Example of American Literature 2
Individualized Assignment, Lesson 15
by Ashley Parker
Freedom Rides of the Civil Rights Movement
The freedom rides changed
every day life for African Americans. The participants called “The Freedom Riders” made it so segregation in interstate
bus travel was outlawed in September of 1961. These riders showed their bravery and dedication to this movement, and some
were scarred for life from the beatings they received. The Freedom Riders made a permanent change in history, and made and
important and lasting contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.
In 1947, CORE (Congress
Of Racial Equality) planned a journey that was to test the Supreme Courts decision on a previous case in 1946. The case was
for a woman named Irene Morgan, and the Morgan decision declared segregated seating of passengers unconstitutional. This journey
was named “The Journey of Reconciliation”. The members of CORE consisted of interracial groups who were dedicated
to fighting for this movement. As the group of passengers started their journey, they met trouble in the upper south and were
arrested, which brought the journey to a halt. This resistance to the members of CORE showed that the south was not quite
ready for integration.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy
was made president, and civilians believed that he was more sympathetic to the movement than Nixon claimed to be. Civilians
started to become suspicious once Kennedy showed less commitment to the movement once he was in office. To make sure Kennedy
would stick to his campaign speech, CORE began a new journey of reconciliation, which was called the “Freedom Ride”.
On this ride to the south, the blacks sat in the front, and the whites sat in the back. They would switch areas at rest stops.
They knew that violence was going to be present on this journey, but these riders were willing to die for the cause.
On their way southbound,
they met little resistance in the upper south, unlike the first journey. The riders split up to travel through Alabama on
Mother’s Day. The first group was met by a mob in Anniston, who stoned the bus and slashed its tires. The bus was firebombed
about six miles out of town when it stopped to change the tires. The second group was severely beaten with no officers at
their side to help them. The FBI knew of the attack and when it was going to happen, but stayed away on purpose.
The Freedom Riders were
determined to continue and wanted to prove that non-violence can prevail over violence. Nashville students went to Birmingham
to continue the journey and asked them for the use of their buses. The Greyhound bus company finally agreed to carry the riders
and they left on Saturday May 20th. A private plane was promised to be flown over the bus, and a state patrol car
every 15-20 miles down the highway, just in case the riders met resistance. Unfortunately this protection was only promised
until Montgomery, Alabama. Once the Montgomery limits were reached, southern white racists threw violence towards them like
it was going out of style. The riders were pummeled, along with anyone who tried to help them.
News of the attack reached
Washington and Kennedy was very displeased. Federal marshals were sent to Montgomery. Martin Luther King Jr. supported the
Freedom Riders and flew to Montgomery to hold a mass meeting. Federal marshals surrounded the church in which the meeting
was held. Thousands of whites surrounded the church once it became dark, making it impossible for the blacks and their white
supporters to leave without being harmed. State police and the National Guard were eventually sent in by Governor Patterson
of Alabama to clear out the mob. The blacks were finally able to leave safely.
After the church event,
riders continued towards Mississippi. They were protected as they entered the state, and there were no mobs to fight against
them at the bus terminal. Policemen safely escorted the riders to jail. Kennedy and Mississippi Senator James O. Eastland
had reached a compromise. Kennedy would not use federal troops if there were no mob violence, and both ends of the bargain
were held. The imprisoned Freedom Riders were tried on May 25th. They were then sentenced to 60 days in the state
penitentiary.
As more Freedom Riders
attempted to continue the Freedom Ride, they all ended up being arrested. The riders continued to travel southbound and 300
Freedom Riders were arrested by the end of summer. None of them ever made it to New Orleans, but their efforts will never
be forgotten. They successfully encountered the bigoted policies of the south and helped to change the racist laws in the
region. Due to their courage, more Americans are free today to enjoy the rights originally guaranteed by the constitution
of the United States of America.
