Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Why are we only taught about Rosa Parks and her stand against segregation on the bus when there was a 15-year old, Claudette, who had already made a stand as well as Mary Louise Smith? I know, I know.....these two ladies weren't the poster-child for the bus boycott, but still. These two should be studied along with Rosa Parks.

This book is critical literacy, visual literacy, and global literacy. Hoose did an excellent job of telling this story, particularly when deciding to alternate between Claudette's recollections and then he filling in information. Incorporating the black and white photographs was a nice touch. The still photos brought depth to what I was reading. I certainly empathize with Claudette and what she and her people went through. I cannot imagine living in the world she lived in and fought against. And how sad that her own people turned their backs on her not once, but twice?! She helped her people in so many ways, only to be shunned. Even the white people who helped the black people were turned on by their own people. Juliette Morgan, a white librarian, had written a letter to the Montgomery newspaper commending the way the black people had conducted the boycott with dignity. Unfortunately, people of the white community were not so pleased with her letter, and they tormented her. They tormented her so much that she committed suicide.

My emotions were a roller coaster while reading this book: glad, sad, angry, happy, couldn't believe what I was reading. I am so glad that Hoose was persistent and found Claudette so he could tell her story. It's so incredible. This is a story that I will never forget. I plan to make sure that the History/Social Studies teachers at my school know about Claudette Colvin. I am also going to urge them to talk about her when it is time for their civil rights unit. Claudette should not be forgotten.