“Freedom Riders” is an insightful and impressive film regarding the non-violent movement for civil rights in the early 1960’s. The plan was the brainchild of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). The idea was that several supporters of the civil rights movement-black, white, male, and female-would board commercial buses and travel from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans, Louisiana in May of 1961.
There are several parts of the film that speak to the viewer. The first, and most notable, is that nearly a century following the Civil War, human beings, regardless of race or gender, could still be treated with such disrespect, inhumanity, and indignity. Next, in spite of two Supreme Court rulings that intrastate travel be desegregated, the “law of the land” was ignored and defied by state and local officials in the Deep South. Finally, the number of protesters who became Freedom Riders, even after the first attempts had been thwarted by violence, was startling.
There were several reasons for the riders to volunteer for this undertaking. It was an attempt to stir awareness of the civil rights movement with non-violent means. The Freedom Rides were intended to be a “peaceful” defiance of segregation policies. It was a method to examine how those of both races would be treated at various stops along the route, such as in restaurants, waiting areas, etc. By exposing the still existent Jim Crow policies of the Deep South, it was hoped that media coverage would bring the problem to the attention of the rest of the nation, and ultimately, the rest of the world. It did just that.
Even though intrastate segregation had been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, those in the Deep South still believed in the deep-rooted conviction of states’ rights, and the Confederate state of mind. The southern states remained rebellious, even in the twentieth century, and were unwilling to part with traditional beliefs.
John F. Kennedy’s stance on civil rights did not sit well with fellow Democrats in the south who continued to embrace segregation. He could ill afford to offend southern Democratic Party leaders when attempting to seek their support for other agendas. Moreover, a divided party would not be to his advantage when seeking re-election.
Perhaps the most obvious result of the Freedom Rides was the ultimate removal of the signs from bus terminals and train stations that were intended to segregate travelers. U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy compelled the Interstate Commerce Commission to order the removal of all of this type of signage in order to desegregate these buildings. The Freedom Rides set in motion the idea that non-violent protest can achieve results. It succeeded in bringing together people from all walks of life in support of civil rights. The Freedom Rides had personal impact, as well. Genevieve Houghton, a Freedom Rider, stated, “I'd learned to be afraid overnight. I was no longer this fearless rider. I was no longer so interested in dying for the cause. I appreciated being alive” (20). Charles Person, also a Freedom Rider, said, “ as beaten, as weary as we were, we wanted to continue. But I think we were pretty much traumatized” (20).
In spite of the progress that has been made, civil right issues still persist. Blacks continue to be singled out and targeted, and racial profiling is a problem. There is increasing prejudice toward Muslims, and the LGBT community. The only way to address the problem is to continue to pressure lawmakers and courts to insist upon fair treatment of all citizens, regardless of social, racial, economic, or gender status. Citizens need to continue to use their voices in bringing about change. Violence does nothing but beget violence, and it casts a dark shadow on the cause at hand.
Works Cited
“Freedom Riders.” American Experience. Public Broadcasting System. May 16, 2011. Web. 24 June, 2016. Transcript.
