In the 1960s, schools were divided along racial lines with separate institutions for white and people of color. However, Ruby Bridges broke the color barrier by becoming the very first African-American student to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis. Without knowing her first day would be at an all-white school, Ruby, for the rest of the school year, would frequently face racism and racial segregation almost every day. Her courageous act remains a significant milestone in the fight for equal access to education. When Ruby first attended school, she faced racism, discrimination, and prejudice from others. An article mentions, “Ruby faced blatant racism every day while entering the school. Many parents kept their children at home. People outside the school threw objects, and police set up barricades. She was threatened and even “greeted" by a woman displaying a black doll in a wooden coffin."(Hilbert College) Ruby had to face people threatening and …show more content…
According to the author, "Things changed gradually. Over the course of that first year, a few white parents let their children back into the school."(Steve Rose) Following the next school year, Ruby was able to enjoy classes with other students. After the situation improved, there were no protests. According to the author, "By the time Bridges returned to the school for the second year, the furor had pretty much died down. There were no protests, she was in a normal-sized class with other children, predominantly white but with a few more African Americans. The overall situation had improved, although Bridges was upset that Henry had left the school (they have remained lifelong friends)."(Steve Rose) In her second year, Ruby was able to enjoy a diverse classroom environment with African American peers, which brought her a sense of