Buses Are a Comin'

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This firsthand exploration reveals the cost of change in America through the eyes of a Civil Rights Movement pioneer. At just 18, Charles Person was the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, a diverse group of activists who departed Washington, D.C. in 1961, bound for New Orleans. This mix of black and white, male and female activists included notable figures like future Congressman John Lewis and CORE Director James Farmer. Their mission was to test whether America would uphold a Supreme Court ruling that deemed segregation unconstitutional in public spaces. The Freedom Riders quickly learned that Southern states would continue to ignore federal law, often resorting to violence to maintain segregation. One bus was set ablaze, while the second, which Charles was on, faced a brutal mob attack. This account offers a front-row view of the struggle for belonging in America, as Charles and his fellow Riders confront violence and history in their fight against segregation. It serves as both a historical narrative and a challenge to today’s youth: to be agents of change, stand firm, and work towards a more just and inclusive society where everyone has a voice.