Heroes

Last week, my daughter gave her first oral report. 

She had to choose a “blast from the past”, write a report and do an oral report to the class about that person.  There were times during the project that I was cursing it.  My daughter is in second grade.  My son did this project in third grade.  I felt like it was too big of a project for second grade – after all, she doesn’t know how to write a report.  She doesn’t know about introductions, beginnings, middles, ends and conclusions.  She doesn’t know how to type.  She doesn’t know how to do research.  I felt like I had to do a lot of the project in order for it to get done.  We read the books together, made lists, worked on sentences, etc.  I do feel like she worked hard and did her best.  And, I filled in the rest for her.  Which I am sure is what happened at all the houses. 

By the end of the project, however,  I was glad for it.  It gave my daughter the chance to learn about someone from the past that actually did something wonderful.  It gave her a “hero”.

She chose to report on Ruby Bridges.  The reason?  My daughter saw the pictures of Ruby and decided that Ruby looked like her.  And, in the artist renditions she does.

Ruby Bridges is still alive, but what made her famous happened in the past.  It was fifty years ago this month that Ruby first walked to the segregated school that her family had been persuaded to let her attend. 

A lot of kids seem to look up to people that make most mothers squirm (Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Michael Jordan, etc.) but this project taught my daughter about a brave little girl that had to do a very hard thing.  It taught my daughter about a little girl who had the faith in God to do what she needed to do.   Ruby’s story demonstrates much courage and hope. 

I’m happy to have learned more about Ruby Bridges as well.  I’m happy to have her be among my daughter’s heroes. 

I’m especially happy that we’ve come so far in fifty years.

Recommended reading: The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles