Film ‘Ruby Bridges’ banned in a Pinellas County school

‘Once again, a single parent provoked the district’s action toward censorship, and the district failed to follow the process when petitioned.’

BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, PH.D., Contributor

ST. PETERSBURG — As the controversy surrounding Toni Morrison’s book, “The Bluest Eye,” continues to swirl, it appears the district may have once again shot itself in the foot by banning the showing of a film depicting Ruby Bridges’ story at an elementary school. Reports indicate that, once again, a single parent provoked the district’s action toward censorship, and the district failed to follow the process when petitioned.

I was stunned to hear the news and thought it must be an idle rumor. I asked myself, what objection could there possibly be to a historical fact of courage and an attempt to obtain an equal education in America? For those unfamiliar with Bridges’ story, here is a brief summary.

Sixty-three years ago, Ruby Nell Bridges was a 6-year-old African-American girl and the first to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. She was one of six Black children who passed a state-mandated exam to attend school. The five other students chose to attend elsewhere.

Once admitted, little Ruby faced hostile protestors and racial slurs. She was escorted to school each day by United States Federal Marshals. Former United States Deputy Marshal Charles Burks described the young Miss Bridges this way: “She showed a lot of courage. She never cried. She didn’t whimper. She just marched along like a little soldier … we’re all very proud of her.”

White parents withdrew their children from the school, and only one white teacher agreed to teach the 6-year-old. Little Ruby and her teacher occupied a classroom all alone for an entire year. In further retaliation, her father lost his job; the local grocery store would not allow her parents to shop, and her grandparents working as sharecroppers in Mississippi, were thrown off the land.

Today, Bridges is a civil rights advocate for racial harmony who firmly believes none of us is born racist or genetically predisposed to racism, prejudice, and hate. Her story was captured by renowned artist Norman Rockwell’s painting, “The Problem We All Live With,” and was originally published in “Look Magazine” in 1964.

So here we are 63 years later, and the salient question is whether or not a high-ranking district administrator, in violation of existing policy, directed a school administrator at Northshore Elementary in St. Petersburg to remove a film depicting the Bridges story. According to a prevalent rumor, Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick encouraged administrators to recognize and celebrate Black History Month, and Northshore Elementary did so in part by showing the film “Ruby Bridges.”

Permission slips were sent home to the scholars’ parents, and all but one parent consented. The opt-out option was granted to the parent who did not want their child to view the film, and the student was not required to do so. As I understand the policy, the school did what was required.

Apparently, someone contacted the school administration to protest the showing. However, as fate would have it, the film had already been shown, followed by an effective lesson. Nonetheless, a district administrator allegedly directed the school to remove the film and never show it again.

Regrettably, the political environment surrounding MAGA Republicans, Mothers of Liberty and Governor Ron DeSantis continues to foster a movement of division, historical denial and instability. Teachers, for the most part, are confused and fearful. Why shouldn’t they be? Even when they do the right thing, louder voices from the MAGA crowd appear to have the power to get their decisions reversed and possibly get them fired.

Black history, Native-American history and Hispanic history, though not always glamorous, are American history and cannot be denied. Additionally, it should not be discarded because a governor and his constituents allege its teaching adversely impacts white students. Why is it permissible to teach white scholars Black folks were enslaved but not permissible to teach them about African American contributions to America and the world and the struggles they encountered and continue to experience as citizens of the United States of America, where the  creed is “liberty and justice for all?”

Our forefathers, Black and white, male and female, who were persons of conviction, confronted trials and problems that required them to make decisions that shaped America. Their actions are valuable lessons that all of our scholars can benefit from and must be taught if America is ever to live out the true meaning of its creed and become what it professes to be in all of its grand statements and aspirational goals. We must dispense with the culture wars, embrace unity and reject divisiveness.

Weeks ago, we watched the scholars in Palm Harbor University High School’s International Baccalaureate Program display undeniable courage and wisdom, and 63 years ago, a 6-year-old Ruby Bridges and her parents set an example for those committed to “liberty and justice for all” to follow. Why shouldn’t our young scholars, and the parents who do not object, be allowed to see, hear, read, and benefit from this piece of American history?

There may be a question about the district’s action regarding the film “Ruby Bridges,” but there is no question that the Northshore Elementary School administrators and teachers are to be commended for their commitment to fully educating our children. Once again, Ruby Nell Bridges is making a valuable contribution to justice and equality in America — 63 years later.