Living History: A Freedom Rider Shares His Story
After the fuel tank blew, just outside Anniston on Mother's Day, 1961.
The “Freedom Riders” were civil rights activists, black and white, who challenged segregation by riding buses across the South. In 1961 near Anniston, a mob slashed the tires of one of those buses, set it on fire, and beat some of the passengers. Freedom Rider Hank Thomas was one of them. He recalls for WBHM in vivid detail what it was like to be on that bus. *Language advisory: in retelling his story, Thomas uses a derogatory term for African-Americans that was common then.
Below are some highlights.
Ugly History, Impossible Choice
“The crowd continued beating on the bus. A lot of them had just come from church … and they’d brought some of their children with them. And the purpose was to ‘see the Freedom Riders get what was coming to them.’ … Pretty soon, a firebomb was thrown through the back of one of the broken-out windows. And within a few seconds, there was a fire. And now the bus is filling completely with smoke. I knew if I got off that bus, that mob outside would kill me. If I stayed on the bus, the flames would kill me. I erroneously thought that if I breathed in that smoke, that smoke would put me to sleep, and that’s the way I was going to die. So for all practical purposes, at age 19, I had decided to commit suicide.”
Freedom Riders Park Committee
Actors pose for a future statue portraying Janie Forsyth McKinney given beaten Freedom Rider Hank Thomas a glass of water.
Small Hands of Mercy
“We were all suffering with smoke inhalation. And as we were all sprawled on the ground, a young white girl — Janie Forsyth, 12 years old at the time — ran in and out of her house bringing us water. That little 12-year-old girl taught them the meaning of Christianity.”
Will the Police Officer End It All?
“He pulled his pistol, and I thought he was about to shoot me. And he fired his pistol in the air. And he said to the crowd, ‘That’s enough, you’ve had your fun.’ Of course I was glad to … get out of there alive, but I began to understand the small part I had to play in making this country what it is today. We have made tremendous progress … We have changed the character of the country. And I am so glad to have been a part of the army that won that battle.”
Original interview aired 02/2017:
Extended interview:
Hank Thomas on barely surviving an earlier, similar incident in South Carolina, and on Anniston, Alabama’s reputation:
Hank Thomas on why he fought overseas for a country that hadn’t yet recognized his full humanity:
Looking for a new book this week? Here are 5 wide-ranging options
A true smorgasbord is on offer for readers this week. Care for an inspirational memoir? Reminders of the precarious position of civilization? Early summer read? They're all here.
Joan Didion leaves one more piece of writing to faithful fans
Didion's book is an intimate chronicle of the author's struggle to help her daughter, even if it meant digging into her own long-unexamined neuroses.
Senate Democrats press Hegseth for answers on Trump order to ban transgender troops
Lawmakers are asking the Defense Secretary to explain how the Pentagon is complying with court rulings blocking President Trump's executive order attempting to ban transgender troops from service.
Trump wants a Golden Dome over America. Here’s what it would take
Experts are divided whether a new missile defense system for the U.S., inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, would be worth the cost.
Public viewing for Pope Francis begins Wednesday ahead of Saturday funeral
Faithful from around the world are pouring into the Vatican, where Pope Francis' body will go on display Wednesday, ahead of a funeral Saturday.
Hundreds of scholars say U.S. is swiftly heading toward authoritarianism
Most — but not all — political scientists are deeply troubled by the president's attempts to expand executive power, according to a national survey.
