Historical Spotlight: Montgomery Bus Boycott
Being on code is one of the most important and powerful things a socioeconomic group can do in society. Not only does it foster camaraderie amongst individuals, but it also sends a message to the powers that be. Throughout history, Black Americans have had to rely on each other to fight through adversity in hopes of receiving equal treatment. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott and its long lasting economic and social impacts.
Segregation was difficult for Black Americans and they often faced unjust reprimand from using similar facilities as other white patrons. Years before the Montgomery Bus Boycott actually began, there were a few individuals like Vernon Johns and Claudette Colvin who challenged the bus segregation laws, but the movement didn’t fully take off until the incident with Rosa Parks in November 1955.
Rosa, a 42-year old seamstress and NAACP member, sat in the ‘colored’ section of the bus for her ride home one afternoon. At that time, Montgomery bus drivers routinely forced Black Americans to give up their seats for white passengers, and many were unable to fight back due to the risk of arrest for refusing to obey orders. Throughout her ride home, the white seating section rapidly became full, and Rosa was ordered to give up her seat. She refused and was ultimately arrested.
The Black community in Montgomery immediately went into action after hearing of Rosa’s arrest. By December 2nd, over 50,000 protest leaflets were spread around town and local Black leaders formed the Montgomery Improvement Association to begin a boycott and open negotiations with the bus company. At the time, over 70% of the city’s bus patrons were Black Americans, signifying a multitude of economic ramifications if the boycott lasted long.
The Montgomery Improvement Association established a carpool to help people get from place to place. Over 200 people volunteered their vehicles to assist and there were 100 pickup stations connecting the city. Donations were collected during gatherings at various Black churches to help fund the carpool.
The boycott had over a 90% success rate, and while average citizens found alternative methods of transportation, Fred Gray, lawyer of the Montgomery Improvement Association, organized a legal challenge to the city ordinances requiring segregation on city buses. After the Supreme Court outlawed segregation in public schools during the 1954 Brown v Board of Education case, Black leaders finally had ground to stand on to challenge segregation in other areas as well.
Fred gathered four women who had been previously mistreated on the city buses because of their race and argued their 14th Amendment right to equal protection of the law was violated. On June 5, 1956, a three-judge U.S. District Court ruled 2-1 that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.
The city of Montgomery initially refused to desegregate the public bus lines and appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that Alabama’s bus segregation laws were unconstitutional. The Montgomery buses were reluctantly desegregated after November 13, 1956.
The boycott lasted for nearly a year. Many supporters walked to work, used the carpool system, or took station-wagon “rolling taxis” donated by local churches. For that entire year, Montgomery City Lines were almost empty, and lost between $30,000 and $40,000 in bus fares each day during the boycott. It made such an impact that the Montgomery Improvement Association leaders and even carpool drivers started getting harassed by the city and local police desperate to end the boycott.
Many Black Americans who supported the movement took pride in standing against the segregation laws, especially after the winning result of the Brown v Board of Education case. It sparked hope that the unconstitutional ruling would penetrate and permeate other areas, ultimately improving daily life for almost all Black Americans.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott is one real life example of just how impactful it is when Black Americans get on code against injustice. Those in the fight might have grown weary from walking multiple miles each day and coordinating carpool pickups, but they understood the importance of continuing on until they got the change they wanted.
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Signed,
Jessica Marie
