Claudette Colvin

In the summer of 2010, I taught myself and 5th graders about Claudette Colvin. I didn't know that the woman that I read about in history books, the woman who teachers professed to be the harbinger of the civil rights era, Rosa Parks, negated the legacy of another honorable woman, Claudette Colvin. Some say history is omitted, and thats because key figures that inspired a movement get lost amongst those that mainstream historians officially christened as civil rights champions (ie: MLK Jr and Rosa Parks) However, the likes of Ms. Colvin are overlooked, yet she was 15 when she boldly refused to give up her seat for a white person in Montgomery, Alabama. She did so nine months prior to Parks refusal. Colvin was immediately handcuffed and dragged off the bus. She was the primary witness for the court case the desegregated the bus system in Montgomery. She was 16 when she testified. While today's young women get to live off of her sacrifice, Ms. Colvin, says that "history had her glued to her seat." I saw Ms. Colvin in an Black History discussion two weeks ago and have been meaning to write about the experience. It was surreal to hug her, on behalf of all my Freedom School children. Her spirit oozes with humility as she told the audience of the time when white people referred to her father using two names "boy" or his first name. It occurred to be that Ms. Colvin has seen decades come and decades go. Her perspective is rich, and stories run deep. As my elder, I'm glad I sat at the foot of her feet as she retold what she did so we could ride together. I notice in my commutes how diverse the buses are. The only time I have to give up my seat is for an elderly or differently abled-bodied person. It is surreal that sixty years ago, that act was determined by color of skin. This month I honor Claudette's legacy, as the hero that deserves her rightly place in history books and a place among the well-known heroes. She proves young people, can too stand up and make a difference that will be carried out for a lifetime.