Suggested Works and Activities
Ruby Bridges
When, in 1960, the United States Federal government ordered the integration of New Orleans Public Schools, a young African American student and her family were thrust into the national spotlight. Ruby Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi in 1954. In 1957, her family moved to New Orleans where her father worked as a custodian and her mother cleaned floors at a bank. The entire family was actively involved with their church and their neighborhood community. When, backed by the NAACP, six year old Ruby was assigned to a first grade classroom in the William Frantz Elementary School, the President called-up Federal marshals to maintain order and insure safety. Ruby became the only student attending Frantz as hostile white parents withdrew their children. Despite the imposing barriers which Ruby faced, she continued to attend Frantz Elementary from which she graduated, moving on to finish high school.
Students will learn of her courage and determination in this struggle through a book, The Story of Ruby Bridges, by Robert Coles, and a Disney made for television movie, "The Ruby Bridges Story." Both of these works clearly show the hatred and potential violence present in the mobs of angry people Ruby faced as she entered school each day. At the same time, each presents the positive image of Ruby's white teacher from New England who helps Ruby to cope with the situation. Despite the imposing barriers which Ruby faced, she continued to attend Frantz Elementary from which she graduated, moving on to finish high school. The support of her family is clear in the book, as it is also in the film. The film, however, adds another dimension by showing the conflicting feelings of Ruby's father who does not want his daughter used as a pawn. The film also examines the attitude of the black community and the related loss of her father's job. Another film which examines the same issues is "The Earnest Green Story," which chronicles the story of integration at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
In both cases, students will attempt to place themselves in similar situations with pupils speculating how they and their families and communities would react. This will be done through discussion and written form. The strength of the individuals, families, and communities involved will be focal points.
Events of Today
Suggested Works and Activities
Reparations
In 1969, Civil Rights militant, James Forman, spoke to the congregation at New York City's Riverside Church demanding $500 million for the ancestors of slaves. Despite some donations, Forman never reached his goal. Besides Forman, many still are seeking "the 40 acres and a mule" promised to blacks after the Civil War. Voices advocating reparations have reinforced this movement. John Conyers submitted a bill requesting a congressional commission to study reparations. Randall Robinson author of the book, The Debt: What America owes to Blacks, has placed the issue in the public eye. Students will be made aware of the controversy and discuss the practicality and worthiness of such payments.
Current Events
Teachers need to be constantly aware of current stories concerning people who stand up to the injustices they see in society. Pupils need to know that such courageous resistence is still being displayed, courage that someday they may be called upon to display.
Sharing with Other Classrooms
Throughout, attempts will be made to share material with other classrooms. The film on Ruby Bridges, sharing the artistic contribution by artist like Jacob Lawrence, and reading books such as Aunt Harriet's Underground Railway in the Sky and the Addy series will be presented to other classrooms. A culminating assembly depicting the contributions of ordinary individuals, their families, and communities will be present as the unit ends.