Lucille Bridges

April 3, 1960
My baby, Ruby, deserves the best. She needs to take that test
but her father isnt too happy bout it. That test will determine if Ruby
is as smart as those white folks and will allow her to be integrated into

an all-white school. He dont want no part in school integration. He is

concerned about the consequences and what the other folk will think of
us. I understand his concern but nothing will change in the future if we
dont do something now. I believe we can handle the retaliations. We
are a strong willed family. Dont get me wrong, I am scared to death
but everyone fears the unknown. Although there are many things I
dont understand, we can overcome anything as a family and with the
help of the good lord. Right now he is giving us this wonderful
opportunity for our daughter to open the door for others to receive the
same education as the white folks. This is just a stepping stone into
equality for all people! I just have to make him see it my way. I know
she is only five but I believe in my heart she can handle the criticism.
My baby aint no coward. I am determined to make him understand.
Ruby will take that test and pass with flying colors!

April 15, 1960

I have finally convinced my stubborn husband that my baby should
take that test. It took a lot of convincing but he now sees the
opportunities it will have for our baby Ruby but is still unsure of the
consequences that will happen. I dont know either and that scares the
hell outta me but I know in my heart it will be for the greater good. Im
just excited I got him to finally come around to letting Ruby take that
test! He sees the benefits but is scared of the repercussions it will have
on our family. I dont know what will happen to our family if Ruby
passes but I know there is still so much we dont know. All I know is
that the rest will be figured out as it comes at us. Just gotta take baby
steps. We cant take more than we can chew. If Ruby fails that test
then it wasnt meant to be and nothing will change for our family. It will
all depend on the test and how well Ruby does. The effects this test will

have on the course of history are huge because it will prove that us
blacks are just as smart and deserve the same opportunities as the
white folks. They are not better and it is bout time they realize it. Im
terrified but just gotta keep pushing forward and staying strong.

April 20, 1960

The day has come! I convinced my stubborn husband that Ruby

needs to take this test to prove she, as well as others, deserve the
same education as white folks. Now it is time to dress my baby up in
her good clothes and get her to that test. Thank god for the court case
Brown vs. the Board of Education. It was five years ago and we still
have a lot to overcome but
if that case hadnt happened this opportunity for Ruby wouldnt even
exist. If that lawyer hadnt been able to convince the judges that
separate but equal is actually unconstitutional, we would still be in the
same old place we have been for years. Im just happy they finally
realized their errors and are acknowledging the fact they messed up.
Oh my! Its getting to that time. Gotta go catch the bus. Gotta make
sure Ruby and I arent late for her to change history! It is all the way
uptown and takes a while. Lets hope she passes and begins the start
of a new era. I know my baby will make me proud. We studied hard for
this and I know she is ready. She will pass with flying colors.

July 7, 1960
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP) visited today, Ruby passed! I knew my girl would pass! She
has been chosen, along with 5 other students, to go to the white school
that is closer to us, William Frantz Public School. The NAACP was telling
us that apparently the test was made in a way to ensure that us

blacks wouldnt be able to pass. They wanted to make it hard on

purpose to try and prove that us blacks arent as intelligent as whites.
That is just crazy. We are people just like them; no one race is smarter
than the other. They have had more educational opportunities which is
the main reason why they would consider themselves more intelligent
but not anymore. The world is beginning to change and they wont be
able to say that for much longer! The civil rights movement is
becoming stronger and we are going to gain more rights than ever
before. The NAACP made us a bunch of promises saying we wont be
harmed and Ruby is going to receive a better education, which I agree
with. They said Ruby had the right to go to a school that would give her
better opportunities for the future. My husband, Abon is still unsure if
he wants to actually go through with sending our baby to an all-white
school because if there is any backlash he doesnt want harm to come
to our family. He believes she shouldnt go where she isnt wanted. He
fought in the Korean War so I understand where he is coming from. I
believe no harm is gonna come to us but there are still so many things
I do not understand. If things do get bad, how bad are they gonna get?
Will my family be in danger? Is she the only one? I still have so many
questions but the opportunity is just so great.

September 23, 1960

Well, Ruby wont be starting at her new school. Good thing I
hadnt told her yet. She didnt know any better when she started at her
old school. It wouldve been harder if I had told her. Those darned law
makers are making this herder on us for no reason. Their trying to slow
integration but they cant slow down the future forever. We will make
history and have them realize separate but equal is not working. It was
never working. They have passed 28 new integrations laws, which is
just ridiculous. The judge must agree because he created a deadline so
that Ruby and the four other children can start at their new schools. He
must realize the law makers are in the wrong and sees the benefits for
all children. Separate but equal is not equal. Im just glad someone is
finally making some sense with all this. The judge ordered the deadline
to be Monday, December 14. So everything should and will be figured
out by then and Ruby will be able to begin her journey into creating

better opportunities for everyone. I cannot wait to see what doors this
opportunity will open for my baby Ruby as well as everyone else. This
is a major step for the civil rights movement and I couldnt be more
proud that our family is involved with it. It is time for a brighter future
for all.

September 30, 1960

Them lawmakers are just impossible. I swear they are just
ridiculous. It should not be this hard to realize that we deserve the
same opportunities as whites. Our lives are just as important. I know it
will get figured out by Monday, November 14th but this journey until
then is just stressful and were going into the unknown. The unknown is
scary but I just gotta stay positive. Thank goodness for our health and
the fact that we have each other to lean on. I cant imagine doing this
without the support of my husband because so many are doubtful and
judge us for allowing Ruby to take that test. Soon they will find out we
did more than just allow Ruby to take the test. I cant imagine what
others are going to say to us when Ruby goes to that new school. How
am I gonna gently break the news to Ruby, she is so comfortable in her
current school? How is she going to handle it? I hope I havent made a
bad decision, deciding for Ruby to go to the all-white school.

November 12, 1960

Two days until the judges deadline for Ruby and the other
students to start their new schools. The worst part about this is Ruby
will be starting this school by herself. The other girls are starting at
another school. There were supposed to be 5 girls in total starting at

the schools but one of the girls family got scared and backed out.
Should we back out? Im terrified. We dont know what the
consequences are gonna be but I still just keep looking at the future
and knowing overall it will give my babies better opportunities. It may
seem impossible now but over time I know the benefits will outweigh
the negatives. It will be a long and tough journey. I need to be there for
Ruby but I also need to go to work. Hopefully I can take off for at least
the first two days. This is gonna be a stressful time once Ruby walks
through those doors in that school. I need to stay strong for Ruby. This
is gonna to be tough on everyone. I think I will tell Ruby about her new
school tomorrow. I hate all this not knowing but my family and I just
need to remember to be strong. If I break the news gently hopefully
she will take it well we will see its time we prove that we are just
as smart and capable as everyone else. I will explain this as best I can
to Ruby.

November 13, 1960

I broke the news to Ruby today. I explained to her that it is going
to be unusual for her as she begins at the new school. We still do not
know where she is going to be which is adding more stress onto an
already stressful situation. I told my baby, there are going to be a lot of
people but there is no need to be afraid, I will be with you. I refuse
to let her go there alone. She seemed to take the news okay but I think
she is still confused about why she has to change schools and leave
her friends. This is terrifying for me and once Ruby realizes how big of
a deal this is and how hateful people can be, I cannot imagine how she
will be feeling as well as how the crowd is going to be towards us. I just
hope my being there will allow her fears to subside just a bit. I need to
stay strong and not show my fear because that wont do no good for

her. I dont want to scare her but she needs to be prepared and I told
her that. I just hope I prepared her enough. She asked me why she is
changing schools because she likes the one she is at now and I told her
she will receive better opportunities at the school she will be going to.
Lets hope they dont make a liar outta me. I know this is the right
decision because I feel it in my gut but I dont want no harm coming to
us. All the unknowns about this are killing me. I know people can be
cruel but she is just a child so they cant be too cruel, right? They have
to have some humanity. Ruby doesnt even understand racism. She
hasnt experienced the hatred that I fear will be shown tomorrow. We
just gotta keep our faith and pray. I told Ruby to pray. It may be the
only way we get through this situation. As long as we support each
other and have faith we are unstoppable.

November 14, 1960

It has been a long day. I feel I aged fifty years in today alone. I
took special care getting Ruby ready for school today. She looked so
cute in her dress! That was the only positive from today. I had thought
people from the NAACP were coming to take us into the school but
apparently the judge rushed Federal Marshals to New Orleans to take
all the girls to their schools. The other three girls started at McDonough
while my Ruby attends William Frantz Elementary by herself. I count
my lucky stars that I was able to be with her today and again
tomorrow. Today was awful. when we wlked in to the building thye were
hold signs and chanting two, four, six, eight, we dont want to
integrate; eight, six, four, two, we dont want a chigeroo.We sat in the
principals office and all the parents took their students out of school.
They didnt like that Ruby was starting school there. It was ridiculous.
We are people, we have feelings. Watching all those parents take their
children out of school like we were a disease or something was
horrendous. What if the roles were switched? They should try walking
in our shoes one time and that would give them a whole new
perspective. Ruby had to be escorted to the bathroom by the
marshals! I knew it would be bad but I didnt realize people would have
this many hard feelings towards integration. It is our future and they
need to accept it. At least my Ruby is going to get the opportunities

and education she deserves. Once three oclock rolled around we

finally left, the crowds have gotten even bigger. As we were walking
through the crowds I noticed a coffin with a black doll inside. It was one
of the most eye opening moments because thats when I realized they
didnt care that Ruby is just a child. They wanted blood. I just thank the
lord we had the Federal marshals and the crowd couldnt follow us to
our neighborhood. Our street had police barricades to prevent through
traffic, only local traffic was allowed in. Once we got home Ruby
wanted to go out and play with her friends. She deserved a break. As
she was playing, I turned on the TV and thats when I realized the
whole world is talking about and watching my Ruby. That is the
moment I was most terrified.

November 16, 1960

Well, there was some progress today. We were brought to the
school by the federal marshals but we actually got Ruby into the
classroom with her teacher! She is the only student in the class and
needs to be escorted to the bathroom by the marshals but just the fact
that she was in the classroom was a step up. She wasnt allowed to
leave the classroom but at least she was getting an education. I know
this is going to be hard on Ruby and I am terrified but I just have to
keep reminding myself that its going to be a long journey and since we

have started this chapter it cannot be undone. Too much has happened
for us to back out now. We will just have to take the repercussions as
they come. Hopefully these crowds will die down soon and Ruby can
actually enjoy school but I know that wont happen. My poor baby had
to stay and eat lunch in the classroom with the teacher but at least I
was there to keep her company and so was the teacher, Ms. Henry. Her
teacher seems like a very nice lady. She looks young, like she just
graduated but the fact that she is not giving up on Ruby means the
world to me. The marshals never left from standing outside the door
which was a bit nerve wracking because what did they expect the
crowds to do? I would hope the worst they would do I scream obscene
things in our direction. That I can handle especially since our neighbors
and friends have started to get an attitude with us. They dont agree
with what we are doing but they can mind their own business. What we
are doing is not harming them, if anything it helping them but with all
the tension in our area right now I know its hard to see the benefits.
They will thank us one day and realize what we are doing isnt that
bad. We are helping the civil rights movement so soon all the school
will become integrated and all their children will be able to reap the
benefits that the white children have. Until then my family and I will
just have to deal with the back lash.

December 14, 1960

It has officially been a week since Ruby started the integration at
William Frantz elementary and things have not gotten better. The
parents are still not sending their children to school due to Rubys
presence in the school. Our friends are no longer our friends and there
is tension between my husband and I. I knew this wouldnt be easy but
I sure didnt think it would be this hard. I am still terrified each and
every day for Rubys safety and well-being. She has started seeing a
psychologist to talk about how she is doing. I think it is beneficial for
her because this isnt easy for a girl her age. She is so young to have
to go through all this but for her sake hopefully as the years go on
things will get easier. We know change takes time and thats why were
hoping over time it will improve. I dont want my baby miserable for all
her school years. Thats why I am happy she is talking with someone.
Lord knows she doesnt tell me everything but she does tell me a good
bit which I am thankful for. We have to be able to have that open line
of communication. It is so important, especially with what we are going
through right now.
November 14, 1961

Ruby survived her first year at William Frantz elementary! She

was the only student that whole year but thank goodness for Ms. Henry
never giving up on my baby as well the psychologist helping through
the tough times. I know it was hard on Ruby to be the only student. I
know Ruby wished the other students would show up so she would
have friends and be able to talk to people her age but I couldnt be
more proud of how she has grown this past year. This year she is in
second grade and the other students have come back to school. There
is still racism but at least Ruby is able to socialize with people her age
and make friends. She seems happier this year and I know it is
because she is making friends. This year will be better and the years to
come will improve as well. Hopefully all the racism and hatred will soon
cease but we still have a long way to go for equality and civil rights.
Just the fact that the students are back at school is huge step and I
cant wait to see how much more the future will improve and how
many more opportunities Ruby will have as integration becomes more
and more accepted.