Research Paper On Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges is an American civil rights activist who played a significant role in breaking racial barriers in the United States. In 1960, at the age of six, Bridges became the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school in the south. This act is known to be one of the highlights of the civil rights movement. Ruby Bridges' bravery in the face of hate and racism helped pave the way for equal education opportunities for African American children.

Ruby Bridges' experiences at school were a very harsh environment for any six-year-old child to experience. “the first day that I arrived with federal marshals, they rushed me inside of the building, and 500 kids walked out of school that first day. And they never returned.”

“From social alienation and threats of physical violence to aggression from her principal and fellow teachers, Barbara fought daily to give Ruby as normal an elementary school education as possible.” (Scholastic) Barbara Henry moved from a whole other state in order to teach Ruby since the teachers at William Frantz wouldn’t. In an interview with Scott Simon Ruby Bridges said “Barbara came from Boston to teach me because teachers actually quit their jobs because they didn't want to teach Black kids.” She was taught alone by Barbara Henry, as parents of other classmates had removed all the white students from the school in protest. In an interview, Ruby explained that 5 or 6 other students actually kept going to the school though, but the principal purposefully kept them away from Ruby. Ruby explained how Barbara Henry reacted to this by saying “She was saying, you know, the laws changed, and kids can be together now. But you're hiding them from Ruby. If you don't allow them to come together, I'm going to report you to the superintendent. And that forced them to allow Mrs. Henry to take me to where they were being hidden. And that was near the end of the

Her legacy serves as a reminder of the progress made in the fight for civil rights. Bridges' courage and determination in the face of adversity inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to stand up for what is right and just. Ruby bridges is known for saying “racism is a grownups disease.” She states, “None of our babies are born into the world knowing anything about disliking one another or disliking someone because of the color of their skin. Our babies don't come into the world like that. And so if babies are not born that way, then we as adults are the ones who are passing it onto them. And we have kept racism alive. Meaning that children are not born into this world with the belief of racism, it is only engrained into a child’s mind by the teaching of others. She hopes to inspire others to join the fight of equality so no child is ever born into believing in racism. Ruby Bridges was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton in 2001, NAACP Image award, Louisiana legends award, Ellis Island medal of honor, honorary doctorate degrees, civil rights walk of fame, and many others. Her story has been told in books, movies, and other media. Today, Ruby Bridges remains a symbol of courage and perseverance in the fight for equality and justice for