The Freedom Riders Essay - 1553 Words

Nearly 200 years ago, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, slavery was no longer allowed; but America was still segregated. Segregation in many public places continued especially in the South. At this time, segregation was legal. In 1892, the Supreme Court had ruled that a state could separate whites and blacks as long as the services were equal. On May 4, 1961, a diverse group of thirteen courageous individuals known as the Freedom Riders embarked on a bus journey into the South in order to challenge segregation in bus terminals. Although many individuals believed that segregation was wrong, many southern states continued to practice racial segregation. Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups†¦show more content†¦When asked by the driver why she had not stood up, Rosa replied that she did not feel that she should have to stand up. Parks said that she was tired of giving in. The police arrested Parks who was later released on bail. Rosa Parks became a symbol for the Civil Rights Movement by refusing to give up her seat and go to the back of the bus (Rosa Parks Biography). Although there had been a ruling by the Interstate Commerce Commission that blacks could sit wherever they wanted on buses that traveled through more than one state and the Supreme Court had ruled that segregation on buses was unconstitutional, blacks continued to face difficulties when riding buses in the Deep South. There were signs in southern bus terminals indicating areas where blacks were to sit. Separate restrooms were to be used by whites and blacks. In order to test these rulings and draw attention to the Civil Rights Movement, a decision was made to conduct Freedom Rides. A group of whites and blacks would challenge these practices (Freedom Riders). Those who wanted to be members of this initial group were asked to complete an application, include a recommendation from a teacher or pastor, and write an essay about their commitment to the civil rights movement. Those under the age of twenty-one had to have parent permission. Several dozen applications were received. The organizers selected Freedom Riders of various religions, ages, color, and areas of theShow MoreRelatedThe Freedom Riders1204 Words   |  5 PagesBBB Period N 18 March 2013 Freedom Riders Backlash The Freedom Riders strive through a journey of hardships to have their point accepted by others, which was bus desegregation. Through the journey the Freedom Rides took some obstacles that affected them physically and mentally. They fought threw times like the downfalls that their movement brought and the mobs that greeted them in every state. The mobs were verbally and physically violent towards the Freedom Riders more than a few times whileRead MoreFreedom Riders, By John Lewis, A Former Freedom Rider1087 Words   |  5 PagesThis quote from John Lewis, a former Freedom Rider I believe with those words perfectly describes why these Freedom Riders began their journey. After reading the textbook, Visions of America and watching the video clip from American Experience of Freedom Riders I was able to make myself knowledgeable about Freedom Riders. Both the textbook and the video I thought engaged me into the information I was either reading or listening. So, what exactly are Freedom Riders, what were the impacts of this eventRead MoreEssay on Freedom Riders1426 Words   |  6 PagesThe Freedom Riders were a group of college students and leaders of various racial equality organizations, both blacks and whites, which tested the law of integration for public transportation. The law was instated, but Alabama especially didn’t follow it. The Freedom Riders rode buses into the cities to see if the townspeople accepted or declined the new law. They in turn ended up beating, pummeling, and chasing the riders out of town with the white mobs. The Freedom Riders violently fought the segregationRead MoreFreedom Riders Speech788 Words   |  4 Pagessegregation that it eventually led to violence. In 1960, a group of brave people of a variety races came up with the idea of â€Å"Freedom Rides†. They knew the consequences of their cause, a 13 person group, protesting against something that most of the world stood for, and yet they still did everything they could do , to help end it. The Freedom Riders’ goals were to â€Å"challenge the non-enforcement of the united states supreme court decisions Morgan vs. virginia† (quizlet.com)Read MoreEssay On Freedom Riders738 Words   |  3 PagesThe Freedom Riders were remarkable, fearless Americans. They were extraordinary, ordinary people . . . young people who took the reins of history and wouldnt let go.† -Mark Samels, American Experience Executive Producer. This documentary showed a very dark time of American history, but in the dark is where the heroes come along. The people who took a stand and took part in the Freedom Rider is truly brave, and fearless, they are the people who made the America. Originally the Freedom Riders startedRead MoreThe Freedom Riders Essay1090 Words   |  5 PagesThe Freedom Riders were a group of around 13 people. Most of them were African Americans but there were always a few white skinned people in the group as well. There was no set leader for the Freedom Riders. The Freedom Riders rode interstate buses into the Southern United States. The south was referred to as the most segregated part of the U.S. The main goal of the Freedom Riders was to desegregate and become â€Å"separate but equal.† They had also set out to defy the Jim Crow Laws. The Freedom RidersRead MoreAustralian Freedom Riders1024 Words   |  5 Pagesto the making of our own Australian Freedom Riders which were based on the Ameri can Freedom Riders who were making a difference with civil rights and discrimination in America. They travelled across America to raise awareness of the issues when it came to the African-American’s rights and they helped achieve equality. The Australian Freedom Riders helped in achieving freedom for the Indigenous Australians just like the Americans. The Australian Freedom Riders consisted of thirty students that attendedRead MoreThe Freedom Riders For African Americans1491 Words   |  6 PagesWho are the Freedom Riders you may ask? They were a courageous and daring group, which originally consisted of seven African Americans and six Whites.They fought for the equality and justice for their race. They fought against the racist South during the early 1960’s. Their goal was to make a safer and more fair world for current and future African Americans in the United States. They went through hardship and violence from things such as, angry mobs and racist law enforcement through a period ofRead MoreEssay about Freedom Riders1575 Words   |  7 Pages Freedom Riders â€Å"Freedom Riders† were a group of people, both black and white, who were civil rights activists from the North who â€Å"meant to demonstrate that segregated travel on interstate buses, even though banned by an I.C.C. Ruling, were still being enforced throughout much of the South† (The South 16). The Riders attempted to prove this by having a dozen or so white and black Freedom Riders board buses in the North and travel through Southern cities. This was all â€Å"a coldly calculated attemptRead MoreFreedom Riders: Rebels with a Cause1400 Words   |  6 PagesFreedom Riders: Rebels with a Cause â€Å"If not us, then who? If not now, then when? Will there be a better day for it tomorrow or next year? Will it be less dangerous then? Will someone else’s children have to risk their lives instead of us risking ours?† -- John Lewis May 16, 1961, to other Nashville students considering joining the Freedom Rides John Lewis, a young black man who was born in the South, participated in the Freedom Rides. His statement rang true when Nashville students were faced