The Freedom Ride
A Four Part Devotional Through Black History
Part FOUR - Finishing The Work
“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
After facing adversity in Anniston, the original group of Freedom Riders sought to continue the journey and finish the work. Yet this proved challenging as bus drivers refused to drive further knowing that more mobs were awaiting in Alabama. As a result, due to that limbo, someone suggested an alternative route to New, Orleans, travel via the air. So, with not many other options, the Freedom Riders hopped on a plane and flew from Birmingham to New Orleans on May 15th, 1961. Thus, upon their arrival they had officially “completed” their journey, as they had made it to their final destination; Yet for many Black onlookers their “shortcut” was impermissible.
Enter Diane Nash, a student at Nashville college and a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Unhappy with CORE’s decision to fly, Nash was adamant to finish the work that CORE had started. So, she organized a group of students and sent out another Freedom Ride from Nashville to Birmingham. This time, flying was not an option and shortcuts would not be tolerated. The work needed to be completed, otherwise violence would overcome nonviolence. Therefore, starting on May 16th, 1961 SNCC Freedom Rides would continue all throughout the summer. Consisting of over 60 different trips, and over three hundred student activists who were jailed in Mississippi, the Freedom Rides kept coming until the work was finally complete. For on November 1st, 1961 the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) gave in and fully desegregated. Hence, with CORE’s start and SNCC’s finish a major cry within the African American community got addressed. The work was finished, and the ride was finally over, they had reached their destination, they had won.
C.T. Vivian and Diane Nash lead march to Nashville City Hall
Reflection Questions
1. Take some time to reflect on your journey so far, have you reached your destination, or have you gotten there by using a shortcut? What do you need to do to finish the work that’s been started? People are desperately awaiting your response, will you finish the work?
2. Maybe the work is legitimately complete, what next? Rejoice and celebrate, yet also understand that there are still numerous cries that need to be addressed. When SNCC and CORE finished their work, they celebrated then eventually attuned themselves to another cry. Hence, just because you finish one job, doesn’t mean there’s no more work to be done. I encourage you, always take time to celebrate the completion, then in time attune yourself to the next cry.
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)