Ruby Bridges was born on September 8th, 1954 in an impoverished area of Mississippi. Four years later, Bridges' father, mother, and 7 siblings all moved to New Orleans, where she became the youngest civil rights activist.
Following the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education ruling, which desegregated schools across America, selection individuals could take tests that would allow them to attend previously all-white schools. This test, purposely made difficult in order to postpone black integration, was passed by only 6 black individuals, the youngest being Ruby Bridges.
Despite only being in kindergarten, on her first day of school, Bridges was escorted by 4 federal marshalls, blocking her from mobs of people yelling derogatory and demeaning comments. Some individuals shouted death threats of poisoning her while another held up a black doll in a coffin. Bridges was taught her first year in an empty classroom, aside from the teacher. This event led to many different interpretations, such as Norman Rockwell's The Problem We All Live With as well as The Story of Ruby Bridges.
This event had profound impacts, immediately causing some parents to unenroll their children and find a new school. Bridges' parents were also fired from their workplace and struggled to find individuals willing to sell them food. Even so, Bridges was widely supported by citizens in the North, who would occasionally donate money or goods to help the family.
Later in her life, Bridges founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which was sparked by the death of her brother, Malcolm Bridges. The foundation hopes to utilize education and learning as a way to combat racial prejudice and discrimination.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ruby-bridges
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ruby-Bridges
https://www.nps.gov/people/rubybridges.htm
As you mentioned, Norman Rockwell did a famous painting named The Problem We All Live With in an attempt to capture the emotions and scenery associated with Rudy Bridges's first day at school. Norman Rockwell was a famous painter who, for 47 years, designed various drawing for magazine covers. During Rudy's march, as you said, she and the four accompanying federal marshals were faced a violent mob and bombarded by all kinds of threats. However, as one marshal observed, Rudy never wavered or showed sign of fear; instead, regardless of whether it was childhood innocence or immense courage, Rudy marched along like a little soldier among the ranks. Such a momentous demonstration of the determination held by Rudy and all those who have been segregated for far too long was what ultimately inspired Rockwell's painting.
ReplyDeleteSource:
https://mymodernmet.com/norman-rockwell-the-problem-we-all-live-with/
This article was very well written. I found it interesting how Bridges' entire family was impacted, to the point that they got fired from their jobs and found it hard to find food. I really wanted to know more about their family dynamics after reading this, so here's what I discovered:
ReplyDelete- Her father and mother disagreed on the topic of sending her to a traditionally "white" school; her father thought she would be unsafe there, and her mother wanted her to have the education.
- Her father wasn't able to find work for five years after she attended school.
- Even Ruby's grandparents were forced off their farm.
- Ruby's parents ultimately ended up divorcing when she was 12.
It is quite sad that segregation is so impactful on the lives of people even after overturned by the Supreme Court. However, without the brave actions of Ruby Bridges and her family, civil rights might not have advanced to the stage it is at today.
Sources:
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ruby-bridges
https://www.thoughtco.com/ruby-bridges-biography-4152073