All peace-makers, please join us at Ethical for the Gandhi/King Season for Non-violence special event on March 28th by making a reservation for yourself now at www.gandhikingsfn.org
And read on for a special resource about the Civil Rights Movement.
Many people have grown up learning the quintessential story of the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. King’s dream and Rosa Parks being tired on a bus. We often learn mythologies of real stories, watered down and curated for ease. As Americans reclaim history through first hand accounts that can inform more complete understandings, it is stunning to detect the mythologies and fill in the holes. This is an ongoing process and an essential one — making history more accurate, more vivid, and more human. Below, is my attempt to share a version of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, as I’ve come to understand it. This updated version features teen-activist
Claudette Colvin.
A brave teen bus-rider named Claudette Colvin
A brave teen bus-rider named Claudette Colvin
Sat though she was Black.
Claudette was grabbed and locked in jail.
Claudette was grabbed and locked in jail,
Lawyer FRED GRAY came to help.
*
“Tell them,” said Rosa, “How you sat on the bus!”
“Tell them,” said Rosa, “How you sat on the bus,
And also tell them WHY!”
*
~~~(Quote below from Claudette Colvin:)~~~
“With Sojourner Truth on one shoulder

From statue of Sojourner Truth
and Harriet Tubman on the other shoulder,
I just could NOT get up!
History had me glued to the seat”
CHAPTER 3

Statue of Harriet Tubman
*
Nine months later, Rosa sparked change
Nine months later, Rosa sparked change
By getting arrested on the Montgomery bus.
*
On the bus, Rosa said, “I’ll sit right down”
Rosa Parks said, “I’ll sit right down.
I won’t give up my seat!”
*
The driver on the bus said
“Obey the rules.”
The driver on the bus said “Obey the rules.
Even if the rules are unfair.”
*
Rosa Parks said, “I’m tired of one thing.“
Rosa Park said “I’m tired of one thing
I’m tired of giving in!”
*
The Policeman said, “We’re taking you to jail.”
The Policeman said “We’re taking you to jail,
For refusing to give up your seat!”
Protesters said “The rules are unfair!“
Protesters said “The rules are unfair!

Dr. King
RACIST laws need to change!”
*
“To stand up for justice, we’ll walk instead
To stand up for justice, we’ll walk instead
Of taking a racist ride.”
*
A young leader named Dr. Martin Luther King
A young leader named Martin Luther King, Jr.
Led with values of NON-VIOLENCE.
*
The wheels on the bus went round and round
The wheels on the bus went round and round
but people walked and walked.
*
The manager of the bus said “We’re loosing money!”
The manager of the bus said “We’re loosing money!
Because people won’t ride our bus.”
*
The people of the town said “Change those rules“
The people of the town said “Change those rules
Then we’ll ride your bus”
*
They walked in the winter, spring, summer and fall,
They walked in the winter, spring, summer and fall,
They walked for over a year.

Lawyer Fred Gray
*
They also carpooled to help one another.
They also carpooled to help one another
“Let’s BOYCOTT that bus!”
*
Fred Gray said, “This is UNCONSTITUTIONAL”
Fred Gray said “This is UNCONSTITUTIONAL”
In the United States Supreme Court.
*
He asked Claudette to TESTIFY
He asked Claudette to testify
In the case of “Browder vs. Gayle”