Black History Month Sweetie Style

Emily, official co-daughter of NewMexiKen, reports:

As you probably know, February is Black History Month. At our school, the principal organized a voluntary extra essay contest. The kids were asked to research about famous African Americans and write essays on how these people influenced the students’ lives today. The essay was due today [Monday]. Then on Friday, they have to dress up and act like they are in a wax museum.

Well, out of a school with 1,085 students, only two students completed the essay contest . . . Kiley and Mack.

It’s kind of sad for the principal, but I can’t tell you how proud of Kiley and Mack I am. They both took the activity very seriously and produced great essays. I typed up Kiley’s essay below so you could see what she came up with. She is very excited about getting the chance to act like Ruby on Friday. Mack researched Chuck Berry and is all set to play his electric guitar on Friday. We’re not sure exactly who the audience will be for the performances, but it should be a great show.

Here is six-year-old kindergartner Kiley’s essay:

Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges is a brave little girl just like me. Ruby was not to upset that she has to eat lunch by her self. Ruby has to eat by her self because her techer ate elsewhere and no one was in her class. No one was in her class because the kids are wite and their folks are not happy with a black girl in the school. Ruby prayed for the pepole in the loud crowd. That teaches me not to be hurtful to others. Ruby did this too . . . she was so brave she could walk being silent. She ignored the pepole that were in the crowd. I would do that to. I have a brother and I sometimes ignore him when he is not nice. Ruby and me are the same in some ways.

Ruby Bridges was a six-year-old girl who attended school alone in 1960 in New Orleans when white parents withdrew their children in opposition to integration. She was depicted in a famous Norman Rockwell illustration.