Ruby Bridges: Get to Know the Girl Who Took a Stand for Education

This will come as no surprise to other writers but, depending on the topic, the research period for a book can be emotionally draining.

Spending weeks poring over historical documents that showcased America’s history of blatant SANCTIONED racial hatred was emotionally exhausting.

How do you, as a grown adult, justify making and carrying a coffin with a little black doll to intimidate a SIX-year-old from getting an education? How do you justify waking up every morning to line up outside of her school to spew hate and make death threats?

What was (and still is) the most heartbreaking for me is that 58 years after Ruby became the first black student to integrate an elementary school in the South, education inequity and inequality (in so many states) is probably worse now than then. And will deteriorate even more with Betsy DeVos continuing as Education Secretary.

But there’s hope. Ruby’s story is a reminder that change can be made if there are people willing to be uncomfortable. I say uncomfortable because real systemic changes will never happen if we’re not willing to speak up, stand up, and fight even when it threatens our happy and cozy existence.

I’m thankful that I get to share her story with a new generation of children who will hopefully go forth and make their own mark for justice. Click here to buy the book.