LEARNING TOGETHER: The Story of America
The Freedom Riders first attempt at desegregating interstate public transportation was unsuccessful. Stopped by Southern white segregationists’ fierce hatred for Black Americans not knowing or staying in their appointed place was greater than the peaceful riders’ constitutional rights.
But like the old freedom song goes, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around. These daring young people continued their mission to challenge the status quo even if it meant being beaten and imprisoned. But as the Freedom Riders continued with their civil disobedience strategy, so did the violence against them.
In 1961 over 400 people, mostly young folks, volunteered for this dangerous bus ride into the belly of the beast (the Deep South). Once there, they had a front row seat to the violence perpetrated by white segregationists determined to hold on to their Southern way of life, even if it meant murdering Americans. The violence got so out of hand that Robert Kennedy, the U.S. Attorney General, was forced to step in. But even the all-powerful United States government was ill-prepared for the intense hatred by Southern white segregationists towards anyone daring to challenge their authoritarian beliefs.
At one point, over 600 National Guardsmen were assigned to protect the Freedom Riders as their buses traveled through the Deep South. Despite this national protection, Black riders were still arrested the minute they tried to enter white only restrooms or waiting areas at the bus terminal. And white riders didn’t fare any better, they too were arrested if they tried to enter a colored restroom or waiting area. Even though it was the local segregationists who were the aggressors, it was the Freedom Riders who were charged with breach of peace.
Despite the hellish conditions (filth, urine-stained mats, rats, etc.) of the jails, the Freedom Riders came up with a “jail, no bail” strategy. The goal was to overwhelm the jails. Over 300 nonviolent students toughed it out behind bars.
Finally, under pressure from horrified Americans as they witnessed Northern white kids being beaten and thrown in Southern jails, the Kennedy Administration desegregated interstate transit terminals.
The Freedom Riders, true American heroes, represent what standing up for democracy really looks like. These young people knew that segregation was wrong. They risked their lives to force America to keep its promise to not only desegregate our public transit system, but also protect those laws.
Segregation, legal or not, has no place in America ever again. But with that said and considering our current political and social climate, is the future of America a nation of hatred and segregation (again) or are we to be an example to the world of acceptance and inclusion?
OUR HISTORY MATTERS
#20
Ain't gonna let segregation turn me around
Turn me around, turn me around
Ain't gonna let segregation turn me around
I'm gonna keep on a-walkin', keep on a-talkin'
Marchin' up to freedom's land
