An 8-year-old, bi-racial child in New Canaan was recently approached by a teammate who told a joke to which the punchline was that he was an N-word.
Understandably, this child was crushed. When he told his teacher the next day, she compassionately responded by taking the whole class to the library so they could read about Ruby Bridges, who, in 1960, was the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white school in Louisiana. She was just 6 years old, and had to be escorted by federal marshals through throngs of angry white parents shouting and throwing things. Today she is 67.
This brave New Canaan child decided to write to Ruby Bridges. He explained what happened, how sad he was, and how he wanted “people to know how it feels to be treated unfairly.” He asked if she would come speak to the kids and grownups in his town, where his Dad is “one of the only Black dads in town.”
To this end, Grace Farms Foundation, an interdisciplinary humanitarian organization pursuing peace through nature, arts, justice, community, and faith, is in the process of bringing a virtual, interactive program with Ms. Bridges to our area. It includes a talk from Ms. Bridges, followed by a Q&A. The session will be recorded on January 10, 2022, and supporters will be given a password-protected link of the recording.
Grace Farms is short of the amount it needs to fund the program. Will you contribute to taking a stand against implicit racism and casual bias? Will you take action on behalf of an 8-year-old boy who has shown such bravery? What a powerful way to blend the recent past with a brighter future!
If you are interested in donating to this effort, please click one fo the buttons in this post to be taken to the Grace Farms Foundation secure donation page. In the comments, please designate that you are donating as part of the “Ridgefield Alliance.” This way everyone will get individual documentation for tax purposes, while showing our support as a community.
Please note: Ridgefield Allies is not in anyway affiliated or associated with Grace Farms Foundation or the Ruby Bridges program. Allies is promoting this program because it aligns with our mission.
