In 1960, Ruby Bridges made history at just six years old as the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South, a landmark moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Amid daily threats and intense opposition, Ruby walked to school each day under federal marshal protection, showcasing remarkable bravery for her age. She attended William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans alone in her classroom, with only her teacher, Barbara Henry, as other families withdrew their children in protest. Her quiet courage highlighted both the innocence of childhood and the harsh realities of segregation.
Norman Rockwell captured this historic event in his painting The Problem We All Live With, published in 1964. Known for his depictions of Americana, Rockwell used this piece to confront the country’s racial issues. In the painting, Ruby walks in a pristine white dress alongside four U.S. marshals, with a racial slur and a smashed tomato on the wall behind her—symbols of the hate she faced. By focusing on Ruby’s small figure amidst the adults around her, Rockwell underscores her courage while evoking the viewer’s sense of injustice. The painting’s title emphasizes that racism is a collective issue, making this work an enduring symbol of the fight for equality and a reminder of the personal cost of progress.
