A small team of us, (Bhikshuni, Virangini and Harita), travelled to Memphis to attend the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival held in the grounds of the National Civil Rights Museum.
We are all big fans of Ruby Bridges, and were also inspired to reconnect with the wonderful people and vision of the Museum, which we visited when we ran through Memphis last year with our International team.
The Civil Rights Museum is on the site of the historical Lorraine Motel, the location where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Before that event, the motel was a crucial resource for African Americans during the segregation era, offering a safe and accessible place to stay, especially in a time when many hotels were not open to them.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -Martin Luther King
The Festival is an annual event which celebrates reading, diversity, and community. Thousands of books for children of all ages are available to the public for free- maximum of ten books per person! We were all struck by the diverse range of really inspiring books!
We even got Ruby Bridges tattoos!
There were many fun interactive activities!
Everyone loved the bubbles!
We were really happy to reconnect with Dr Russell Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum and former recipient of our Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award. Last year he gave our team the most inspiring guided tour of the museum. He captured our hearts with his passionate dedication to preserving the legacy of the Civil Rights heroes for future generations to remember and learn from.
We were thrilled to get books signed by Ruby Bridges.
In November 1960, 6-year-old Ruby became the first Black child to attend and desegregate an all-white elementary school in the Louisiana. Escorted into William Frantz Elementary School by four U.S. Marshals, little Ruby spent her first day of school waiting in the principal's office, where not one person spoke a word to her or her mother.
By the second day, white parents had removed their children from the school and Ruby became the only student in her class for an entire year. Despite facing a crowd of angry white citizens every day, Ruby returned each day and went on to become a civil rights hero who paved the way for equal access to education for generations of African American students.
This is the famous Norman Rockwell painting "The problem we all live with" which depicts Ruby being escorted to school by U.S. marshals in 1960.
The greatest lesson I learned that year in Mrs. Henry's class was the lesson Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to teach us all: Never judge people by the color of their skin. God makes each of us unique in ways that go much deeper. -Ruby Bridges
There was a kids protest march which we could make our own signs for!
The march went around the tent.
Dory Lerner, Education Manager at the museum, oversaw all the events and was a super enthusiastic leader of the march!
Being with kids always gives us so much hope for the future!
There were several people who read their book to the children, including Dr. Michael G. Long who read his book about Bayard Rustin and civil resistance: Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington.
Ruby chose to read from her latest book, A talk with my teacher, which tells how she reunited with her first grade teacher, Mrs. Henry, after over 30 years.
The children were captivated by Ruby's story!
We were really happy to reconnect with Dory Lerner, who is a bundle of enthusiasm and energy! we look forward to working together in the future!
We were greatly honored to have the opportunity to offer Ruby Bridges our Torch-Bearer Award in recognition of her great courage and dedication to sharing her story for the empowerment and inspiration of future generations.
Virangini feels a special connection with Ruby's story since she is a similar age, so grew up in the same era.
A big thank you to Ruby Bridges, her team, and the team of volunteers and Civil Rights Museum Staff who worked so hard to create such an inspiring event! We were most grateful to take part!
Let the children know that we strive together with a clear mind for peace.-Sri Chinmoy
This young girl was eager to meet Ruby and thank her for all she has done and continues to do!
Don't follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength and conviction, the only thing that can stop you is you! -Ruby Bridges
Torch carried by Bhikshuni Weisbrot(United States),
Harita Davies(New Zealand),
Virangini Afzal(United States).
The torch has travelled
in Memphis, Tennessee.