It's hard to believe that fifty years ago in the United States of America segregation was alive. Yesterday, commemorated the anniversary of the very first bus to leave Washington D.C. for the south, to challenge segregation. The first Freedom Ride was filled with civil rights activists of all races that were heading down into the deep south to see if Boynton vs Virgina would be upheld.
These young men and women felt a NEED to fight for racial equality. In fact, they were willing to risk their lives for it.
When these buses reached the south, they were met with medal pipes, clubs, chains, and worse some of them were set on fire. The KKK and even local authorities refused to accept the rights of the freedom rides. Many turned a blind eye to the violence. Others participated. The police threw the passive riders in jail.
The freedom riders also sat together in segregated restaurants and other establishments. They forced this nation to truly examine why "separate but equal" was unacceptable!
I think this is a great teaching tool for our children. It's not the history lesson, but the personal one. I always tell my children that it begins with one voice. One voice to stand up and say "don't do that." The freedom riders are an example of that.
Bullying is rampant in our schools today, and we should teach our children to stand up for each other. It begins with talking to them about doing the right thing.
These young men and women felt a NEED to fight for racial equality. In fact, they were willing to risk their lives for it.
When these buses reached the south, they were met with medal pipes, clubs, chains, and worse some of them were set on fire. The KKK and even local authorities refused to accept the rights of the freedom rides. Many turned a blind eye to the violence. Others participated. The police threw the passive riders in jail.
The freedom riders also sat together in segregated restaurants and other establishments. They forced this nation to truly examine why "separate but equal" was unacceptable!
I think this is a great teaching tool for our children. It's not the history lesson, but the personal one. I always tell my children that it begins with one voice. One voice to stand up and say "don't do that." The freedom riders are an example of that.
Bullying is rampant in our schools today, and we should teach our children to stand up for each other. It begins with talking to them about doing the right thing.
"I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." George C. Wallace, Governor of Alabama
"In many ways, history is marked as 'before' and 'after' Rosa Parks. She sat down in order that we all might stand up, and the walls of segregation came down." Jesse Jackson
