A quilt made in tribute to Ruby Bridges, a 1954 Supreme Court decision, and The Greater Lansing Sites of Conscience Project. What do they all have in common? They are part of the MSU Museum’s new exhibition that highlights the 60th anniversary of the Brown v Board of Education landmark decision and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
Ruby Bridges is the six-year-old girl who was the first to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans in compliance with the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Sites of Conscience in Lansing is a community engaged effort to research, map, and make accessible those places on our campus and in the Lansing area that are connected with individuals and events that have made social justice and human rights history.
This exhibition presents information about Ruby Bridges, Brown v. Board of Education, and how you can be engaged in The Greater Lansing Sites of Conscience Project.
Upcoming programs:
Opening Reception & Student Performance
Monday, January 20, 4 – 6pm
In conjunction with Project 60/50 kick- off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Michigan State University
“Quilts and Human Rights” Brown Bag
Friday, March 28, noon-1:00 pm
MSU Museum Auditorium
PRESENTERS: Marsha MacDowell, Mary Worrall, Lynne Swanson, Beth Donaldson
The authors of the forthcoming book, “Quilts and Human Rights”, discuss the ways quilts have been used to pay tribute to human rights issues.
Help Tell the Story: The Greater Lansing Sites of Conscience Project
Sunday, March 30, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
MSU Museum Auditorium Curator-led discussion about how community members can assist in mapping local places important in civil rights history.
Thursday, April 24, 2014 @ 6:00 pm
Artist Talk: Marion Coleman
MSU Museum Auditorium
Marion Coleman is a national award-winning contemporary artist who specializes in pictorial quilts on African American history and culture. Currently on view at the MSU Museum is her quilt, Ruby Bridges: What A Difference A School Makes.
Watch and Learn More
These short videos, available on YouTube provide different perspectives on Ruby Bridges
Warning: some historical footage contains offensive language.
Robert Coles on Ruby Bridges
Uploaded by Colette Ouattara. Published on May 5, 2013
running time: 5:23 minutes
Black History Spotlight: Ruby Bridges
Produced by Dara Shultz. Published on Feb. 9, 2013
running time: 4:15 minutes
Color Barrier Breaking Student’s Reunion
Produced by CBS. Uploaded on Nov. 12, 2010
running time: 4:09 minutes
MLK Day Legacy: Ruby Bridges
Produced by National Service. Uploaded on Dec. 20, 2011
running time: 4:09
