Which of the following best describes the impact of Ruby Bridges on school
segregation? (RI 8.1)
A. Bridges’ attempts to go to school made segregation more prominent.
B. Bridges was a pioneer for the future safe integration of schools.
C. Bridges’ transition to a white school was easy, and paved the way for future Black
students.
D. Bridges was the only student fighting for school integration, and she won her fight.
B. Bridges was a pioneer for the future safe integration of schools.
To determine the impact of Ruby Bridges on school segregation, we need to analyze the provided answer choices:
A. Bridges’ attempts to go to school made segregation more prominent.
B. Bridges was a pioneer for the future safe integration of schools.
C. Bridges’ transition to a white school was easy, and paved the way for future Black students.
D. Bridges was the only student fighting for school integration, and she won her fight.
To find the correct answer, we can eliminate answer choices that are clearly incorrect.
Option A suggests that Bridges' attempts to attend school made segregation more prominent. However, this is not accurate, as the entire purpose of Bridges' desegregation efforts was to challenge and dismantle segregation. It is unlikely that her efforts made segregation more prominent. We can eliminate option A.
Option C suggests that Bridges' transition to a white school was easy, and paved the way for future Black students. While it is true that Bridges' transition was a significant milestone in the desegregation of schools, stating that her transition was easy may oversimplify the challenges and difficulties she faced during that time. Moreover, Bridges' impact extended beyond just her own transition, so saying that she paved the way for future Black students is accurate. Therefore, option C can be a potential correct answer.
Option D suggests that Bridges was the only student fighting for school integration and that she won her fight. However, this is not entirely accurate. While Bridges was one of the first few Black students to integrate a white school, she was not the only one. There were other Black students who also joined her in integrating previously segregated schools. Additionally, it is important to note that her journey was met with significant opposition, and it took time and continued efforts to fully desegregate schools. Therefore, option D is not entirely accurate.
Based on the analysis, option B, "Bridges was a pioneer for the future safe integration of schools," is the most accurate and best describes the impact of Ruby Bridges on school segregation. Her bravery and willingness to be the first Black student to attend a previously all-white school set an important precedent for the integration of schools and laid the foundation for future desegregation efforts.