66 years ago, Ruby Bridges was thrust into the 1960’s civil rights movement when she became the first black student to integrate a New Orleans elementary school.  Rare footage from the 1961 documentary “The Children Were Watching,” shows Ruby being escorted by federal marshals to protect her from angry crowds.

Bridges thanked those who provided the footage and thanked Selena Gomez for using her 180 million follower platform to share the story. (Source: Today.com)

 

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@selenagomez thank you for this Amazing Platform today

A post shared by Ruby Bridges (@rubybridgesofficial) on Jun 14, 2020 at 10:02am PDT

Here’s the footage. *Note Strong Language Included*

 

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This footage hasn’t been seen before now. It will show the courage that our Black & Brown Families had during the Civil Rights Movement of 1960! I also wanted to highlight a story that’s connected to my story. I felt like it was important to show our Brown brothers and sisters that they were also involved in the Civil Rights Movement, especially that day when I entered the school. You will see footage that highlights the courageous Gabriel family and moments around Daisy Gabriel, a mother who was trying to bring her daughter to school the day that I integrated the school. It is such a heart wrenching video to see the sacrifices she had to make trying to bring her daughter to school that day as well. It was important to me to show her story to the world. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ It’s your legacy too!⠀ ⠀ ⠀ United We Must Continue Stand! ⠀ To see the documentary, “The Children Were Watching”, in its entirety, please click the link in my bio @RubyBridgesOfficial. Special Thxs to Drew Associates for providing the Amazing Footage, @brnctt @leovolcy for their editing expertise and our Sister in the Struggle … SELENA🙏🏽⠀ ⠀ — Ruby Bridges (@rubybridgesofficial)

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Jun 14, 2020 at 10:18am PDT

Selena Gomez wrote, “It was very important for me to share this with you because I think it will help you to understand why I think we Black and brown sisters and brothers need to stand united in this fight to save Black and brown lives,  I want you to remember that it is all of our shared history. This is your legacy, too.”

Indeed it is. ~Randi