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Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice—A Haunting Tale of Twice-Denied Civil Rights

Clay Powell

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In 1955, Rosa Parks made history by refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. However, just nine months earlier, a 15-year-old girl named Claudette Colvin had done the same thing. Claudette's story is largely unknown, but it is just as powerful and inspiring as Rosa Parks'.

Claudette Colvin was born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1939. Her parents were sharecroppers, and she grew up in poverty. Despite the hardships she faced, Claudette was a bright and ambitious young woman. She was a good student and active in her community.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

by Muata Ashby

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	143 pages
File size	:	4324 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported

In March 1955, Claudette was riding a bus home from school when a white man got on and Free Downloaded her to give up her seat. Claudette refused, and the bus driver called the police. Claudette was arrested and taken to jail.

Claudette's arrest sparked outrage in the African American community in Montgomery. The NAACP got involved in her case, and they decided to make her the test case for challenging the city's segregation laws.

Claudette's trial was a turning point in the Montgomery bus boycott. Her courage and determination inspired other African Americans to stand up for their rights. The boycott lasted for over a year, and it eventually led to the desegregation of public transportation in Montgomery.

However, Claudette's victory was short-lived. After the boycott ended, she was expelled from school and ostracized by her community. She eventually left Montgomery and moved to New York City, where she worked as a nurse and a social worker.

In 2009, Claudette Colvin was finally awarded the Rosa Parks Award for her role in the Montgomery bus boycott. She has also been inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame.

Claudette Colvin's story is a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for civil rights in the United States. Her story is also a reminder that the fight for justice is not always easy, but it is always worth fighting for.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

By Phillip Hoose

Claudette Colvin was only 15 years old when she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. This act of defiance took place nine months before Rosa Parks' more famous act of civil disobedience, and it helped to spark the Montgomery bus boycott.

In her book, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, Phillip Hoose tells the story of a remarkable young woman who stood up for what she believed in, even when it meant facing arrest and ostracism. Hoose's book is a well-researched and engaging account of Colvin's life and activism. He draws on interviews with Colvin and her family, as well as archival research, to create a vivid portrait of a courageous young woman who played a key role in the civil rights movement.

Hoose's book is divided into two parts. The first part tells the story of Colvin's childhood and adolescence in Montgomery. Hoose paints a picture of a loving and supportive family, as well as a community that was deeply segregated. Colvin attended segregated schools and was subjected to the daily humiliations of Jim Crow. Despite these challenges, Colvin was a bright and ambitious young woman. She was an excellent student and a talented singer.

The second part of the book tells the story of Colvin's arrest and its aftermath. Hoose describes the trial in detail, and he provides a vivid account of the courage and determination that Colvin displayed in the face of adversity. Colvin was found guilty of violating the city's segregation laws, and she was sentenced to probation.

After her arrest, Colvin was expelled from school and ostracized by her community. She eventually left Montgomery and moved to New York City, where she worked as a nurse and a social worker. Colvin continued to fight for civil rights throughout her life, and she was awarded the Rosa Parks Award in 2009.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice is a powerful and inspiring story of courage, determination, and resilience. Hoose's book is a valuable addition to the literature on the civil rights movement, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in the fight for justice and equality.

Praise for Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

"A gripping account of a courageous young woman who stood up for what she believed in. Hoose's book is a valuable contribution to the literature on the civil rights movement." —Kirkus Reviews

"A well-written and inspiring story of a young woman who played a key role in the Montgomery bus boycott. Hoose's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the fight for justice and equality." —Booklist

"A powerful and moving story of a young woman who stood up for what she believed in. Hoose's book is a valuable addition to the literature on the civil rights movement." —The Horn Book

If you enjoyed Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, you may also enjoy:

* The Autobiography of Rosa Parks by Rosa Parks * Freedom Riders: The True Story of the Civil Rights Movement by Stanley Nelson * March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

by Muata Ashby

4.7 out of 5