Ruby Bridges

A few white children began coming back to school, and I got an opportunity to visit with them once or twice. Even though these children were white, I still knew nothing about racism or integration. I had picked up bits and pieces over the months from being around adults and hearing them talk, but nothing was clear to me. The light dawned one day when a little white boy refused to play with me.
" I can't play with you, " the boy said. "My mama said not to because you're a nigger."
At that moment, it all made sense to me. I finally realized that everything had happened because I was black. I remember feeling a little stunned. It was all about the color of my skin. I wasn't angry at the boy, because I understood. His mother had told him not to play with me, and he was obeying her. I would have done the same thing.

My father, Abon, didn't want any part of school integration. He was a gentle man and feared that angry segregationists might hurt his family. Having fought in the Korean War, he experienced segregation on the battlefield, where he risked his life for his country. He didn't think that things would ever change. He didn't think I would ever be treated as an equal.
Lucille, my mother, was convinced that no harm would come to us. She fought that the opportunity for me to get the best education possible was worth the risk, and she finally convinced my father.

Sharecropping is hard work. On the day before Ruby was born, I carried 90 pounds of cotton on my back. I wanted a better life for Ruby.

Lucille Bridges, Ruby's mother

When I was six years old, the civil rights movement came knocking at the door. It was 1960, and history pushed in and swept me up in a whirlwind. At the time, I knew little about the racial fears and hatred in Louisiana, where I was growing up. Young children never know about racism at the start. It's we adults who teach it.

My father, Abon, didn't want any part of school integration. He was a gentle man and feared that angry segregationists might hurt his family. Having fought in the Korean War, he experienced segregation on the battlefield, where he risked his life for his country. He didn't think that things would ever change. He didn't think I would ever be treated as an equal.
Lucille, my mother, was convinced that no harm would come to us. She fought that the opportunity for me to get the best education possible was worth the risk, and she finally convinced my father.

If kids of different races are to grow up to live and work together in harmony, then they are going to have to begin at the beginning - in school together.

Can we honestly say that it doesn't affect our security and the fight for peace when Negroes and others are denied their full constitutional rights ?

John F. Kennedy

It's odd how misfortune can bring on new blessings.

When one child in a family is receiving a lot of attention, it can cause problems.

le racisme est une maladie importante