On Monday of this week, our nation celebrated Veterans’ Day when we honor those who served in all branches of the military. An event that happened 64 years ago this week, reminded me of our need to remember and honor another kind of veteran, those who put their bodies and lives on the line in our nation’s struggle for racial justice.
On November 14, 1960, a six year old Black child named Ruby Bridges was escorted by four federal marshalls as she entered William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans. Outside the school, a mob of angry white people hurled threats and insults at Ruby. Their efforts to keep the school racially segregated were finally defeated after six years of resisting the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954. However white officials along with parents and school staff continued their resistance by withdrawing white students from the school in general and Ruby’s first grade class in particular. For that entire school year, Ruby was in a classroom by herself along with her teacher Barbara Henry who was the only white teacher willing to be with Ruby. Their courage and persistance paved the way for racial desegregation to continue at the school. The following year, eight Black children were in the first grade class at William Franz Elementary School.
The story of Ruby Bridges is one among thousands of others who paid the price for advancing racial justice on our country. The stories of these veterans are an essential part of American history. The ongoing struggle for freedom and justice for all is not only waged against foreign enemies. It is also waged against forces in our nation that seek to limit or even roll back freedoms for some in order to exercise their own power and control. When it seems that these forces are threatening the very foundations of democracy and freedom, take time to learn about or remember the veterans of the nonviolent movement for racial justice that we call the modern Civil Rights Movement. Their witness reminds us that any of us can be this kind of veteran whether you are a child, youth, or adult. Our nation needs you now.
The video posted below summarizes the story of Ruby Bridges in her own words. For over sixty years, she has continued her service as a veteran for peace and racial justice. Please take the time to watch this short video, and pay special attention to the conclusion in which she emphasizes the need to teach the whole truth of our nation’s history.