Montgomery Bus Boycott

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“did not understand what all the fuss and the difficulty had been about” when African Americans were seated on the buses as equals (Barrett, 1956). Shortly after the Supreme Court called for the desegregation of buses, responses to black folks riding the bus were, for the most part, positive (despite having inevitable negative responses from the masses) with newspapers documenting the events at the time, claiming that “a Negro turned in one bus to ask a white passenger sitting behind him — the mark of the new order — what time it was and got a quick courteous reply” (Barrett, 1956). Although it came slowly, the shift of cultural values — from minority inferiority to equal treatment of all races — finally began to happen as a result of the year-long boycotting. America’s mindset slowly began to break away from its racist ideals and found itself in a more equal state of mind, although still lacking. Without the progress committed by the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the integration of equal treatment in our society would have come much more difficulty than it had. By rejecting the Montgomery Bus Boycott from our history textbooks, we reject a large part of the history of progress and Civil Rights in America.

Finally, the Montgomery Bus Boycott holds large significance to American history and thus should remain in American textbooks because it inspired legislation to pass laws legally banning segregation on buses and allowed for further declaration of unconstitutional segregation in society. As a result of the 381-day boycott, the Supreme Court ultimately ordered for the desegregation of buses in Montgomery and integration of its bus system. It was declared in Browder v. Gayle in 1956 that bus segregation would become unconstitutional in Montgomery, ultimately ending the Montgomery Boycott. As a result of this, Martin Luther King Jr. expanded the nonviolent Civil Rights Movement all throughout the deep South. Although it was a difficult and treacherous journey, King, along with the help from the black community, eventually reached out to other areas in the South and succeeded at desegregating business and jobs in Birmingham. As a catalyst for change, the Montgomery Bus Boycott led to many different nonviolent peaceful protests, such as the March on Washington for jobs and freedom in 1963. In 1968, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 was signed, ending the long and successful Civil Rights Movement, proving that the Montgomery Bus Boycott was one of “the greatest examples of civic engagement in the 20th century” (Selma to Montgomery March Videos). With the Montgomery Bus Boycotts as the basis for social change, the African American community moved and expanded all throughout the US with hard work and determination, the main aspects crucial to understanding the building of America. (The Bus Boycott Sparks a Movement)

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a significant period of time that allowed the African American community a voice. It was the beginning of an era that is largely attributed for ending one of the nation’s biggest racial issues. It was through the Montgomery Bus Boycott that nonviolent peaceful techniques were put into play. As a true catalyst for change, the boycott began the Civil Rights Movement and introduced to the African American community new leaders and ideas that put them in the forefront of politics and social change in America. Specifically, the Montgomery Bus Boycott brought for cultural change, paving the way for the elimination of white supremacist and racist ideals. It brought about social change, giving African Americans a voice and new means of coping with the extremely harsh issues they endured. It brought about legal changes, declaring certain acts unconstitutional and illegal. Without the help of the boycott, America’s journey towards equality would have staggered much worse than it already had. This pivotal event teaches us that change does not happen overnight nor does it come easily. Change comes with patience, perseverance, effort, and time as evidenced by the events that took place in 1950’s Alabama. All of these important aspects are taught to us through the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The hard work of America’s people is established in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Thus, it is only right that the Montgomery Bus Boycott is accredited for the change it brought upon our society. It is only right that the events that birthed the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement remain in our history textbooks as it teaches us of the very real history and struggle of American people, as it teaches us of the story of America.