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Dissertation
Reverend Ralph David Abernathy Before the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2015
Abstract
In the 1950s, Jim Crow laws governed Montgomery, Alabama. Jim Crow laws were defined as complete separation of races in all aspects of life. Legislation in the South adopted Jim Crow in the 1880s and 1890s to completely separate the races in restaurants, hotels, parks, libraries, theaters, railroads, beauty parlors, and barbershops (Irons, 2002, p.12). Black Americans were denied voting rights, quality education, political seats, and supervisory jobs under Jim Crow and segregation. As a result, Black Americans depended on the church to cultivate leaders and to provide social enlightenment and educational training. The black church became a central institution for its inhabitants. Parishioners engaged each other in social causes, fighting against the injustices caused by Jim Crow. The central figure in the church was the pastor. The black preacher was the voice of the people (Morris, 1984, p. 7). During Jim Crow, Black Americans where employed by White Americans. Therefore, as employees, Black Americans feared losing jobs because of speaking out against Jim Crow. White Americans, in return, bullied Black Americans, perceiving their "White Power." The black pastor could speak out against Jim Crow and not fear losing a job or home. The church paid the pastor a salary and provided a parsonage for residing. As a result, the pastor voiced the concerns of the people and contested Jim Crow and segregation. In Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1950s, black pastors spoke out against Jim Crow and segregation. This qualitative historical narrative research focused on Reverend Ralph David Abernathy and his influence on Montgomery, Alabama, prior to December 5, 1955. This researcher conducted interviews with Mrs. Juanita Abernathy, Reverend Abernathy's widow, and Pastor Robert Graetz. Pastor Graetz was a white pastor of a predominately black Lutheran church in Montgomery in the mid-1950s. Pastor Graetz was also very instrumental in the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-56. Therefore, this research exposes Reverend Abernathy's influence on Montgomery through the historical narratives of Mrs. Juanita Abernathy and Pastor Robert Graetz.
Details
- Title
- Reverend Ralph David Abernathy Before the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Contributors
- Carla J Thompson (Committee Member) - University of West Florida, School of EducationJoyce C. Nichols (Committee Member)Susan Jans-Thomas (Committee Chair)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 108
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries to digitize and/or display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380090840006600
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Doctor of Education (EDD)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida