Ruby Bridges
In the life of almost every individual, there are times when he or she has to face various difficulties or challenges in his or her life. Contrary to the belief of some people that the hardships in ones’ life is only experience in the adult years of a person, there are also instances wherein at a very young age some children already have to undergo challenging situations. Kids that are supposed to just play and enjoy life have to face the harsh realities of the world. This kind of situation is greatly exemplified by the experiences of Ruby Bridges.
Ruby Nell Bridges was born on September 8, 1954 at Tylertown in Mississippi. During the age of four, she moved with her parents to New Orleans, Louisiana wherein she experienced one of the most important and challenging parts of her life. When she was only six years old, her parents volunteered her to participate in the integration of the New Orleans School system that was under the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Ruby Bridges was considered as the first African-American to attend an all-white school in the South, which is the William Frantz Elementary School (Coles, 1995).
During this time, Ruby Bridges had difficulties in going to school because enraged mobs did not agree with the court’s decision to let an African-American to attend an all-white school. Federal Marshals even have to accompany Ruby to school in order to ensure her security. By the time, she arrived at school the white parents removed their children from school. Despite this kind of situation, Ruby showed a lot of courage as he never cried nor whimpered. She continues going to school even if she has to face the anger of those people everyday and have to study alone with only her teachers as her companion.
The unusual strength that Ruby showed came from the support that her family especially her mother gave her. Most of the time her mother will encouraged her to be strong amidst all the things the she is going through. Moreover, Ruby also found refuge in the power of praying. Every time she went to school she recites a prayer asking the Lord to forgive all those people who are condemning her, as they do not know what they are doing. The support of her family and her faith in the Lord helped her to cope with the situation.
The response of Ruby also played an important role in changing the perception of people when it comes to the issue of segregation. Ruby’s determination aided for some white parents to bring their children back to school that started the practice of allowing students with different races to go to the same educational institution. The advocacy of Ruby for racial equality still continues even at up to the present time.
Reference
Cole, R. (1995). Ruby Bridges. New York: Scholastic.
