Caucasians of the Civil Rights Movement
"Freedom Riders." www.rose-hulman.edu
Although the majority of the Civil Rights activists were black, some white people wanted to be involved as well. They noticed the unjust ways African-Americans were treated and wanted to help. Whites took part in the First Freedom Ride which consisted of buses which left from Washington, D.C. and continued down South. There were seven black people and six white people who took part in this. This took place on May 4, 1961. They often encountered angry racists and sometimes even danger. In Rock Hill, South Carolina, two of the Freedom Riders were injured by twenty white Southerners. In Anniston, Alabama, 200 angry people threw stones at the first bus and slashed its tires. When the second bus arrived however, the people of Anniston were furious. The attackers beat the Freedom Riders, boarded the bus and made them sit in the back of the bus all the way to Birmingham, Alabama. There an angry mob of people were waiting for them with their fists in the air and pipes. The Freedom Riders were severely beaten in Birmingham. The police did not show up until way after the beatings. The beatings endured by the Freedom Riders became national news (Rutherford). However, they did not give up.
Although a lot of Caucasians were racist during this time period, it is good to know that a few did stand up for what was right. They wanted to help their fellow African-American citizens. It also often times depended on where they lived. A young civil rights activist, by the name of Sheyann Webb, remembers white and black children sometimes playing together where she grew up (Levine, 1993). Sadly, however some children were brought up to be racist. In her memoir, Ruby Bridges mentions a little boy who would not play with her because his mom had told him not to. Bridges wrote, “I wasn’t angry at the boy, because I understood. His mother had told him not to play with me, and he was obeying her. I would have done the same thing” (Bridges). Although not all white children were raised by racist parents, many of them were; sadly, it was the only life they knew.
Although a lot of Caucasians were racist during this time period, it is good to know that a few did stand up for what was right. They wanted to help their fellow African-American citizens. It also often times depended on where they lived. A young civil rights activist, by the name of Sheyann Webb, remembers white and black children sometimes playing together where she grew up (Levine, 1993). Sadly, however some children were brought up to be racist. In her memoir, Ruby Bridges mentions a little boy who would not play with her because his mom had told him not to. Bridges wrote, “I wasn’t angry at the boy, because I understood. His mother had told him not to play with me, and he was obeying her. I would have done the same thing” (Bridges). Although not all white children were raised by racist parents, many of them were; sadly, it was the only life they knew.