Teaching a 6-year-old the Meaning of Hate
It was 1960 when Ruby Bridges became a symbol for desegregation in the country. Following Brown v. Board of Education–the landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled school segregation illegal–districts all over the country maintained segregating children of color from white children. In New Orleans, children like Ruby had to pass a test to prove they were ready for the white school. Then, she had to be escorted by federal marshals to ensure her safety. Remember, she was only 6. Bridges’ story has been told in many ways over the years, like the above painting by Norman Rockwell, which was based on the child’s very real experiences shown below.