The Freedom Rides of the 1960’s

They drew “national attention to the harsh reality of segregation and put pressure on the federal government to enforce in law,” (“Freedom Riders”). Who were ‘they’ exactly? The Freedom Riders. The goal of the Freedom Rides was to gain attention from the Kennedy administration to enforce a ruling that would make segregation of bus terminals and stations that served interstate travelers illegal (Layman 320). Despite the problems and cruel torture they received, the Freedom Riders had many goals they wished to accomplish, did many dangerous things, and overall had successful long-term effects on society and people in general.

The Freedom Riders had many goals they wanted to accomplish. The Congress of Racial Equality, CORE for short, “proposed a new “Journey of Reconciliation” called the “Freedom Rides.” Freedom Rides played a big part in getting the Civil Rights Movement more attention.” Groups of blacks and whites would ride a bus to the south and purposely go against the social norm (“Freedom Rides”). CORE started these bus rides to test whether the buses and stations were following the Supreme Court rulings (“Freedom Riders”). There were many reasons that had triggered these goals. “The [Jim Crow] laws affected almost every aspect of daily life, mandating segregation of schools, parks, libraries, drinking fountains, restrooms, buses, trains, and restaurants. “Whites Only” and “Colored” signs were constant reminders of the enforced racial order.” Colored people also had to endure what they called “separate but equal”. This was a complete lie because blacks and whites can both use a drinking fountain, for example, but the whites’ drinking fountain is more clean and taken care of, while the blacks are dirty and less cared for. So...

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...n and the world,” (“Freedom Riders”). The Riders did have many downfalls in the process, “but [their] efforts transformed the civil rights movement,” (“Freedom Rides”). Overall, the multiple revolts had a positive impact in the long run.

The Freedom Riders had many goals to accomplish, did many dangerous things, and still had successful long-term effects on society and people, despite the problems and cruel actions that they received. They did not accomplish every goal they set, but they did successfully accomplish some. They had many cruel, tortuous things happen to them, but still never lost hope. And lastly, the effects they had changed many people’s opinions on racism in a positive way. They had changed history forever by all their courageous acts. So, not only did they help themselves and the people around them, but they helped the world become a better place.