1960 Norman Rockwell. 2009 CNN photo. Ruby Bridges and Sasha Obama.

Sweet.

May I just say Wow.

Hey, Christine,

Great visual rhyming, as they like to say in the art biz. The Obamas are so conscious of history, and their own role in history, that I'm sure they would appreciate the connection, if it didn't occur to them already. I've always loved that Rockwell painting because it shows his “serious” side. Rockwell's much deeper than most people think. The fact that he was an optimist and a real believer in the American ideal leads people to see him as naive. I think he'd be an Obamaphile today.

–Bob

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Awesome correlation darlin'.

The painting by Norman Rockwell that depicted Ruby Bridges’ first day of integration:
The Problem We All Live With.

The Problem We All Live With.

49 years later, it is now a President’s daughter that gets the escort, and a more joyous walk:

I am helping my nine year old step-son, ( who happens to be bi-racial) with a collage for Black History Month, While gathering photos and facts, I recalled this above caption being e-mailed to me, and without hesitation IMMEDIATETLY printed it to add to his project, as well as a copy for our home. If there is any truth or signifigance to the old addage….”a picture is worth a thousand words” ? this is DEFINATELY one of them. As African Americans, we need to be EVER mindful of the many sacrifices, sufferings, and degradation those before us had to endure, to make it possible for this generation to have opportunities, that were denied to them. I thank God that little Ruby…..at such a young age…had the faith, courage, and tenacity to….”KEEP STEPPIN” Let us ALL take time this month, to reflect on the MANY accomplishments and contributions that African-Americans have made to make the world a better place for ALL people!

I had the opportunity to see this painting for the first time, “The Problem We All Live With”, and I was at that moment given a new revelation of Norman Rockwells' true sense of humanitaian, art. For him to have a sense of reality and to give a view outside of the “normal” box of, caucasianism was a first for me. I visited the Ringling Museum of Art- in Sarasota, Florida this past weekend. I have always enjoyed the artistic works of Norman Rockwell throughout the years, but kept a distance of view because there was never any representation of the African American people in his works. But I now have a new view, respect , and understanding of this artists' works; and I am thrilled to see that he truley had a heart for people of color and their struggles of life!
When I saw the painting, “The Problem We All Live With” at the Ringling Museum, I was amazed!
I am also happy to see that our President of The United States of America has given his daughters the opportunity and knowledge to experience such a historical fact of the African American people; which is one of many lessons I am sure that Sasha and her sister has been exposed to!
At this museum, there were two African American female children at this visit- and the ten year old, Jasmine, saw this same picture at the museum and asked; why is she walking with those men alone like that? The scene was explained to her, and I noticed at that moment- she also seemed to have a new revelation of her life in this world; her silence was a chilling sight!

I only hope that this message, among others, may be expressed to many of our children-African American children, as well as the children of all races; so that they may have a better understanding of this world's separations and that they may be better prepared to have the hearts to uplift and bring all people of our world to live together in peace, harmony, and understanding!

Because our Nation has been presently graced with the high intelligence of President, Barack Obama; we can now be recognized specifically to others throughout all other countries, as a truely, Intelligent Nation of ONE!

I can now honestly say that I am Proud to be an American!!

I think it really cool how these two pictures show how much we have progressed throught out history.

hi