The little black girl was 6 years old when she lived it. Yet now white parents say that their kids older than she was are too young to learn how bad people of color including children were treated by white people. This is our history, the history of our country. This is one reason we need to keep repeating that black lives matter. The white supremacists do not want evil of the mistreatment of back people known but I wonder why. Is it so they can blame black people for their less economic situation today? Is it so they can repeat the same racist attacks? The reason to teach this is to show what we must not let happen again. Also I notice the same people that screamed “fuck your feelings” when trump was president are now showing a lot of feelings. Hugs
Candace McDuffie
·2 min read
U.S. Deputy Marshals escort 6-year-old Ruby Bridges from William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, in this November 1960, file photo.
Even though the Disney film “Ruby Bridges” has been shown during Black History Month in Florida’s Pinellas County for years, it was recently pulled because a parent was worried that it would teach white children about the racism that Black children faced.
Emily Conklin, whose child attends North Shore Elementary parent, refused to let the student see “Ruby Bridges” when it was shown earlier this month. Conklin believed that the movie was inappropriate for second graders.
She made a formal complaint on March 6, stating that the use of racial epithets and images of white folks who harassed Ruby as she walked into a school will allow white children to see the racist history of segregation.
School officials for Pinellas decided to ban the movie at the St. Petersburg school until a review committee can evaluate it. This is ultimately a result of Florida parents having more say in deciding what children can see and read in schools.
In an open letter, Ric Davis—who is president of Concerned Organization for Quality Education for Black Students—wrote: “Many from historically marginalized communities are asking whether this so-called integrated education system in Pinellas County can even serve the diverse community fairly and equitably.”
He continued: “The (Pinellas) district’s leadership appears to fear the potential consequences of not acting in the way they have on these two decisions. This approach to challenging times in education in our state raises serious questions about Superintendent (Kevin) Hendrick’s leadership.”
The demographics of enrollment in Pinellas district schools is 51% white, 20% Hispanic, 19% Black and 4% Asian, according to state records. The rest of the students enrolled are of Native American or Pacific Islander descent or are categorized as belonging to two or more races.
Conklin was one of two parents who refused to let their children watch the movie after the elementary school sent out permission slips, which included a link to a trailer two weeks before the movie before was shown to classes.
The cancellation of all showings of the PG-rated 1998 film "Ruby Bridges" at North Shore Elementary—following a factually inaccurate complaint by a lone parent who had not watched the whole movie—violated @my_pcs policy, reports @JuddLegumhttps://t.co/Mcvbkpb2uQ#BlackHistory
Ruby Bridges needed guards to walk her through a violent mob when she was 6 just so she could go to school, but apparently second graders in Florida are too young to learn about it. https://t.co/9j5dPDJcF9
After a White parent complained that a film about Ruby Bridges might cause White students to hate Black students, officials of North Shore Elementary in St. Petersburg, Florida, has removed access to the film for all students.https://t.co/col0Rvi2s0
— The Black Wall Street Times (@TheBWSTimes) March 27, 2023
She made a formal complaint on March 6, stating that the use of racial epithets and images of white folks who harassed Ruby as she walked into a school will allow white children to see the racist history of segregation.
It’s Florida. The higher-ups (notice it wasn’t the teacher or the curriculum) are looking for excuses to cancel anything having to do with civil rights, and those parents gave them the excuse they needed.
So, how far does this go? Just sit around and let them white wash history? Are people going to get mad and put a stop to this? I really don’t know, it seems they are getting away with re-writing history to placate Conservatives.
I am an older gay guy in a long-term wonderful relationship. My spouse and I are in our 33rd year together. I love politics and news. I enjoy civil discussions and have no taboo subjects. My pronouns are he / him / his and my email is scottiesplaytime@gmail.com
View all posts by Scotties Playtime
5 thoughts on “Shameful: ‘Ruby Bridges’ Film Banned From School Because White Parents Feeling Some Kind of Way”
I think these people biggest worry is identifying Grandma in the crowds doing the taunting.
Hello Muttpupdad. I wondered the same thing. Don’t want the neighbors to know just how racist the family was and still is. Why are these people so worried about the white kids feelings learning history but totally unconcerned about black kids the same young age facing racism right now, this day, every day? That is what is really eating me about the situation in Florida where one maga Christian parent can override the rights of all the other parents to push a white Christian narrative yet not one person in charge gives a damn about the parents of the black children who are experiencing current discrimination and who deserve to know their history including how the white people over generations have treated their ancestors. We are looking at a skewed situation where only one small minority gets to dictate to the majority what is taught, how it is taught, and it is scary the fast take over of a militant minority in the red states. It is like the take over of the Taliban in Afghanistan right as the US was leaving the country. Hugs
Scottie, to the bigots black people are lesser humans and need to be pushed aside (or, more preferably, eliminated) so the “pure white folk” can live their privileged lives without guilt.
Hello Nan. Sadly yes. But to those same bigots so am I and Ron, along with all the rest of the LGBTQ+. I thought we had made such gains in acceptance and understanding, but then I thought the same about racism when Obama was elected. I thought we had crossed a threshold that we couldn’t be taken back over. But I was wrong. I failed to understand how angry and desperate the religious rabid right is. When you look at all the republicans in the red states pushing this stuff they are all proudly members of a fundamentalist religious church. They are all Christian warriors for their god / their faith. It is scary that they got so many in these positions but that is what these religions did to try to take back “their” country. They started at the local levels and then the state legislatures which is where these laws are coming from. It is something that should worry everyone, especially women and minorities. Hugs
Scottie's Playtime 
I think these people biggest worry is identifying Grandma in the crowds doing the taunting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hello Muttpupdad. I wondered the same thing. Don’t want the neighbors to know just how racist the family was and still is. Why are these people so worried about the white kids feelings learning history but totally unconcerned about black kids the same young age facing racism right now, this day, every day? That is what is really eating me about the situation in Florida where one maga Christian parent can override the rights of all the other parents to push a white Christian narrative yet not one person in charge gives a damn about the parents of the black children who are experiencing current discrimination and who deserve to know their history including how the white people over generations have treated their ancestors. We are looking at a skewed situation where only one small minority gets to dictate to the majority what is taught, how it is taught, and it is scary the fast take over of a militant minority in the red states. It is like the take over of the Taliban in Afghanistan right as the US was leaving the country. Hugs
LikeLike
Scottie, to the bigots black people are lesser humans and need to be pushed aside (or, more preferably, eliminated) so the “pure white folk” can live their privileged lives without guilt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Nan. Sadly yes. But to those same bigots so am I and Ron, along with all the rest of the LGBTQ+. I thought we had made such gains in acceptance and understanding, but then I thought the same about racism when Obama was elected. I thought we had crossed a threshold that we couldn’t be taken back over. But I was wrong. I failed to understand how angry and desperate the religious rabid right is. When you look at all the republicans in the red states pushing this stuff they are all proudly members of a fundamentalist religious church. They are all Christian warriors for their god / their faith. It is scary that they got so many in these positions but that is what these religions did to try to take back “their” country. They started at the local levels and then the state legislatures which is where these laws are coming from. It is something that should worry everyone, especially women and minorities. Hugs
LikeLike