Charlotte Brown had been mistreated by racists on the trolley, but unlike some of her meeker peers, she wasn’t about to go quietly into the sunset! Why should she?
This was 1800s California, and Black people had the same rights as white people. If they wanted to be racist, she was going to sue the company, and that was that!
She knew the racists weren’t going to let her lawsuit fly – but that wouldn’t stop her.
Though Brown kept being thrown off the trolley for refusing to give up her seat, she sued them every single time – and won!
The racist trolley company refused to change its rules, and Black passengers still had problems riding the trolley. But the story wasn’t quite over.
Brown’s small moments of activism inspired other Black people to refuse to give up their seats and to fight back. Finally, the trolley company changed its policies and started respecting the rights of Black passengers.
As Brown demonstrated, there is a role for all of us in the fight for liberation. We must never think we have nothing to contribute when it comes to challenging any system that seeks to oppress us. Our small moments of resistance can have huge impacts – for us and for future generations!