"Just Like You"

Written and Illustrated by Alina Hays

Hello, my name is Ruby, Ruby Bridges. That's me all the way on the left, and these are some of my friends from school. I'm older now, but when I was six I couldn't have the friends I do now.

There were segregation laws in Louisianna, which is a fancy way of saying they split everyone up because of how they look. My mama really wanted me to go to a good school and get the best education I could. Unfortunately for me, that meant going to an all white school.

After I studied hard and passed all of the tests to get in, the hard part started. I had to go to school. Folks stood outside of my school to protest my attendance, just because I look different.

"You don't belong here!" they'd shout every morning.

I was the only student in my class, I ate with my teacher at lunch, and I played by myself at recess. I was determined, however, and I never missed a day of school.

My teacher, Ms. Barbara Henry, and my mama always pushed me to do my best. I was finally able to make friends as time went on, and I have my teacher and mother to thank for that. They're my friends, heroes, and my biggest fans.

Today I am a graduated woman. I finished my schooling even with all of the protest and fuss, and I am stronger now because of it.

My name is Ruby Bridges, and I am a student. I am just like you.

My name is Ella Fitzgerald, and I was born to perform. At first I wanted to dance, that's all I wanted to do when I grew up. Then, I sang in a competition.

"The first place winner is... Ella Fitzgerald!" they announced.

I just did it for fun, but I won the grand prize of $25! I guess I was destined for the stage.

Just after the competition the leader of a band got in contact with me. They had every instrument covered, but what they needed wasn't exactly an instrument. They were trying to find the right singer! The band asked me to record some songs with them, and they instantly hit the charts.

Overnight I was a star in the music industry. I was living the dream, but my story wasn't done yet.

The segregation laws at the time wouldn't let me perform at certain places. If the owners would let my band play they wouldn't treat us well. Times were hard and our band wasn't doing as well anymore. That's when Marilyn Monroe came in. She was the most popular movie star at the time, she could even sing too. Marilyn promised the owners of important places that she would sit in the front row to draw media attention, but only if I sang every night. What do you know, her plan worked!