Since its independence in 1776, United States of America has had a bad history of racism where habitually towards its black community. Socially and legally approved rights and privileges were given mostly to white American but not to the African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Native Americans. There were separate schools for the whites and other communities (Winter 12). Voting rights were exclusively for whites as other communities were not allowed to participate in political affairs of the nation. There were various prejudices against minorities only recognized by whites as descendants of slaves. The unfair treatment of these groups was observed in many institutions across the United States of America. Even seating in buses was racially designed with whites being given priority over blacks. For a long time, no one in America spoke strongly against the racial prejudices (Williams 11). There was no judicial support for the fight, and therefore it did not bear any fruit. Majority of blacks opt not to comply with the racial laws and regulations for fear of violence from the white supremacists group who could do anything to protect these injustices. However, in towards the end of 19th century, a growing group of Americans started fighting for justice and equity for all Americans regardless of their social background and color. In the early 1940s and 1950s, the struggle against racial segregation started picking serious momentum in most parts of the United States (Winter 12). Black Americans and the white sympathizers as well as other civil rights activists across all races joined hands to push for reforms and inclusivity in American societies. A court case of 1954, Brown v. Board of Education at the Supreme Court was a landmark in the fight against social injustices(Winter 13). The judges presiding over the case rules that separate educational facilities for black community were unconstitutional. The court ruling was angered many whites especially those from white supremacists group. They vowed not to respect the ruling and continue with these racially biased laws. However the next year, 1955, a major protest began against bus transport in Alabama where despite the black majority, they were to sit on the rear seats of the bus and give way their bus seats to white riders in case the bus is full and they cannot find seats. The front spaces of the bus were reserved for whites (Williams 17). One woman, Rosa Parks, was the main cause of Montgomery protests. Before the demonstration, she refused to yield her seat to white American when the bus was full. Later she the authorities arrested and arraigned her in court and fined $14. Her case came nine months after the arrest of a 15-year-old Colvin for the same act. Women political council group called for the boycott of the bus system. Blacks were to avoid using Montgomery buses to and from work as well as other places. Black leaders who met to discuss the protest chose Martin Luther Junior as their overall leader. They demanded courtesy and employment of black drivers. Moreover, they wanted the seating arrangement to be based on a first-come first-policy(Winter 15). They organized carpooling where they were charged the same fare as the bus. These sustained the boycott for 381 days. On June 1956, the court declared segregation on buses illegal and unconstitutional. This was a major achievement towards the fight for justice. Reflecting back on the Montgomery bus protest, it can be said that the civil right activists and accomplished a milestone in the fight for the rights of every American. Looking back at the bus boycott, this essay will discuss how beneficial the protest was to the United States of American society.
First, the boycott gave the civil rights activist confidence to continue fighting for the equality in their society. It created a path for ending if not reducing racism in American institutions. The movement fashioned deep and lifelong changes in the United States of America. White communities started to rethink their relationship with blacks as many cases of racial motivated were won in courts. Its success brought Martin Luther into the limelight, and he made a major contribution in the fight for civil liberty (Tufekci 18). His speeches inspired many people who continued the fight for social justice. As the captain of the black civil rights activist, he spearheaded nonviolence ways to protest against injustices in the society. Many who came after him followed his footsteps. Luther, after Montgomery Bus Boycott, formed Southern Christian Conferences to fight for more changes in the society as far social ill and racial prejudices are concerned. He moved around the country from one state to the other giving speeches that were later used to change the society after his assassination. All these were from the momentum of bus boycott success in Montgomery (Thornton III 40). His effort and role in the boycott came to self-realization and consciousness to fight and achieve more for the American society.
Another benefit of the boycott that was immediate was the drop of unfair treatment of African especially by the use of racially biased laws that were enacted to deny African-American privileges that are same as those to whites. African-Americans also gained self-assurance that they can fight have one victory at a time and continued to fight for the abolition of racial policies in various institutions (Shultziner 117). The bus boycott awakened the black community that much can be achieved when they unite to fight for a common voice. Others like Martin Luther became more courageous and did not fear death as he said in his last speech before the assassination.
Consequently, Montgomery Bus Boycott exposed the loose judicial system that the United States had at the time. The sweet words of freedom and equality that were written in the declaration of independence were not being practiced. Many judges would make their ruling favoring the interest of the white supremacists. When the case of racial seating arrangement was brought before the courts, few months after the supreme court banned it, the high court judge, Groom, stated that the matter involved a private business and no racial discrimination on its face. These show how laws were applied selectively and judgment designed to serve the interest of the whites. Also, it can be said that the bus boycott was beneficial as it put the courts and the judicial system on the spot (Guinier and Torres. 2740). There were reviews of the policies and laws that were passed to favor whites and discriminate against blacks. Laws were reviewed to assess their alignment with the constitution and the wishes of the founders of the nation as stated in the declaration of independence. At times the lawyers and judges that supported segregation could not defend it and constitution simultaneously. Constitution talked about the rights of all citizens of the United States and their freedom, and it did not particularize whether some of those rights were for whites and others were for the blacks(Chong 15). As the law says, any legislation that does not conform to the constitution null and void, the judges, though white was forced to recognize the unconstitutionality of the policies of segregation taking a case study of Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The judicial review that was not done directly but by aligning various policies with the requirement of the constitution gave Africa- America confidence in the judiciary. Ruling on Montgomery Bus Boycott was a major boost to the faith of blacks in their judicial system. The courts became their refuge, and they would go there to seek justice whenever they feel their rights were violated (Alderman, Kingsbury and Owen 171). This was better than engaging in violence to fight for those rights as it was observed before the boycott. Although at times they faced setbacks in the same courts they started to trust; there was hope that all were to be well someday and their rights would be granted. Besides, Montgomery Bus Boycott caught the attention of the whole nation as it was reported in major newspapers like New York Times. This was a benefit as the whole nation, both whites and blacks could see the rot in their society. It was reported that some whites started supporting blacks after the incidence a clear indication of a change of attitude(Alderman, Kingsbury and Owen 171). America was not going to be a better society if they did not change their attitude, which the boycott, though did not fully, change the whole society, it gained some support from the whites, and this was rare occurrence given the years of racial segregation. In other words, this was the first fight against racial discrimination that went felt nationwide.
The benefit that came with boycott being heard and felt nationally is that it made it possible for other discriminated blacks in other parts of the country also to start fighting for their rights. Also, the seriousness black community in the push for equality was observed. The authorities were disturbed not because the blacks were rising against the social ill but because their negligence and subtle support of the injustice against black community were being exposed and the judgments on various cases favoring blacks embarrassed some of them(Alderman, Kingsbury and Owen 171). While it was difficult for them to admit the unfairness in their society, it was no longer a secret that their services were no for all Americans.
Additionally, the harassment stopped as there was nothing the whites could do about the court decision. Even though there was violence against blacks after the court ruling banning segregation, the public harassment of blacks in buses including calling them niggers reduced. There was a bit of respect gained with the judgment. Even though this was a short-term achievement of the bus boycott, its benefit was more psychological(Tufekci 18). There was sense of belonging that African- America started to feel about themselves and the place they call home. The country gained self-rule from the British only to colonize part of its communities. The struggle for freedom and civil rights for the black community continued. The benefit was not going to be immediate but definite. It set the pace and gave a direction that most struggles took. The fruits these struggles are now being enjoyed by generations several decades later. Even if it placed the black communities at logger's head with the Alabama authorities, at least someone needed to stand up for them, and there was no right time for it(Tufekci 18). The opportunity presented itself with the arrest of Rosa Parks that they could not have left to pass by while they are watching injustice thrive.
Likewise, it was a test for the African-America’s unity, which was obvious given the period the boycott lasted before things resume normalcy. Blacks came to realize that they can always stand together and achieve much as far as racial discrimination is concerned. There are those who offered their taxis and private cars to transport people from work and to work every day for the next three eighty-three days. This was a show of unity that only the bus boycott made them realize(Williams 11). Currently, the Americans can use one bus without much difficulties on who the seating arrangements. Discrimination even in education institutions does no longer exist anymore.
The little steps that make major changes are what can be used to describe the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The immediate consequences were not desirable as it exposes blacks to more violence from members of the white supremacists. However, it had a long-term benefit that is now being enjoyed several years later. The whites in the USA can now live with blacks well without any suspicion, and the same can be said of the whites(Tufekci 18). Abolition of racial segregation that started with small efforts and courage of People like Rosa Parks made American a better society and even electing its first black president, Barak Obama, in 2008 presidential elections. His election could not have been possible if the bus boycott could not have happened. There are other struggles though that followed the boycott but it was the genesis of more defiant black communities and the disappointments of the white supremacists as the privileges were no longer for the whites but all Americans(Williams 18). Racial discrimination started to reduce in most places as the struggle continued it moved from public places to mostly private regions and later to total abolition of segregation to all areas. The black leaders who came after the likes of Martin Luther, Rosa Parks, already had role models thus continued the fight until it achieved the society they can all be proud of including the whites who hated blacks so much. Equality has been observed even in workplaces. The blacks started rising since bus boycott incidence making subtle steps with triumph and disappointments((Williams 21). The confidence and momentum were the results of the Montgomery Boycott, and it spread beyond Alabama to other states.
In sum, it is right to say that the Montgomery boycott was beneficial but of course did not result in immediate success that the black communities could have been proud of at the time. The people who struggle and victimized during the bus boycott did not benefit much as some of them like Martin Luther King Junior’s life ended in assassination. However, the achievements of the incidence can only be counted many decades later.
The boycott was a journey of pain and struggles. Several judges who started giving rulings against segregation citing that it violated the constitution somehow helped in reviewing of the judicial system. Also, it made headlines of several influential newspapers like New York Time making it a national concern. The black in other states was motivated, they realize the importance of unity of purpose. On the other side, the whites underestimated the black unity and what they can achieve together as far as the fight against racial segregation is concerned. Leaders like Martin Luther King Junior also got a platform to start their serious human right crusade. He formed another movement to push for reforms giving inspiring speeches that still being emulated to date. They picked impetus from the Montgomery Bus Boycott after realizing how much a crowd of peaceful demonstrated can achieve. Ending of the racial seating arrangement in the buses were some of the short-term benefits of the shunning the buses. African-Americans communities also began to trust their courts that for a long time have ruled against them even in cases where evidence is indisputable. Trusting the courts was one step towards stopping the violence way of reacting to racial injustices. Also, they started having a sense of belonging because the laws could favor them, which was rare in periods before the boycott.
Most importantly, the Montgomery gave the civil rights movement a clear direction to that was later followed by many leaders. No form of intimidation should stop the fight for a better society as the achievement cannot be immediate but definite. Looking back on the event of that day, the accomplishments of the boycott can now be seen. Just like any change that usually faces resistant, the changes needed by blacks were not the only exemption. The whites reacted the court ruling banning racial seating arrangements in public transport. These were just but small steps towards what is being seen today as a better society where there is lots of respect for people of different races. If the boycott could not have happened, even Barak, the son of a black man could not have contested for the presidency. The benefit of this incidence was more a long-term issue than what blacks could achieve or enjoy just hours after the ban on segregation in buses. Other demonstrations followed, but the momentum or morale was based on what happened on that day in Montgomery. The Unity of the black became stronger than before the boycott incidence. They assisted each other in various ways. As explained several paragraphs above, there were subtle benefits that came decades later. Most people did not see this as they focus on the violent reaction of the white supremacists group to conclude that the bus boycott should not have happened. Those who participated in the boycott can today look back with pride that they fought hard with pain and violence to create the freedom and rights that everyone is now enjoying in the United States of America. In all instructions in America right now, racism is outdated, the black and whites can now board buses or train together and ride to their destinations without forcing the other to yield seat for a white.
Work Cited
Alderman, Derek H., Paul Kingsbury, and Owen J. Dwyer. "Reexamining the Montgomery bus boycott: Toward an empathetic pedagogy of the civil rights movement." The Professional Geographer 65.1 (2013): 171-186.
Chong, Dennis. Collective action and the civil rights movement. University of Chicago Press, 2014.
Guinier, Lani, and Gerald Torres. "Changing the wind: Notes toward a demosprudence of law and social movements." Yale LJ 123 (2013): 2740.
Shultziner, Doron. "The social-psychological origins of the Montgomery bus boycott: Social interaction and humiliation in the emergence of social movements." Mobilization: An International Quarterly 18.2 (2013): 117-142.
Thornton III, J. Mills. "Challenge and Response in the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955–1956." Alabama Review 67.1 (2014): 40-112.
Tufekci, Zeynep. "After the Protest." New York Times 19 (2014).
Williams, Juan. Eyes on the prize: America's civil rights years, 1954-1965. Penguin, 2013.
Winter, Max. Civil Rights Movement. ABDO, 2014.
