Telling Claudette Colvin's Important Civil Rights Story
Erika Paul, Pre-Professional in our Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division, reflects on the significance of Civil Rights pioneer Claudette Colvin through a new display—sixty years after her courageous yet understated act:
Do we ever consider the contribution of teens during the Civil Rights Movement—who they were and what happened to them? We often remember leaders such as Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, who made radical changes for the black community, but in fact teenagers during the Civil Rights Movement also made their mark in the battle against inequality.
In March 1955 Claudette Colvin, 15, was pulled off a bus, handcuffed, and taken to jail because she refused to give up her seat for a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. This event took place nine months before Rosa Parks became a major figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
Today, Bronx resident Colvin, now 76, is celebrated in a new flash display in the Schomburg's Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division as the remarkable teenager who stood up for her rights. Through newspaper clippings, books, and photographs, Colvin's important story continues to be shared with audiences.
Read E-Books with SimplyE
With your library card, it's easier than ever to choose from more than 300,000 e-books on SimplyE, The New York Public Library's free e-reader app. Gain access to digital resources for all ages, including e-books, audiobooks, databases, and more.
If you don’t have an NYPL library card, New York State residents can apply for a digital card online or through SimplyE (available on the App Store or Google Play).
Need more help? Read our guide to using SimplyE.
Comments
Civil Rights Movement
Submitted by Anthony J. Robinson (not verified) on December 18, 2015 - 4:23pm
Thanks a lot for sharing the
Submitted by shanesimon (not verified) on May 6, 2016 - 7:51am