extra tough for Bridges to make it through the school year.
Ruby Bridges being the only black person to go to a school where there were all whites was very symbolic. It was another significant event where it emphasizes not judging people by their color of skin. Mrs. Henry was not full of hate like the mob. She was white just like everyone in the mob, but was not full of hate. Ruby should have been treated as an equal and should have always been aloud to go to wherever school she wants. Just because she was black did not mean that she could not attend school with whites. Ruby Bridges and Mrs. Henry started a whole new America where it was acceptable for blacks and whites to get their education together.
It was decided on Monday, November 14, 1960, that blacks could attend the schools with white children in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges was the only one assigned to William Frantz. Ruby and her mother were driven by federal marshals to the school. Once they got out, people roared, shook their fists at them, and were very noisy. However, none of them could attack, since Ruby and her mother were surrounded by marshals protecting them on every side of them. Mrs. Henry was her teacher and she was very loving. It was always just Mrs. Henry and Ruby, and Ruby always looked forward to seeing Mrs. Henry. Without Mrs. Henry, it would have been extra tough for Bridges to make it through the school year.
Ruby Bridges being the only black person to go to a school where there were all whites was very symbolic. It was another significant event where it emphasizes not judging people by their color of skin. Mrs. Henry was not full of hate like the mob. She was white just like everyone in the mob, but was not full of hate. Ruby should have been treated as an equal and should have always been aloud to go to wherever school she wants. Just because she was black did not mean that she could not attend school with whites. Ruby Bridges and Mrs. Henry started a whole new America where it was acceptable for blacks and whites to get their education together.