Read the excerpt from a flyer distributed in 1956. Why were guidelines like these necessary during the
civil rights movement?
This is a historic week because segregation on buses
has now been declared unconstitutional. Within a few
days the Supreme Court Mandate will reach
Montgomery and you will be
reboarding integrated buses. This places upon us all a
tremendous responsibility of maintaining, in face of what
could be some unpleasantness, a calm and loving
dignity befitting good citizens and members of our Race.
If there is violence in word or deed it must not be our
people who commit it.
Now for some specific suggestions:
1. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and has been
instructed to obey the law. Assume that he will cooperate
in helping you occupy any vacant seat.
2. Do not deliberately sit by a white person, unless there
is no other seat.
O White people had not used bus transportation before
this time.
O Racial tensions were high due to the end of the
Montgomery Bus Boycott.
O Bus drivers had not been trained to diffuse tense
situations.
O African Americans had instigated several violent
encounters during the boycott.