Freedom Riders: A Primary Source Exploration of the Struggle for Racial Justice

“I felt happy. I felt liberated. I was like a soldier in a nonviolent army. I was ready,” recalled John Lewis years after he left Washington D.C. on the Freedom Ride of 1961. Using primary-source quotes (highlighted in blue throughout the main text) and anecdotes, as well as powerfully moving period photographs and newspaper clippings, this book highlights an important aspect of the civil rights movement. Through the absorbing text, detailing the bravery and risks a group of activists took to combat racism in the Jim Crow South, readers will learn how—despite beatings, bombings, threats, and denunciations from politicians—the Freedom Riders persisted in their efforts to draw attention to interstate transportation discrimination. Throughout, “Fact” and other text boxes provide related information, and bolded words are defined at the bottom of the page on which they appear. Back matter includes selected bibliography, a glossary, Common Core critical thinking questions, a link to publisher-approved Web sites, and an index.