Whatever symbols they embraced, civil-rights activists—much like black activists today—never successfully connected with the hearts of the majority of adults of their own day. The process was neither neat nor particular unifying. In fact, it destroyed the Democratic Party of Roosevelt and Truman. But the activists did sketch a theater of violence, with men like Bull Connor in starring roles, that shamed and embarrassed the country. And aided by an intemperate radicalism within and the Cold War threat without, the activists were able to use that shame to affect meaningful change.
"Busses are a-coming, oh yes."
—Song during the 1961 Freedom Rides
"The United States finally decided whether racism is good or bad; they decided it's bad, and the world agrees. South Africa might need another minute to think about it."
