Ruby Bridges Research Papers

On November 14,1960, Ruby Bridges became the first African American to integrate schools and in doing so encountered hatred, racism, and discrimination, despite her young age. Ruby Bridges was only six years old when she started attending an all-white elementary school.

Upon her arrival at William Frantz Elementary School, a group of students and parents threw rocks and sticks at her and were shouting “Poison her” and, “hang her.”(Ruby Bridges Biography). Despite the Supreme Court ruling of Brown vs. the Board of Education in 1954, schools within the deep South remained segregated. However on November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges walked into a New Orleans, Louisiana, elementary school; thereby, becoming the first African American to integrate

Bridges wasn’t scared when she entered the school; in fact, one of the federal marshals who escorted her said years later, “She never cried or whimpered, she just marched along like a little soldier” (Ruby Bridges Biography). This might have been because of her mother who told her to never return violence with violence but to instead pray for the people who show hatred towards others. She also had help from Mrs. Henry, her teacher who not only taught her what she learned from books but also how to deal with the racist families. For further help with her stress, Bridges met with a child psychologist named Dr. Robert Coles who talked to Ruby about what she has to deal with on a daily basis and how to handle it. Dr. Coles later wrote a children’s book about Ruby’s experience called The Story of Ruby Bridges. One of Bridges’ guards saw Ruby talking when she entered school and thought she had gotten revenge and was shouting back at the crowd but instead she was praying and said, “Please, God, try to forgive those people. Because even if they say those bad things, they don't know what they are doing.” (10 Facts About Ruby Bridges). This proves that Ruby was already immune to the racist behaviors of others and new the best way to solve the problem is to not fight back and be

Bridges was the first African American to integrate an all-white elementary school; as a result she is one of the reasons that schools are not segregated because of race today. African Americans can now integrate with whites in public places like school. As an adult Bridges founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote values of tolerance, respect and appreciation of differences. She has learned that in order to make a difference, “don't follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength, and conviction, the only thing that can stop you is you!” She has also reminded that “Racism is a grown-up disease and we must stop using our children to spread it.” (10 Facts About Ruby Bridges). Racism still continues today but because of Ruby Bridges impact on society as a young child and an adult, African Americans can attend the same school and there is no longer segregation in public places. Her story inspired artist Norman Rockwell to create a painting of her walking into school with the federal