I don’t know about you guys, but I had never even heard of Claudette Colvin until reading Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose because it was assigned to me. It shocks me that her story is not well known nationally and taught throughout American schools. It upsets me that her story is not common knowledge. I wish there was a way to let American’s know about such a heroic child in our country's history of the civil rights movement. This nonfiction story gives faith to young people to let them know that kids can make a difference too. It shows proof that kids can and have done things in the past to change history. I wish more students learned about Claudette Colvin in school because they can relate to her age. Rosa Parks is an American who everyone looks up to, and everyone knows who she is, but what about Claudette Colvin? Why was her story pushed aside?
Bridget McDonnell
I also had never known about Claudette Colvin and was moved to similar emotions about the topic. I understand why her story was pushed aside (at the time) by those part of the movement since Claudette was an easier target for opposition (though that certainly doesn't justify the way the movement treated her), but I don't understand why she silenced herself and is still not talked about today. It was a reporter/writer who sought her out and not the other way around--I'm not sure what I think about that. But now I also wonder how many other Claudette Colvins are out there? How many historical voices have been ignored?
ReplyDeleteI think we all had similar reactions about Claudette Colvin. She's an unsung hero, but she never really chased after it either. I'm not all the way finished with the book, but when I started reading I had to Google her because she preceded the actions of Rosa Parks by 9 months and yet no one has ever heard of her. And to only think that if she hadn't been pregnant, she might of been the face of the Civil Rights movement rather than Rosa Parks. -- It seems like Colvin was discriminated by white people and people of her own race, she couldn't be the face of change because she was pregnant? How many other people have been blown off because of image?
ReplyDeleteI was pretty angry when I learned about her story. I'm a history major and I have never been taught about Claudette Colvin or the other people in this book who stood up for their rights. The Civil Rights Movement is taught to students in a pretty skewed manner. I hope that all the future teachers in this class keep this in mind and educate their future students about the other important figures of the Civil Rights Movement.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Claudette Colvin's story should be taught in middle school/high school. Every student should learn about her story, she started the bus boycott movement by refusing to get up. Rosa Parks, although a heroic and influential participant in the Civil Rights movement, only refused to get up after Claudette set the example. Claudette's story can show teens that they can make a difference and they can be strong. I only hope that they don't read her story and she how she was shunned and feel they will be treated the same way. Hopefully Claudette's story will be introduced into schools and students will be able to learn about such a strong and influential teen.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I had a chance to learn more about the Civil Rights movement in Nashville, TN. I was a camp councilor for Wyman Leadership camp and two gentleman who participated in the civil rights movement in Nashville told us about their protests at lunch counters, movie theaters, and finally buses.
ReplyDeleteDuring our learning about the movement we learned that activists were rigorously trained in non-violent
protest.
They would line up protesters at a table to emulate the conditions they may encounter while protesting. They would have antagonizers verbally and physically abuse the protesters to the best of their ability. This included copious use of racial slurs, pouring hot coffee on their heads and hitting them with chairs all without them fighting back. This was all even before they protested and were really hurt by antagonists.
- Jason McCoy
Wow, Jason your post took me by surprise. I had no idea that there was that kind of brutal training in non-violent protest.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a quote from Dr. MLK Jr. that I've read:
True pacifism is not unrealistic submission to evil power. It is rather a courageous confrontation of evil by the power of love.
The people who participated in the Civil Rights movement were so courageous and composed. It is hard for me to imagine keeping that kind enlightened attitude under such hateful circumstances.
What was even more amazing is that the two civil rights leaders did a mock demonstration with the campers.
ReplyDeleteThe leaders acted as demonstration trainers. They lined up campers in the same way that they were lined up for the real protest and shouted racial slurs at them, poured coffee cups of cottonballs on their heads, and pretended to hit them with chairs.
It was really intense but I believe that it got the point across in a way that they (and I) will never forget.
- Jason McCoy