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By Michael Barksdale
Special to the Express
Recently, there has been some controversy surrounding Jackie Robinson's legacy. The U.S. Department of Defense temporarily removed a webpage detailing Robinson's military service during World War II as part of a broader effort to remove content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This decision sparked public backlash, leading to the page being restored shortly after.
The article in question highlighted Robinson's time in the Army, including his court-martial and acquittal for refusing to move to the back of a bus in 1944. This event predated his historic role in breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier. I was surprised to learn about this incident, as I was only familiar with Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin. Curious, I sought more information about the use of buses as pivotal tools in the Civil Rights Movement. Here's a summary of how Black individuals utilized buses not just for transportation, but as key instruments in their fight for justice.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, buses became a powerful symbol in the fight for racial equality. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, key events on public transportation helped dismantle segregation and bring about lasting change. Here’s a look at some of the most important moments in the struggle for justice on America’s buses.
Irene Morgan’s Supreme Court Victory (1944-1946)
Years before Rosa Parks, Irene Morgan refused to give up her seat on an interstate bus in Virginia. She was arrested, but her case reached the U.S. Supreme Court. In Morgan v. Virginia (1946), the Court ruled that segregation on interstate buses was unconstitutional. However, many Southern states ignored the decision, setting the stage for further protests.
Jackie Robinson’s Bus Incident (1944)
During World War II, Jackie Robinson, then an Army officer, was involved in his own bus-related act of defiance. While stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Robinson refused to move to the back of a military bus when ordered to do so. He was arrested and court-martialed, but he was later acquitted. This incident foreshadowed his later role in breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier and demonstrated his lifelong commitment to fighting racial injustice.
The Baton Rouge Bus Boycott (1953)
In one of the first organized bus boycotts against segregation, Black residents of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, protested unfair bus policies by refusing to ride. The boycott, which lasted eight days, forced the city to make changes, such as allowing Black passengers to sit in empty seats rather than standing at the back. Though short-lived, this movement served as a blueprint for future boycotts.
Claudette Colvin’s Arrest (1955)
On March 2, 1955, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus. She was arrested and became one of the first people to challenge bus segregation in the courts. While her case was overshadowed by Rosa Parks later that year, Colvin played a crucial role in the legal battle against segregation.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)
The modern Civil Rights Movement gained national attention when Rosa Parks was arrested on December 1, 1955, for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. Her arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a mass protest led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that lasted 381 days. The boycott put economic pressure on the bus system and ended when the Supreme Court ruled in Browder v. Gayle (1956) that bus segregation was unconstitutional.
The Freedom Rides (1961)
Despite Supreme Court rulings against segregation, many Southern states continued to enforce discriminatory laws. In 1961, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) launched the Freedom Rides, where interracial groups of activists rode buses through the South to challenge segregation at bus stations. Riders faced violent attacks, including a bus bombing in Anniston, Alabama. Their bravery led the federal government to enforce desegregation in all interstate travel facilities.
A Lasting Legacy
Each of these events played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement, proving that everyday actions—whether refusing to give up a seat or boycotting buses—could spark national change. Today, these moments remain powerful reminders of the fight for justice and equality in America.
