Day 8 -- The New Kid at School -- Ruby Bridges

    The name Ruby Bridges may not be  familiar to  who lived through the tumulus times of the 1950's and 60's.   This little girl was the center of attention when public schools in Louisiana began to be integrated. Certainly, many saw the pictures in 1962 of the protest outside of the elementary schools.  Names of the new students going to the schools were never released.  The photographs of Ruby going to school was how the world first met this bright, shy little girl.     Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges gives a unique perspective from the little girl who was at the center of the controversial belief  that all children should have access to a quality education regardless of  race, gender,  economic status  and cultural difference.  Another stepping stone to creating a society that could be truly equal for everyone.  

    What makes this book different autobiography  is that Ms. Bridges tells her viewpoint with the aide of  newspaper articles, photographs and quotations from other writers and adults who witnessed the historic event that swept her into the middle of history.  It gives the reader a very personal glimpse at what is was like for this little six year old girl to be in history's "fish bowl".  Could you just imagine what is must have felt like to walk into a school that was empty?  No other students.   The only teacher to be seen was the one to teach the First Grade class.  It must have been equally surreal to have Federal Marshalls escorts in and out of the school due to protesters yelling and demanding a return to segregated schools.  Without question this event would leave a long lasting impression upon a child.  Thankfully, Ms. Bridges view of the events reveals that through all of this she has remained positive, motivated and inspired to continue to in the center of civil rights activism.   In her quest to continue equality in education for all students she began The Ruby Bridges Foundation.  

    The best moments of this book are those shared between teacher and student.   Ms. Barbara Henry was Ruby's first grade teacher.   In the book, Ms. Henry describes in details what is was like for a white woman from Boston to teach in New Orleans.   She details how racism affected Ruby but also how it affected her as well.  How she was shunned by her professional peers who looked down at her for teaching a negro.  It is without a doubt that the first year of integration was hard on both teacher and student.  However,  it took the bravery of both these women to prove that equality in education could be achieved and should be done.   

    Robert Coles wrote the book The Story of Ruby Bridges, which later became a Disney movie and television special.  Coles wrote an an inspiring story, and well worth the read but frankly, this book that Ms. Bridges penned has much more impact with her recollections, photos and quotes. It provides the readers a deeper understanding of the times,  how Ruby felt then and most importantly how she feels today about the role she played in American history.   The historic picture of  a little black child going up huge steps to enter a school will be impressed upon the collective memories of Americans for years to come.   Her story had to be told.  Her story had to be seen through her eyes.