Community Remembers Historic Walk on Ruby Bridges Day
The Barstow community honored a young girl's historic first steps toward school desegregation on Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, Friday, Nov. 14.
In 1960, Ruby Bridges became one of the first Black students to attend William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans. Her enrollment was a direct result of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which declared school segregation unconstitutional.
A first grader at the time, 6-year-old Ruby was escorted to school by U.S. federal marshals for her own safety amid violent protests. On Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, students at schools across the country walk to school together to honor Ruby and to continue the conversation around ending racism and all forms of bullying in schools.
A first grader at the time, 6-year-old Ruby was escorted to school by U.S. federal marshals for her own safety amid violent protests. On Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, students at schools across the country walk to school together to honor Ruby and to continue the conversation around ending racism and all forms of bullying in schools.
Because Barstow students live in neighborhoods throughout the metro area, walking to school isn't a possibility for most. So the Black Student Union invited families, faculty and staff to gather at the Church of the Nazarene, just south of Barstow, for a short but meaningful walk to campus together. They served doughnuts and hot chocolate to about 250 students, parents, teachers and staff — and offered conversation prompts for reflection as they made their way to school:
- What is a positive change you’d like to make in the community?
- What are some challenges you may face?
- Who can support you?
