Ruby Bridges Quotes

Inspiring Quotes from Ruby Bridges: Courage, Equality, and the Fight for Justice

To understand how Ruby Bridges' life and words can inspire you to act with courage and work towards equality, consider these key points:

• Ruby Bridges was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, known for her bravery as the first African American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school.
• Her life demonstrates the power of resilience in the face of intense adversity
• Her quotes emphasise the importance of equality, education, hope, love, and community.
• She believes racism is a learned behaviour, and adults must stop passing it onto children.

For more detailed information on how these themes played out in her life and more of her quotes, continue reading the full article. The insights gained will offer a deeper understanding of her legacy and how to apply her lessons of courage, empathy and justice in your own life.

Introduction

Ruby Bridges stands as an iconic figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, her name synonymous with bravery, resilience and the pursuit of equality. At just six years old, she became a pivotal figure when she desegregated an all-white elementary school in the South, facing intense adversity with remarkable courage. This article delves into the profound quotes and insights of Ruby Bridges, exploring the themes that have defined her legacy and continue to inspire millions. It emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity, learning from the past, and striving for a more just future.

Ruby Bridges' Life and Historical Context

• Early Life and Family:
  • Ruby Bridges was born on September 8, 1954.
  • Her parents were sharecroppers from a small town in Mississippi, for whom education was a luxury. They valued education and saw it as an opportunity for their children.
• Desegregation of William Frantz Elementary School:
  • On November 14, 1960, at the age of six, Ruby became the first Black student to attend an integrated school in the U.S..
  • She was escorted by four U.S. Marshals, highlighting the severity of the situation.
  • Angry crowds of white citizens protested her presence, shouting racist remarks and threats as she entered the school.
  • Objects were thrown at her.
  • On her first day, she was forced to wait in the principal’s office because of the chaos.
  • White parents pulled their children out of the school in protest.
• Her Experience:
  • Ruby was the only student in her class for an entire year, taught by her teacher, Barbara Henry.
  • She experienced profound loneliness at school every day, as she wasn't allowed to go to the cafeteria or play on the playground.
  • She had never seen a white teacher before, but Mrs. Henry was "the nicest teacher I ever had".
  • Her teacher is described as a loving person.
• Representation in Art: Her experience was depicted in Norman Rockwell’s painting, The Problem We All Live With, showcasing her walking between four U.S. Marshals, with a racist term spray-painted on the wall behind them.

Key Themes in Ruby Bridges' Quotes

• Courage and Bravery:
  • "Courage is just fear said with prayers".
  • "Strength isn't the absence of fear; it's the resolve to go on despite it".
  • "Don't follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail".
  • These quotes emphasize that true courage involves facing fear with determination and creating one's own path.
• Resilience:
  • "Resilience is refusing to give up, even when everyone else expects you to".
  • Her life story is a testament to the power of resilience, illustrating her unwavering spirit.
• Equality and Justice:
  • "Equality for all demands a focus on character over colour".
  • "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value".
  • "Schools should be diverse if we are to get past racial differences".
  • "Desegregation is not just a move towards equality; it’s a leap into humanity".
  • These quotes underscore the importance of diversity, equality, and judging individuals by their character rather than their race.
• Education:
  • "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world".
  • Ruby believes that through knowledge, we find the keys to freedom.
  • She also notes that "Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential".
• Hope and Dreams:
  • "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness".
  • "Hope is the heartbeat of the soul".
  • "I believe freedom is about having the opportunity to dream, to have visions, to be able to pursue those dreams and those visions".
  • These quotes highlight the importance of hope and dreams in overcoming adversity.
• Leadership:
  • "Great leaders inspire greatness in others and unite people in common goals".
  • "Empowerment starts with inclusive leadership".
• Change:
  • "Change is the heartbeat of growth and the canvas of progress".
  • "Be the change that you wish to see in the world".
  • "We are not afraid to take a step into the unknown if it will bring about a brighter tomorrow".
  • These quotes emphasize that change is essential for progress and that individuals have the power to initiate it.
• Community:
  • "A community is best defined by shared purpose and mutual respect".
  • "Strong communities are built on trust and cooperation".
  • "In a world where you can be anything, be kind and make a difference in your community".
• Love:
  • "The greatest gift we can offer each other is love".
  • "Love conquers all differences and brings us to the heart of humanity".
  • "Wherever you fight for love, you fight for justice".
  • "Out of the commandments, if you could only keep one, the one you should keep is 'love thy neighbour.' That is the key".
  • These quotes showcase the power of love to unite people and fight for justice.
• Racism:
  • "Racism is a grown-up disease, and we must stop using our children to spread it".
  • "Racism has no place in the hearts and minds of our children".
  • She emphasizes that children are not born racist but are taught by adults.
  • "It’s time to get past our racial differences. We owe it to our children to help them keep their clean start".
  • Ruby sees racism as a form of hate.
• Good and Evil:
  • "We all have a common enemy, and it is evil".
• "Evil looks like you and I. I know what evil looks like, and I know that it comes in all shades and colours".
• "If we don't understand that and come together, then evil will win".
• These quotes highlight her understanding of the nature of good and evil, and the importance of unity in the face of it.
• Faith and Prayer:
  • Her mother taught her that faith was the only thing she could depend on.
  • She prayed for her enemies.
  • "Throughout my life, my prayers have actively sustained me - held me up, carried me through".
    • She had a habit of kneeling at the side of her bed to pray.
    • She prayed that God would forgive the people who did her wrong.
  • These instances demonstrate the importance of faith and prayer in her life.

Ruby Bridges' Perspective on Children

• Children are born with "clean hearts".
• Children do not come into the world knowing how to hate.
• "We owe it to our children to help them keep their clean start".
• Children should not be used to spread racism.
  • "Racism is a grown-up disease. Let's stop using our kids to spread it".
  • "We pass it on to our young people. When we do that, we are robbing children of their innocence".
• Kids really don't care about what their friends look like.
• Children need the opportunity to get to know one another.
• "If we're ever going to get past our racial differences in this country or in the world that is going to come from our children".

Her Legacy and Impact

• The Ruby Bridges Foundation: The mission is to create educational opportunities that allow children from diverse backgrounds to build lasting relationships.
• Her work promotes unity and inspires future generations.
• She has written books and speaks publicly about her experiences.
• Her life is dedicated to ending the ties racism can have on children.
• She wants to inspire kids.
• She acknowledges that "It's taken me a long time to own the early part of my life".
• She also believes that "history is sacred".
• She understands that her experience has come to her for a purpose.

Her Views on Current Issues

• She believes that making schools safe, especially regarding gun violence, should be the next civil rights movement.
• She says that "If you really think about it, if we begin to teach history exactly the way that it happened―good, bad, ugly, no matter what. I believe that we’re going to find that we are closer, more connected than we are apart".
• She notes that "If we are about what is good today, then we that are good, need to come together to fight what’s bad out there".
• She also believes that "we have tolerance, respect, and equality in our written laws but not in the hearts of some of our people".

Her Personal Life

• Her parents greatly influenced her life.
  • She is especially impacted by her father, who shaped her into who she is today.
• She is a mother of four, and her experience of being a parent has given her new perspectives.
• She experienced the tragedy of losing her son to gun violence.

Specific and Impactful Quotes

• "Racism is a grown-up disease, and we must stop using our children to spread it".
• "We all have a common enemy, and it is evil".
• "Don't follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail".
• "We have to judge each other by what's in our heart".
• "If we're ever going to get past our racial differences in this country or in the world that is going to come from our children".
• "Out of the commandments, if you could only keep one, the one you should keep is 'love thy neighbour.' That is the key".
• "Schools should be diverse if we are to get past racial differences".
• "You cannot look at a person and tell whether they're good or bad".
• "Each and every one of us is born with a clean heart. Our babies know nothing about hate or racism".

Ruby Bridges and Related Figures

• Her experiences taught her the lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose teachings she learned in her class, particularly to "Never judge people by the colour of their skin".
• Her quotes align with those of other figures in the Civil Rights Movement, such as Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou, who also spoke about equality, resilience and justice.

Conclusion

Ruby Bridges remains a powerful symbol of courage, resilience, and the fight for equality. Her words and actions continue to resonate deeply, reminding us of the importance of confronting injustice, promoting understanding, and nurturing the potential of every child. By reflecting on her experiences and the lessons she has learned, we are encouraged to apply them in our own lives and in our communities, and to build bridges of compassion, courage, and unwavering resolve. Her voice reminds us that "the seeds of change are within each of us" and that, in unity and love, "we can accomplish profound transformations".

Q: What is Ruby Bridges best known for? A: Ruby Bridges is best known for being the first African American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in the Southern United States in 1960. She attended William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana. Her act of bravery at such a young age is considered a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Q: How old was Ruby Bridges when she desegregated the school? A: Ruby Bridges was six years old when she began attending the integrated school.

Q: What was Ruby Bridges' experience like at the integrated school? A: Her experience was marked by intense hostility and isolation. She was escorted by U.S. Marshals due to threats and protests. White parents withdrew their children from the school, leaving her to be taught alone for an entire year, with her teacher, Barbara Henry. She described this time as very lonely, without friends or access to the cafeteria or playground.

Q: What does Ruby Bridges say about racism? A: Ruby Bridges believes that racism is a learned behaviour and a "grown-up disease". She states that children are born without prejudice or hate, and it is adults who pass on racist ideas and behaviours. She also emphasises that racism is a form of hate that robs children of their innocence.

Q: What role did Ruby Bridges' parents play in her decision to attend the integrated school? A: Her parents were sharecroppers from Mississippi for whom education was a luxury. Her mother "jumped at the opportunity" to sign her up for the integrated school, and her father also supported the decision. Her parents wanted a better future for their children and were not afraid.

Q: What did Ruby Bridges say about her teacher, Mrs. Henry? A: Ruby Bridges stated that she had never seen a white teacher before, but that Mrs. Henry was the nicest teacher she ever had. Mrs. Henry taught Ruby in an otherwise empty classroom for an entire year .

Q: How did Ruby Bridges respond to the hostility she faced? A: Ruby Bridges has said that she prayed for the people who were being hateful towards her. She has stated that her faith helped sustain her during that challenging time and that she was taught to forgive those who wronged her.

Q: What are some recurring themes in Ruby Bridges' quotes? A: Recurring themes include:

• Courage in facing adversity
• Resilience in persisting despite challenges
• The necessity of equality and acknowledgement of diverse values
• The belief that racism is a learned behaviour
• Importance of hope, dreams, love, leadership, change, community, and forgiveness.

Q: What does Ruby Bridges say about the importance of education? A: Ruby Bridges views education as a powerful tool for change and essential for achieving equality and justice. She believes that diverse schools are crucial for children to move past racial differences and encourages teaching history accurately. She also thinks that every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Q: What is the Ruby Bridges Foundation? A: The Ruby Bridges Foundation aims to create educational opportunities like science camps that allow children from diverse backgrounds to form lasting relationships.

Q: What does Ruby Bridges believe about unity and love? A: Ruby Bridges believes that love and unity are central to overcoming adversity. She emphasises the idea of "loving thy neighbour". She states that true unity comes from focusing on what is in someone's heart and that love is a unifying force. She believes people must come together to overcome hatred.

Q: What are some of the most powerful quotes from Ruby Bridges? A: Some powerful quotes include:

• "Racism is a grown-up disease, and we should stop using our kids to spread it"
• "We all have a common enemy, and it is evil"
• "Each and every one of us is born with a clean heart"
• "You cannot look at a person and tell whether they're good or bad"
• "Don't follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail"

Q: What is the significance of Ruby Bridges' story in the Civil Rights Movement? A: Her story illustrates the personal impact of desegregation on children. It highlights the struggle for racial equality in education and the resilience needed to overcome deeply ingrained prejudice. Her actions serve as a testament to the power of one individual's actions towards a more equitable society.

Q: What is Ruby Bridges' message to children today? A: Her message is that racism has no place in the hearts and minds of children. She encourages children to judge each other by what's in their heart and believes that children have a special gift of seeing past racial differences. She also reminds children to pursue their dreams.