Ruby Bridges Takes Over Selena Gomez’s Instagram, Sharing Footage of Her Historic Integration Into an All-White School in 1960

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Hello I’m Ruby Bridges. In 1960 I was the first Black child to integrate an all-White elementary school, William Frantz Elementary, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over the years I have dedicated my life to promoting tolerance and unity. During this Civil Unrest, it’s crucial we stand united to protect Black & Brown lives! We thank our sister Selena for allowing me to tell my story and bring more awareness to the importance of this moment, on this amazing platform!⠀ ⠀ — Ruby Bridges (@rubybridgesofficial)

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Jun 14, 2020 at 9:06am PDT

During the Instagram takeover, Bridges introduced a series of clips from a documentary that showed her first day of first grade at William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans, followed by an excerpt from the documentary, The Children Were Watching, which shows the violence the Gabriel family faced as Daisy Gabriel, a Latina mother, tried to bring her daughter to school the same day Bridges integrated the school. The division and anger displayed is heart-wrenching.

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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

The takeover was part of a partnership between non-Black celebrities and Black leaders, activists, artists, and others to illuminate their stories and experiences.

“I want you to remember that it is all of our shared history. This is your legacy too,” said Bridges on Instagram.