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Four Admirable, Unsung African-American Heroes
Nine months before the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, sparked by Rosa Parks‘ arrest in Montgomery, Alabama, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman after school. Colvin refused, saying, “It’s my constitutional right to sit here as much as that lady. I paid my fare, it’s my constitutional right.” She was arrested on several charges, including violating the city’s segregation laws. She would later be one of the principal plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case Browder vs. Gayle, which declared bus segregation unconstitutional under the 14th amendment.
Matthew Henson is credited as the co-discoverer of the North Pole alongside Robert Edwin Peary. After seven years of attempting to reach the North Pole, Peary and Henson finally reached it in 1909. Peary knew how valuable Henson was, stating at the time, “Henson must go all the way. I can’t make it there without him.” When they returned, Peary received many accolades, but Henson was overlooked. At 70 years old, Henson finally received the acknowledgment he deserved: The Explorers Club accepted him as an honorary member.
In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first African-American and second woman to publish a book of poetry. Throughout her life, most of which she spent enslaved, she wrote roughly 40 poems. During slavery, African-Americans were largely prevented from learning how to read and write, but Wheatley was highly intelligent. Susanna Wheatley, her owner, and her two children taught Wheatley to read and were encouraging in her literary pursuits. She spoke three languages: English, Latin and Greek. Wheatley proved that slavery couldn’t crush her creativity and intellect.
Political activist Bayard Rustin became involved in politics as a child due to his family’s involvement in the local NAACP and friendships with well-known black activists like W.E.B. Du Bois. Rustin was involved in early civil rights protests, combining nonviolent resistance with organizational skills. Rustin was a key adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and also helped to organize some of the Civil Rights Movement’s largest events, like the 1963 March on Washington and 1947 Freedom Ride.
ASCI encourages parents and caregivers to teach their children about these icons and many more. Youth in care can look to these heroes for strength and encouragement, as they accomplished great things in the face of unimaginable hardships.