Ruby Bridges: Racism Is A Grown-up Disease. Let’s Stop Using Our Kids To Spread It.

[@JoellePretty]

Ms. Ruby Bridges is a complete national treasure, and we are lucky to have her LIVE testimony TODAY. This is not history, this is our lifetime.

[@JoellePretty]

Also, #Colbert, it's not "her" movement, it's OURS.

[@thend4427]

​@@JoellePrettyI think he means she helped start the movement

[@lauralishes1]

The most privileged group crying and being a victim again... yawn

[@jeangriffith8017]

Yes she is!

[@franklaferriere5754]

​​@@lauralishes1 No group cries more than privileged white people. Heck you all are continously spreading the BS White Replacement Lies.

[@shelleyjennings4344]

I’m African American and I have been teaching white, Black, Latino and Asian kids at the elementary school level for many years. Upon learning about Ruby Bridges and Civil Rights, I have NEVER had a white child act or say they felt bad about themselves. Instead they recognize the injustice and the idiocy of racism. It just doesn’t make sense to them. They can’t imagine not having classmates and friends of other ethnicities. When I was teaching (I retired 2 years ago), I made certain to tell them that Ruby Bridges and I are exactly the same age. They were shocked to realize that Ruby’s story didn’t happen that long ago. Children have a strong sense of justice. They recognize wrong when they see it.

[@TheCalicohorse]

Absolutely. I teach high school, and one course is an English 12 that focusses on Indigenous story-telling. We deal extensively with colonization and the residential school system. Reconciliation isn't about blame and shame, and none of my students feel bad about themselves either. They are 100% behind the social justice aims of their learning, and it's a privilege to teach them.

[@MrWascally]

@@TheCalicohorse kudos to both of you history is more than a timeline it's a witness to our knowledge and wisdom then and/vs now and then using that knowledge , all of it , forward always using and advancing ,building on the good rejecting the bad and mistakes but not forgetting so as not to repeat them

[@tompatchak8706]

It blows my mind that this happened in recent history, like right around when the Beatles came out and I’m a big fan of that because of my dad. This happened in 1960 I was born in 1976 that’s 16 years between the two and it’s just mind blowing that people still have to fight for civil rights in a new century

[@Br0nto5aurus]

When I was 7 I went to my dad and said that I had been thinking about slavery because we had been learning about it in school and it gave me a really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. He chuckled and said, "that's called white guilt." We never talked about it again, that feeling passed and never really came back. Two things about that stand out to me: 1) I had just started learning about slavery, so I was almost as ignorant as I could've been at the time. I've learned a great deal about racism in America since then and it's possible that's the reason that feeling never came back. Maybe the solution to white guilt is education, not keeping children totally ignorant. 2) I don't feel I am worse off having felt that. Sometimes it hurts to acknowledge history. It hasn't led to lifelong race-based trauma in my life like the GOP seems to think it does. So maybe white kids will feel a little bad briefly, but I don't think that's a good enough reason to not teach white kids true history. My response whenever someone says something about how white kids' feelings need protecting is, "Math made me feel pretty bad, too. Guess what? I still had to take math."

[@shawnpreston1639]

@@Br0nto5aurusHey, as an African American, I appreciate your story and reading it from your point of view (as a white kid and the talk you had with your dad). And, just like you felt guilty for a while and had to learn how to navigate that feeling; as a Black kid, learning about slavery and the civil rights movement, I felt sad and angry, and I had to educate myself on things too. But, I wouldn’t be as patriotic and humbled to be an American had I not learned the turmoil and sacrifices those before me had gone through. Education includes emotional intelligence. Schools don’t teach that anymore. Nowadays, it’s all about testing, testing, testing and preparing preschoolers for Ivy Leagues. Sharing our experiences enhances us all. That’s what your story did to me.

[@sevenirises]

There is something deeply moving and important in this interview more so than the usual interviews. You could hear a pin drop as she spoke. Beautiful, powerful woman.

[@tompatchak8706]

Calming yet direct and powerful

[@concepcionmenzona-stewart4615]

That’s because white people were in the audience, by which her story stepped on some of those white audience members toes🥺

[@nerissarowan8119]

Or could it have been because they cared what she said? As an Australian, I hadn’t heard her story and it was amazing. ​@@concepcionmenzona-stewart4615

[@Pufflord]

@@concepcionmenzona-stewart4615 You are hateful.

[@drbettyschueler3235]

I have a copy of Rockwell's painting of Ruby. It is so powerful. And Ruby is right, racism is an adult disease that is passed on to the children.

[@jayhaynes4728]

I also have a copy of the Rockwell print. Mrs. Bridges is the picture of courage. So inspiring.

[@mgbl2808]

Racism is a stupid disease. What is the point? Why were they so threatened by a six year old child?

[@johnwebb2442]

Exactly

[@grand2rismo]

Imagine living in a world where people are running for political office claiming racism never existed. Meanwhile in reality, a real person is here showing you what really happened. How sick do you have to be, to stay asleep while this is going on?

[@Sarbet888]

I am sure Nikki Haley had seen the video of a six-year-old child confronting a mass of white racists, but she rejected that part of American history for a few votes.

[@HH-jg4ju]

The problem is that they are saying it's long ago or that they happened pre civil rights like that matter or changed

[@KtotheG]

She was pandering to the conservative base who is extremely hostile to CRT.

[@negloblaxon7616]

How sick do you have to be to want your Oppressor to educate your children?

[@DebKeerveld]

​@@HH-jg4juThey use these black and white pictures to make is seem so long ago (colored photos already existed) but how long ago is it really when this little girl is now a woman only in her late 60's and has an instagram....

[@jeangriffith8017]

Mr. Colbert, you hit is out of the park having this guest on your show. Thank you!

[@justwantresults8768]

Ruby hit the home run. Stephen just provided the ballpark

[@azilbean]

I was literally just teaching about her today to my students. I tried to give some modern context to her story by telling them that she is the same age as their grandparents, and I showed them her website to show them what she's doing today. I will now share this interview with my students to truly bring her to life. This isn't "ancient" history (as I poorly thought when I learned about her as a child), this is CURRENT history in the making!

[@jojoone1099]

This also struck me for a similar reason. People forget that so many people have lived through discrimination.

[@julietchristen]

THANK YOU for teaching them about her!!

[@pgknippel]

I guess you’re not in Florida. Thank you for the work you do.

[@datmeme8967]

Better not let any MAGA parents know about that!

[@JustAnotherGamerUS]

thank you for teaching your students about her❤

[@stevedoesnt]

The fact that she didn’t know what was happening around her, and the hate that people had for her... that incredible juxtaposition makes me so fucking sad for us all. We haven’t done enough to change this thing about ourselves.

[@greenAbbot]

It’s so much easier just to have Nikki Haley tell us it wasn’t really racism.

[@mebeingU2]

@@greenAbbot, exactly!! That picture is so heartbreaking. It’s shameful, yet we’re better…nowhere near perfect, but a little better.

[@edwardroche2480]

Some people have managed to change or perhaps they were just never racist in the first place. But some people are incapable of change, God created one of us he created all of us

[@2blessednorma]

@@edwardroche2480 All are capable of change! It's a choice! When you know better you can choose to do better, educate yourself and make different choices for your family. Our you can cry "reverse racism " or ban books Smh!

[@EdwardLindon]

Really? It makes me envy her.

[@DashingDonal-og2gb]

I am from Europe and remember seeing that Iconic Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post art and thinking why would a little child need police to protect her. I moved to the USA and got drafted into the US Army and understood the problem. So many of my Black friends gave their lives and now we are facing a horrible racist push to hurt little children again

[@laalaa99stl]

It's only fitting that you should have Ruby as a guest during the same show that you get to revel in Ron Desantis' total defeat. In his effort to erase Ms. Bridges, he himself got erased from history!

[@pkp6791]

Exactly. No one will be able to erase the facts about the history of state sanctioned racist aspects of the U .S. God bless Ruby Bridges and so many others who helped the U.S. get closer to actually being a more perfect union! # I’mnotNimrataHaley

[@lauralishes1]

Did you see all those racist white men smiling and helping the black kid go to school in the photo?

[@Arulane]

Couldn’t happen to a more deserving wannabe fascist.

[@COMPFUNK2]

💯

[@icantollie]

Obviously they couldn't have planned that, but the timing couldn't have been better if they could have: a politician who made a name for himself erasing inconvenient or "uncomfortable" history seeing his political fortunes crash and burn as someone who bore witness to, and was part of, that history came to speak her truth and share her story

[@refabyouless1166]

"Because of her, I loved school". This is why good teachers are so important.

[@shawnpreston1639]

Amen! I’m Black, and I live in the Deep South. I repeated the 1st grade because I had fallen behind in my studies. My second go-around I got a different teacher with a white teacher’s assistant. She was a wealthy old lady that volunteered after the death of her husband. She noticed my delayed reading level. She was the first person to pull me aside to tell me I was smart. She did one-on-one reading activities with men in the back of the classroom. One time I was sitting in her lap, and I’d put my dark brown hands against her white hands, and for the first time I’d notice our differences. It was the first time my small brown hands were in the hands of a white person. She saw the bewildering look in my eyes. So, she asked me what was the matter (with a sly grin). I said, “Look!” She said, “Look at what?” With our hands pressed against one another, I said “You don’t see?” in a confused voice. She said, “See what?” By then I was getting frustrated because I guess (as a kid) I couldn’t properly explain what I was seeing and feeling. I didn’t have to because she already knew. She told me she didn’t see anything because she doesn’t see the difference between herself and I. She acknowledged that my small hands were brown and insisted that she was beige - not white - because she was aging and had been out in the sun a little 😊. But, she went on to say that God doesn’t see color: He only sees hearts. She said that if we both cut ourselves we’d bleed the same. She loved me. She favored me. She was like my second mother. I adored her deeply. As it turned out, I didn’t have a learning problem; and, as a matter of fact, I was pretty advanced. All I needed was an educator like her; moreover, she taught me emotional intelligence. Schools don’t teach that anymore. It’s all about preparing for end-of-the-year, state required, exams. Having teacher’s assistance in classrooms are becoming rarer these days. These topics can be taught with emotional intelligence. I was a kid once, and out of all people, a small town southern white woman taught me that I was different and special at the same time. If that can be taught here, it can be taught anywhere in America! 🇺🇸 Sorry for the long post. Seeing this just brought back memories.

[@valoneill1475]

@@shawnpreston1639 beautiful story... ♥

[@TheErikaShow]

As a Black woman, I have often had the conversations around representation for little Black girls, and how being Black in school came with a lot of trauma. Many women who, on the outside, are beautiful and successful and put-together, but on the inside struggle with never feeling good enough. I have talked to friends who got into their 30s and realized they didn’t like themselves…their hair, their “Black” facial features (as if!), anything that made them Black. They talk about being told they were “less” either by the people around them, or the simple indifference of the world around them. Being ignored or targeted as a child is so very damaging, and we often don’t realize this until later. When I was in school, I was usually the only Black girl in my class. At one point, I was one of two Black girls in the entire third grade. I had a teacher who was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was an African woman named Mrs. Kline. She was the same color as me, but very tall, very elegant. I remember thinking she didn’t look like a teacher in any way. She was very sensitive to my position in that class, and only in hindsight do I realize how hard she worked to make sure I felt SEEN. When we worked on our languages (private school rocks), she would include words that would also be useful to a little Black girl like colors, the word ‘hair pick’…just an example. I remember seeing little Black kids in a book for the very first time in her class, because she took the time to find books that included EVERY type of kid (she even found books with wheelchair stories, Native American stories…in the 80’s!). After leaving her class, I rarely had experiences like I did with Mrs. Kline. Most classrooms in Arizona were pure ethnic deserts, seldom recognizing the existence of anyone who wasn’t white, or “white adjacent”. I learned to appreciate the moments like that one. As I got older, I learned to “cling” to my Black teachers, because they were often the only refuge we had in school. They understood the nuances and inconveniences of Blackness, and were there to help us navigate. In jr. high, our Black teachers taught us how to look out for EACH OTHER, and not just ourselves. When I got teased in class for wearing a dashiki, our history teacher took a moment to educate them about why they should shut the hell up. When our friends were unjustly suspended from school, they educated us on what it meant to stand up for our rights instead of just being angry and frustrated. Without those very special, understanding, patient, and wise educators in my life, I am not sure I would have made it through school. They taught me that I was SMARTER than most people would ever know, and that was my secret weapon. They taught me how to be a lady in the world who garnered respect. They taught me how to deal with not always getting my way. And they taught me how to cope in a world stuck on an 8” incline. People truly take for granted the impact these people have on our lives.❤

[@josieb9402]

@@shawnpreston1639 this brought tears to my eyes ma'am! thanks for sharing. 🥰💝

[@AirForceFalcons_9922]

FACTS!!!!!!

[@carleenmulloy481]

Thanks Stephen for having Ruby on the truth will set us free 🙏🇺🇸⚖️

[@lauralishes1]

The most privileged group crying and being a victim again... yawn

[@SirenScorpio]

​@@lauralishes1 whos crying other than you?

[@Shadowband]

​@@lauralishes1You just described tRump and MAGAQNUTS!😂😂😂😂

[@Russcles]

@@lauralishes1 WT actual F is wrong with you? You're coming across as such a frickin racist.

[@fabriclover]

Floriduh banned the children's book about her life. Haven't we learned anything yet?

[@YearsinSeason]

You’re THAT Ruby Bridges… bless you and thank you for your courage, perseverance and determination. A living legend. For simply being a little girl wanting an education… in America. #respect

[@MikeJones-xu3xw]

You could hear a pin drop when Ruby speaks her truth. We will NOT go back in time! #VOTE

[@Rexvideowow]

Trump won. We're going back.

[@rosevale3218]

You're a gentleman, Mr. Colbert. Thank you for your bravery, Ms. Bridges. Because of you some hearts and minds have been changed. Thank you. ❤️

[@lauralishes1]

Definitely! She made realize the most privileged group are crying and being a victim again... yawn

[@jca5366]

​@@lauralishes1 says the one crying in all the comments. Take your hypocrisy somewhere else and learn a few things before being so racist and hateful. Go home Nikki Haley, you're ignorant again.

[@upcoming3341]

@@lauralishes1Ahhh, we found our little victim here. You won’t be remembered. Womp womp.

[@ChristophBrinkmann]

​@@upcoming3341I hope she is referring to the monsters

[@evelyntaylor4470]

​@upcoming3341 She's not a victim. She is a hero. Everyone doesn't have to remember. But hate is always remembered. The KKK, white supremacists, and predators will always keep hate alive.. 😮

[@SpectrumPOV]

Ruby Bridges isn't much older than my parents. This is still recent history.

[@heyheyhey40]

She’s the exact same age as my dad yet my father didn’t integrate until the 12th grade. My mom is 5 years younger and she didn’t integrate until 5th grade.

[@MamaKatt]

She is three years older than my favorite cousin.

[@MamaKatt]

@@heyheyhey40 They didnt integrate until my first year in school.

[@heyheyhey40]

@@MamaKatt such a shame that it took them so long to fully integrate and even still today, schools and communities are segregated.

[@MamaKatt]

@@heyheyhey40 Excuse me but schools are just as segregrated now as they were when I started going to school. Why are you under the impression things have changed?

[@patriciafrazier3113]

Proud to say that "Ruby goes to school" was part of the second grade curriculum when I was teaching. It sparked some of the most meaningful and memorable communication in the classroom. Thank you Ruby!

[@jillsalkin7389]

I wonder if that book has been banned.

[@lindabirkes-lance8915]

Ms. Bridges is 6 months older than me. I can't imagine her bravery to just go to a different school at 6; plus all that she endured that year and her lifetime. I have always been in awe of her. By "always" I mean since I took the initiative to read and learn about her, because of course, I was never taught about her current events in school. My granddaughter will be receiving this book for her 4th birthday in a couple of months. I will proudly read it to her every time I visit.

[@lauralishes1]

Did you see all those racist white men smiling and helping the black kid go to school in the photo?

[@valdeniasimmons2935]

Just an FYI, please search for the age appropriate book about her childhood for your grandchildren along with the new book she authored. The new book is a collection of letters from children concerned about the important issues of the world today. Thank you for taking this extra effort to spread understanding to your family. As Ruby said, we can't always rely on the powers that be to do what is right, but we can buy the books ourselves.

[@lindabirkes-lance8915]

@@valdeniasimmons2935 Good to know, I haven’t looked it up yet. We raised our daughters with understanding of what hate there is in our country. We are telling grandchildren the same. I will search for a specific book about Ruby and her courage.

[@alarcon99]

I love this for you!

[@msauntbea]

She is a national treasure. Thank you Stephen Colbert.

[@carriepickett2687]

I cannot stop the tears flowing down my cheek. I think this experience is so common, especially in the Southern U.S., where as a child you lose that innocence Miss Ruby describes where your awareness of otherism arises such as racism. I grew up privileged as a white child and because racism did not negatively affect me, and my parents were "modern" "progressive" "color blind" I did not realize other households were teaching their kids that boys and girls using different crayons to make self-portraits at school were supposed to stay apart. My first realization that something was wrong was reading a book my mother bought me that I begged her to buy for me; it was a series actually the first six books for the American Girl Doll Addy Walker. She was so pretty she was the doll I wanted for my 9th birthday to be friends with my Samantha doll I received on my 8th birthday. I was just cleaning out my old storage boxes and rediscovered the AG catalogue with my handwritten notes from that very first issue where Addy was featured for sale as the newest doll. It makes me so sad; I waited decades until I could buy myself that doll as an adult inspired by the BLM movement. This experience through reading the Addy books was very important, but it was not like living it firsthand when I was a few years older in middle school at a friend's birthday party dance with boys! I had a crush and wanted to dance with a black boy my age at the party chaperoned with all the parents. What I did not realize was that even though the black children were invited to the party the white children were not expected to dance close together or want to date as a couple. I still remember the silence and stares in the room when he and I innocently danced as cute little 12-year-olds. I know people talk as if racism and otherism is gone and away with, but it isn't. It is still happening today, like the girl I tutored for math/language arts after school as part of an outreach program who told me I was the only "white lady" that took the time to explain contractions to her (she was a high school senior). It crushed me so much to hear this young person's hopefulness for life despite an education system that didn't even care enough to make sure she could read before graduating. She had so many hopes and dreams for her life and the world was doing everything in its power to keep her from living up to her natural potential. Countless times, in my life I witnessed direct or institutional racism. Once your eyes are open to seeing it, it is impossible to live life blind. I am grateful for Miss Ruby coming on as a guest because I needed the reminder, I can still do something positive and buy a book like hers and others for my little girl to read when she starts kindergarten. It is up to us as adults to educate ourselves on these topics so we can be models and teachers for our children and all the children that may be watching us how we treat others. 💖

[@lbazemore585]

Amen

[@mebeingU2]

Carrie, your writing support a kind heart. I hope for nothing but the best for you. Let’s hope others are moved to reflect on what and how they teach children.

[@lydia1634]

I'm white, and when I was six years old, I was horribly bullied by my classmates. We had a picture book about Ruby Bridges, and she was my role model for how to face my bullies with courage and dignity. If she did it, so could I. Her story is specific to ugly racism, and universal to any kid facing rejection by their peers and community. Denying kids the story of a hero their own age isn't going to help anybody. I'm so thankful for this woman and what she taught me when I was six years old. Even if she was just a kid who had no idea the impact of what she was doing.

[@ToughTitty]

What a shame we have been deluded to identify as black white brown… the only time i like to use color is when im describing how someone looks.

[@josieb9402]

wow...the stories in this comment section are amazing.

[@keshaanderson6155]

🥹 that’s beautiful

[@bookbwitched6823]

🌿🌷 Born white in 1956, I knew her story & have participated in civil rights marches, written about the sly & overt continuing blight, taught my children but today I felt & saw that time in a visceral way - i had chill bumps everywhere. Tears on my cheeks. America - land that I love ~ it is time for us to stop this sh-t now, while we stand shoulder to shoulder & fight for democracy. Let us not forget what ALL ~ who all is being threatened. 🇺🇲

[@julietchristen]

THANK YOU.

[@Sarbet888]

I always wonder about people like you, the few courageous whites who were marching in the civil rights movement thanks to your service to the United States of America.

[@2blessednorma]

@@Sarbet888 Some of them were killed unfortunately! Some people are blinded by hate for no reason! I think a couple of college kids that were helping to get folks registered to vote during one of the freedom riders campaigns.

[@catherinechurko4041]

Yes (amongst others) you might be refering to Goodman, Schewarner, and Chaney the 3 volunteers murdered down in Mississippi doing voting rights outreach. While I as a Northern white kid began being taught by my parents about racism Southern -and- Northern around '64 - '65 (11 - 12 yes old): these 3, the Black people being attacked by Bulk Connor etc I learned about a couple of years afterwards. By '66 I was following the news myself. And while I must have seen *Rockwell's painting of Ms Bridges* a few years after he painted it; he -also painted- a picture of *those 3 Civil Rights workers* being confronted, and shot down in the woods of Mississippi. I didn't even know that there was such a painting by Rockwell existed untill the early '00s! It's probably still lesser well known, and still it absolutely stuns you with it's horror. (truly wonderful here and now, though, to see Ruby Bridges on Colbert)

[@hawkeye-m-9e]

I just looked up that, what a heartbreaking memory that shown in all its horror! I can’t think of a few people now who should be reminded of this time in our country!

[@kayecastleman6353]

What an amazing woman... such a gentle, thoughtful soul. She's the calm in the centre of the storm.

[@anthonyfalacejjr5428]

Please have Ruby on again, but for a longer time, what says is from her heart with much wisdom added

[@pizzaruby5140]

What a living legend!! I didn't even know that she was still here, still teaching our children in person. And she looks amazing for 69!

[@BrandonCMaximum]

I remember learning about Ruby Bridges in elementary school and assuming she was no longer alive, because everything in black and white seems to long ago. Not only is she still alive, she’s young! It’s not as long ago as it seems.

[@ObeyAmmalol]

Exactly!

[@marytheresejacksonlutz2533]

Excellent interview! Everyone should know the story of Ruby Bridges.

[@valeriederrick2352]

When I taught first grade, I used a book about ruby's story to teach my students about the civil rights movement. I wanted an experience they could relate to and I thought since Ruby was also in first grade in the story, they might be able to relate to her. They could. It was not traumatic for them, but it did evoke empathy in them. We asked the question "Can one small child make a difference in the world?" at the beginning of our study of Ruby's story. At the end, one wise 6 year old said" We can make a difference not because we are small, but because we are strong." Ruby's story is so important for kids to hear.

[@blunewhouse7528]

"Don't know your past. Don't know your future ". Thank you Ruby from the bottom of my heart 💙

[@douggolden255]

I would not have known about this. Thank you. P.S. Ruby, I'm glad you were so innocent when this happened. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

[@toonlyrics]

Too short, but precious. What a gracious, inspiring lady.

[@marcolozano4169]

The silence from the audience once she was talking about that people taking away them children was like time stopped! Stephen your show makes me cry laughing like hell all the time, but today your show make me cry not for laughing, this interview and Ruby touch so much my soul today, thank you! We are definitely need to mature as fast as we can. We are not the Super Power that we think we are, we are taking for granted God's gift: The innocence of a child!🥲🕊💕

[@warren52nz]

Ahhh... those were the days when "America was great" I guess. What a wonderful woman!

[@mitsumeeshi]

I wish this were a longer interview. Ruby Bridges is amazing.

[@debmarsh6664]

I love Ruby Bridges! I used the movie made about Ruby Bridges when i was a classroom teacher. My students would make comments like, "That is so messed up." We have work to do, but thank you Ruby for being a trailblazer.

[@cpdv6882]

Ruby Bridges' story...... I am so grateful for hers and her parent's courage. She has experienced the extremes of humanity: the ugliest of cruelty and the most beautiful of hearts. Im crying. Thank you Ms. Ruby. ❤

[@judithparsons1920]

Thank you Ruby!! I love the New Orleans Mardi Gras reference!! You are extraordinary. As an art teacher with 725 students- this is a shot in the arm.

[@lazygardens]

I remember seeing her on TV news, accompanied by the guards, when I was in 7th grade. What struck me was the sheer fear on the faces of the people screaming at her ...

[@mallisaunders4565]

Amen Ms. Bridges. I am a teacher and I treasure my diverse classroom. The other day, a student in my class was called the n-word by a student in the other class. I was able to be with her in that moment and tell her how awesome she is. (side note, the other kid got in trouble with the principal). Let us celebrate our children's free spirits and innocent hearts and let them never see with the eyes of prejudice.

[@depp5601]

Thank you Ms. Ruby for being. Thank You Stephen and your staff for having Ms. Ruby on your show. Most excellent.

[@joiedevivre2005]

I had the immense honor of meeting Ms. Bridges a few years ago when she led a discussion about the importance of reading & books at a library in New Orleans, Although I was star-struck & so tongue-tied that I could barely say "hello" to her, I was still very inspired by this warm, caring & amazing person. She is part of the reason I collect books that often appear on Banned Book Lists so that I can use them to supply every Little Free Library I come across. I will now be adding her book to those.

[@7bonk]

Thank you ! This story is heartbreaking, and there's still so much work to do ! Racism is so dumb...

[@tomyoung5449]

LOVE Ruby Bridges. We need her voice of truth and courage now more than ever. I was on the verge of tears watching this interview, feeling joy for her journey and sorrow for the way things seem to be going backward.

[@lisawall9068]

Thank you Stephen Colbert for interviewing Ruby Bridges. Important discussion!

[@jonb8452]

Thank you for this Stephen. You are our testimony Miss Ruby😢❤

[@BlancheFury]

Beautiful segment.

[@2get2Terrapin]

Chills and tears from the very intro to the end. Powerful and meaningful and significant.

[@debbiehanson9201]

I would love to know more about that first grade teacher, who, I would imagine, wasn't exactly beloved in the community for agreeing to teach Ruby when other teachers were quitting rather than teaching African-American students.

[@cloudswinger2000]

If she's from Boston, she'd be called Yankee and other names too. But her name is easily found on the internet. Barbara Henry

[@msjadeli]

Ruby to learn the details of that day and that school year makes me feel so sad and yet so happy that you were shielded from the ugliness and a real angel came to teach you. Thank you for what you are doing for today's children ❤❤❤❤

[@RAD6150]

If the past embarrasses you, fix your present.

[@c4tac133]

This is why we need history!

[@negloblaxon7616]

Reparations and 40 Acres in the present

[@negloblaxon7616]

​@@c4tac133 Reparations and 40 Acres are needed more than Colonizer Controled history.

[@ckd0680]

Love this!

[@carliene9389]

Perfectly said

[@carreyperea9856]

Seeing grown up Ruby is such a treat, i so remember that event and how horribly those people acted outside the school, she is awesome!!

[@nannerz1994]

The fact that this woman is only 69 shows that we have not come as far as we think we have. Also she looks Incredible for 70 she looks like 45 its unreal. Her voice is also so calming

[@TheAureliac]

As a white child her age in the south, I was most amazed by the white women screaming at her. They couldn't even see her as a vulnerable child: they were oblivious to her humanity.

[@patriciareyes7561]

My God, a child at 6 years old just trying to go to school and for people to be so hatful towards her. What we need to remember is she's still alive imagine how many others living at that time are still here with us. When you think about it this was not 400 years ago this was like 60 years ago, that's not a long time people, that's not a long time.

[@amylee8969]

Yes! But the teacher was an sweet angel. She was a hero too. Without her, this wouldn’t have been possible. She was the only white teacher willing to work with Ruby.

[@TheWtfanime]

The fact that the GQP respects someone who travels across states to shot people with a gun more then a civil rights leader who dedicates herself to legitimately making peoples live better shows how corrupt they are. I used to teach elementary school and I’m glad I got to read her books with my students.

[@1truek269]

Facts! And so sad!

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... more than*

[@SBell-fj7mn]

Me too. I could barely read the book to my students without tearing up.

[@h3artands0uLL]

Ruby is an icon. Thank you for this interview, Stephen

[@Kellybelleee]

Thank you for being brave and thank you for the teacher who taught you! I’m a teacher and it’s so wonderful to hear the amazing impact teachers can have! ❤❤❤

[@kevinriddell2105]

That great teacher was Barbara Henry. She is still alive at 91 years of age.

[@dianaflower940]

@@kevinriddell2105thanks! I’m going to look her up

[@m1umo]

Why am I tearing up? She’s smiling through it…

[@derekdecamp1738]

the absolute bravery of that little 6 year old girl cannot be overstated.

[@christinemaney2294]

So (wonder)ful to observe this grown child cutting through the noise to reach the heart of another child; a child with pure wonder who has no agenda, no bias, only sparkling wonder. ❤ Thank you Ruby for knowing exactly what to do with the task bestowed upon you. ❤

[@Babyshoes777]

Thank you for having this kind of conversation. We need more of it

[@donwold1622]

Wow. She is an inspiration. She also has what I believe to be a very accurate understanding of where hate comes from.

[@AnthonyEitnier]

Thank you so much for your interview with Ruby Bridges. Her account of her first day at that school was quite amazing. I hope to see more interviews like this in the future.

[@sherrisandberg6226]

I learned the story of Ruby Bridges through Scholastic and the book: The Story of Ruby Bridges and shared this book with my children. So moving to hear her speak in this interview. The book always made me cry that adults could be so mean to a child. This interview also brought me to tears. May we all learn and hearts melt so that all children can be safe and have access to a good education.

[@r1133rocco]

Amen

[@gwen3010]

Thank you for your bravery Ms. Bridges!! GOD bless you.

[@edwardlulofs444]

If we only have a few more Americans as brave as her, then we will be alright. But I’m not sure if we do ….

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

You know that most of the people who yelled at and isulted her claimed that the same imaginary friend you ask to bless her was on their side, don't you?

[@edwardlulofs444]

@@einundsiebenziger5488 you can lie about loving Jesus, but you can’t fake love ❤️

[@whitecrow1949]

Thank you for this interview. I'm from the same generation. I met the worst (George Wallace, David Duke) and the best (Yolanda King, Jesse Jackson). She was a brave woman.

[@aiedailguardian]

Ruby is indeed an icon. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do, Ruby. ❤

[@Swannson6]

We never talk about the teacher that taught her, a true selfless ally

[@shawnpreston1639]

Yes, I want to know more about her, too!

[@Villagenanny]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6jFZquph7Rkr8Ufeature=shared. This was aired about 10 yrs ago

[@sharonsimon5761]

me too @@shawnpreston1639

[@sharonsimon5761]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpfGapxvnMummpo @@shawnpreston1639

[@e0n555]

⁠@@Villagenanny Thank you for the link! I found this other beautiful interview. When Barbara Henry describes meeting little Ruby for the first time, I lost it. 😭😭 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpfGapxvnMummposi=sLV9Ud7mJ2GyBrB_

[@CallMeGailyn]

I remember. It is so wonderful to see the gift she has come to be in this world. The spirit is love. Blessed be her contributions. ❤

[@edwardlulofs444]

I watched it on TV

[@shawnpreston1639]

@@edwardlulofs444 I’m a young African American, and this was before my time. But, from a white perspective, could you describe to me what that was like - and how it was discussed in your family, if it was at all? If you all don’t mind?

[@edwardlulofs444]

@@shawnpreston1639 well, I guess I could say a lot about this time. My father was a cop and a typical one: politically conservative and fairly racist. I could never understand or accept racism. It was obvious to me that it was all about continued exploitation of people of color. I wanted to be a freedom rider. MLK was and is a hero. But was not able to as I was 10. I remember Ruby Bridges from TV news. I watched MLK’s “I have a dream” on TV. It was wonderful. I’m considered ASD so no social skills. But from the ASD I saw the hypocrisy and corruption of society. None of that helped me fit in. Strangely, a person still acquires behavior from others: I unwittingly sometimes acted racist. Over time, one by one, I was able to see that and correct my behavior. I have developed the theories of the math and physics of diversity but no one cares. My social skills are like code switching: I have learned some skills if I think about them but am not comfortable doing it. Now I see many other groups experiencing discrimination and try to help everyone. Now, like many people, age and disability are taking their toll. So I live simply and quietly. I hope that this helps you.

[@edwardlulofs444]

@@shawnpreston1639 it’s difficult to write on my phone. The midwest of USA was strange. People were as racist as southerners but they tried to hide it. That seemed even more hypocritical than southerners who were openly racist. I have seen little racism before the year 1700. It seems obvious to me that enslaving people by skin color made it easy to discriminate and that created racism and spread it throughout the world. Racism is an evil created and maintained by western culture. People want to think good of themselves but life seems to cause many problems. People don’t want to be racist but they want money and power even more. So they are forced to try to deny being racist. I believe everyone in America and lesser so in the world is racist. It is deeply ingrained in western culture now. People are not “rational” but want to believe themselves reasonable. Now I try to also reduce sexism and homophobia as well as racism. I study all sources of truth. Human communication is very limited.

[@tracyj2886]

Wow. Truth and Courage and Wisdom embodied in one lovely human. ❤🎉❤ This is the most favorite interview I have seen anywhere, ever. Thanks for never outgrowing your pure heart, Ruby. ❤🎉

[@tomrepton6786]

Nikki Haley should watch this to learn some history…

[@victorpradha9946]

They should have Ruby 'ahem' Nikki when she doubles down on "America has never been a racist country".

[@Sarbet888]

Just what I have in mind!

[@KtotheG]

Nicki Haley is soulless... she needs to drop out now.

[@rf4341]

She’ll make u an excuse about it any way.

[@dbaker5036]

Folk like Nikey and Desantis normally don’t or won’t learn true American history

[@annesandstrommusic7538]

Ruby Bridges’ teacher, Barbara Henry, is an alumna of my alma mater, Girls’ Latin School. I was honored to meet Ms. Henry at an event several years ago. So glad to see her mentioned. We need more people like both of these fine women.

[@alexanderdeburdegala4609]

This touched me, and I am 44 year old white male. My community (LBGT) is still fighting too, which is immensely saddening that both of our communities still have to fight 😢😢😢

[@shelleyjennings4344]

You are loved and supported for who you are. Please know that many cisgender people are on your side. ❤

[@jayme3676]

Glad you were touched by her story, not so much that you still made this about you.

[@stefanhoimes]

It's the same group doing the oppressing. And they don't like when minority communities band together because there's more of us than those loud bigots.

[@alexanderdeburdegala4609]

@jayme3676 wow you're a troll, it's called sympathy you know when you can actually relate to someone's real world experiences. People like you are awful and ruin constructive dialog.

[@sheldonmarcotte8392]

Thank Harvey Milk that you can come out freely. The 70s was pivotal for your community as the 60's for mine. (Black).

[@bernardsalzman4707]

Ruby Bridges is a National Treasure. I'm getting her book for my self and my grandkids.

[@ChlomeRendia]

I'm a music teacher. My district curriculum for classroom music includes songs from the Civil Rights movement and Ruby Bridges' book that she wrote for young readers about her experiences. I was appalled when I saw an article about a group of parents trying to ban that book.

[@TheBcvg2002]

What a beautiful person. Thank you, Ruby!

[@dthill96]

As someone who learned about her in 6th grade, saw the 🎥 about her in 6th grade…. Just 🤯

[@Rebel_AF]

What a beautiful interview! ❤

[@michlnyc]

It's extraordinary to hear Ruby's early child experiences and how her life has unfolded, her life is a living, shining light for humanity. She's right on so many levels and I agree, that kids are innocent, until they are taught hate by others who were taught hate and/or were hurt themselves, needing to hurt others. History has many sides and it's important to educate ourselves on all sides to avoid repeating. This woman has such a peaceful energy and wisdom we all can learn from. Thank you Tonight Show for having Ruby on your show to remind us of such a powerful, historic moment in America at such an important time in our collective.

[@lseh4720]

Every single American needs to hear this beautiful woman

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

My heart hurts for that little 6 year old girl having to be so brave while getting screamed at by ignorant adults. 😭 No child should have to experience such abuse and NOT in the land of the free, home of the brave. SHE was the brave one where grown men had given themselves over to selfishness and ignorance. Shameful! Utterly! 😡 Disgusting cowards! SO happy for her to have defeated them and become successful, and she definitely deserves the respect she gets. 👏👏👏

[@lauralishes1]

Did you see all those racist white men smiling and helping the black kid go to school in the photo?

[@lenaannis8787]

Ι am not an American and my country in the Balkan area are all white,but you are so correct I dont know much abt that period in America, but the little girl in the picture broke my heart. So glad she is where she is today. Respect!!!

[@DeeDee-tq4cg]

What an amazing interview! Thank you Mr. Colbert and Ms Ruby Bridges!!!

[@SusanBame]

I'm almost her age and I'm in tears. Thank you, Ruby, for going to school. Thank you, Stephen, for letting Ruby tell us her story.

[@sabrinalastname9719]

It is so important that people learn about racism. We must never forget and never repeat. But that goes for everyone. We should stand up against the genocide of Palestinians and apartheid, just like both Mandela and MLK have said.

[@gerryc3112]

@sabrinalastname9719 What "genocide"? The Gazan population has more than doubled since 2005 and around 25% of the population of Israel is Arabic. If Israelis are practising apartheid, they are absolutely failing at it! LOL

[@sabrinalastname9719]

@@gerryc3112 the genocide that South Africa has brought before the ICJ! You know, the birth place of Mandela and Trevor?

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Genocide? Do you perhaps mean the close to 2000 people slaughtered by Hamas in their attack in October 2023, among them many kibbutz workers from all over the world who were sympathetic to the Palestinian people?

[@tompatchak8706]

I could listen to this woman speak for hours. So calming, yet so direct.

[@lindagoff5987]

I would love to see Miss Ruby Bridges speaking at democratic events. She is living history!

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Or get the presidential Medal of Freedom Trump sure as hell wouldn't give her one...

[@TheCalicohorse]

It doesn't make sense that she hasn't been awarded this already.@@jillfromatlanta427

[@shawnpreston1639]

Please let’s not politicize this lady. We have enough polarization in this country already. I think she’s so much well received because she isn’t seen as an operative for anyone’s agenda. Let’s keep it that way. And, we’re also assuming we know her personal politics. Again, let’s not put her in a box. Her mission seems to be about children and bettering the next generation. Let’s accept that. She deserves peace in her latter years. However, as it pertains to books, she should be a guess of the president when he addresses the nation at the congressional hall. She could stand and represent banned author of important books that are a part of American history and should be taught. To me, that makes more sense, and she’s there to represent a cause that near and dear to her.

[@lindagoff5987]

Not about politics, she's living history and more need to know about her. Not about getting votes for a Presidential candidate.@@shawnpreston1639

[@emeraldblue5291]

Can everyone appreciate the timeline here? In your lifetime? This isn't ancient history. History has a way of repeating esp when the lessons aren't learned or they're conveniently forgotten for political gain. We haven't learned our lessons from 60yr ago much less 150yrs ago. This country is on a very slippery slope. The a$$holes of ignorance can't win this battle for the soul of the nation. Unfortunately, ignorance & hatred have proven to be a very profitable [election] platform. MS, the poorest state in the US w/the highest childhood obesity rates, refusing millions in federal school lunch money, state employees stealing welfare funds for a rich man's daughter's volleyball arena and a gravesite of 150+ inmates found behind a county jail. Do better Mississippi.

[@pizzaruby5140]

I think that's what shocked me the most here. The problems Ruby brought up are relatively recent, and we have people in government who want to undo everything Ruby and the other civil rights leaders have done to make our country better. It's frightening, but we won't let these wannabe dictators win.

[@edwardlulofs444]

In my lifetime, I watched on TV. I could never understood the hatred of racism. I can’t understand the hatred that most politicians have to hide- and especially those who are openly hateful.

[@laurendowns6013]

She needs more time!! That was not a long enough interview!

[@Genie519]

So powerful! Thank you for having this amazing person on. I will be buying that book😊

[@MrJimmy1953]

Brilliant woman. Courageous. 🕊️

[@thesmileyeffect]

What a fantastic interview! Chills at the end.

[@Leopold3131]

God, I have tears streaming down my face.

[@franimal86]

If you don’t teach history to the kids, you get adults that don’t like to learn history

[@amylee8969]

Ignorant people want to change and erase history that’s horrible and can’t be done

[@lynetteray2146]

Wow! I had NO IDEA! I remember the picture. But I had no idea about the back story. And she is so 'together' and proves how resilient children are. Amazing.

[@Sarbet888]

I am happy she is around and in good health; I am glad she thought the white racists who were screaming at her were celebrating Mardi Gras, and the courage of her parents was admirable. Thanks, Ruby Bridge, you contributed a great deal to cure America's illness.

[@vbrown6445]

@Sarbet888 Yes, her parents were extremely brave! Ruby was emotionally protected for a time by her childhood innocence, but her parents were aware of the hate, vitriol, and danger right from the beginning. It could not have been easy.

[@yurmomsaccount]

Wow this is amazing and it really puts into perspective how short the amount of time has been since the civil rights movement happened and now.

[@Ivehadenuff]

Heroism and grace. RubyBridges.

[@klasi58]

It saddens me that such a legend didn’t get the same standing ovation like some actors do. We should set our priorities right. Thank you Stephen for inviting her to your show. This should become a yearly event.

[@ammaleslie509]

She did get a standing ovation. They showed the audience standing as she walked in.

[@annprimo742]

They did stand

[@ellieban]

I love the idea of treating the banned list as a purchasing. There’s some hella good writing on that list, you could do worse than shake an education around that list 🤣

[@wendelynanderson9517]

Being uncomfortable is how we grow. To only be comfortable is to stagnate into nothingness. Thank you Ms. Bridges.

[@mahoganymuffin2628]

I wish the interview was longer. Thanks for having her on Stephen!

[@AngelusaNobilis]

Her testimony made me cry, it's so powerful.