Both Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin were “rebellious,” the white and Black establishment BOTH looked down on them, and neither was the first Black person to refuse to give up their seat for a white passenger in Montgomery. The fight for equality and against injustice was long and difficult and it was a collective struggle, not an individual one.
@Deglassco@blackmastodon@BlackMastodon TWW: The traditions of a society when they are truly conceived to the benefit of all people will be strong enough to allow that society and culture to thrive in the moment and be free of corruption. *Thank you for clear thoughtful writing. Raised in the foothills and moved to the city. Busses were a challenge. Where who sat and how not to stare. I still smile when I think of how I rebelled against those norms. OWOP
@Deglassco@blackmastodon@BlackMastodon Thank you for this illuminating thread. We have a children’s book in our family, which is about Rosa Parks. It focuses only on Rosa without telling efforts of the community. Your thread helps me to explain it precisely to our kids.
@fracicone yes, indeed. Many books focused on Mrs. Parks and she had an important role. But it’s not the whole story. It’s easier to focus on one person, but it is not very nuanced or contextual.
During the Montgomery bus boycott, myths emerged surrounding Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin, and other Black people who defied segregation on buses. These myths distorted the narratives and contributions of these activists, often downplaying their courage and agency. Here are some of the prevailing myths.
Myth of Rosa Parks vs. Claudette Colvin: One of the myths falsely portrayed Claudette Colvin as the true hero who was overlooked because she didn't fit the middle-class, respectable image favored by the civil rights movement. This myth disregards the fact that both Parks and Colvin were part of a larger movement of Black residents challenging segregation on buses. It also fails to recognize the crucial support Parks provided to Colvin.
Myth of Parks as a Chosen Test Case b/c of respectability politics: Rosa wasn’t middle class. She lived in a housing complex and was overlooked by the Black middle class. The organizers didn't inform Rosa about the boycott announcement b/c they thought she lacked recognition & support. Rosa Parks faced scorn, death threats, & rumors to discredit her. Fired from her job, she left Montgomery for Detroit seeking better opportunities & safety.
Myth of Claudette Colvin's Pregnancy: In Summer 1955, feeling isolated & vulnerable, Claudette met an older man & afterwards became pregnant. She became pregnant AFTER the community dropped her case.This myth ignores that Claudette’s contributions extended beyond the initial act of defiance. She later joined the Browder v. Gayle lawsuit, which successfully challenged bus segregation, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the cause.
These myths tend to simplify the complex dynamics of the Montgomery bus boycott and discredit the collective efforts and courage of the Black community. The reality is that numerous individuals, including Parks, Colvin, and countless others, played crucial roles in challenging segregation and paving the way for lasting change.
@Deglassco Gregory W. Bush argues that the 1945 "wade in" just north of Miami led by a civil rights lawyer named Lawson Thomas (who would later become the first Black judge in the South post Reconstruction) w/ Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP and the long shoremen union either helping or observing, helped inspire the bus boycott a decade later.
As you say, that Boycott was the result of a LOT of people and a legacy of organized, thought out resistance dating back decades.
Ruth Powell, Marianne Musgrave, Angela Jones, and Erma McLemore refused to move to the back of a bus in Virginia in 1944. The attorney general dropped the case against them to avoid a constitutional challenge.
The story is in "Song in a Weary Throat" by the amazing Pauli Murray.
The myths surrounding Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin suggests that they were the first individuals in Montgomery Alabama to refuse to give up their seats to a white people on a bus. However, this myth overlooks the rich history of resistance against bus segregation that preceded their actions.
Hilliard Brooks was a 22 year old veteran who became a tragic victim of the fight against segregation in Montgomery. In 1950, he boarded a city bus and refused to re-enter through the rear door, as demanded by the bus driver. This act of resistance infuriated the driver, who called Officer Marvin Mills for assistance. Tragically, Officer Mills shot and killed Hilliard, who passed away a day later from his injuries.
Aurelia Shines Browder Coleman, an African-American civil rights activist, made her own stand against bus segregation in April 1955. Almost eight months before Rosa Parks' arrest and a month after Claudette Colvin's arrest, Aurelia was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white rider. Her courageous act further contributed to the mounting resistance against segregation in Montgomery.
Viola White also refused to surrender her bus seat in Montgomery in 1944. After she decided to press charges against the bus company for her mistreatment, the police retaliated by committing a horrifying act of violence. They raped Viola’s daughter as a means of intimidation and to discourage further resistance. To further compound the injustice, the state intentionally delayed and obstructed her appeal, preventing the case from reaching the courts.
These people, along with many citizens of Montgomery, Alabama, demonstrated remarkable bravery and resilience in their fight against segregation on public transportation. Their acts of resistance, alongside the efforts of Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin, and numerous outside activists, laid the groundwork for the Montgomery bus boycott and the larger civil rights movement.
To sustain a year-long boycott, the Montgomery Black community organized 40 pickup stations across town; at its height, the movement was giving 10,000 to 15,000 rides a day. Later, Montgomery lawyer Fred Gray decided to file a proactive case in federal court. Known as Browder v. Gayle, the landmark case went to the Supreme Court and succeeded in overturning bus segregation.
By focusing solely on Parks and Colvin as the "firsts," this myth undermines the collective efforts of the Black community in Montgomery. It fails to acknowledge the long history of resistance, the risks taken by many others who challenged segregation, and the broader context in which the Montgomery bus boycott emerged.
@airwhale Agreed. In fact, the organizers knew very well that if they followed the planned protocol, the boycott would garner media attention. That is why pressure was put upon anyone who decided they were going to break the boycott.
Movements for social change are often built on the accumulated resistance of numerous individuals over time. Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin played significant roles, but they were part of a larger foundation of civic, moral, and political resistance that ultimately led to the pivotal Montgomery bus boycott and the dismantling of segregation laws.
@Deglassco This is something that's almost always true - one or two people come to symbolize a social movement that has been building with many other participants. Thank you for this thread unpacking the story that Parks and Colvin came to symbolize.
@Deglassco always great threads. Y'all need to follow this account. She always brings great, important stories and plenty of receipts and amazing photos.
Every single one has taught me something new and I am a grad student studying American history.
Add comment