Learn more about the Freedom Rides and Riders of 1961 through this documentary by award-winning film-maker
Dr. Stanley Nelson.
Dr. Stanley Nelson.
CAROLINA CHARACTER
ROUTE 1961 Freedom Ride
ROUTE 1961 is the story of the 1961 Freedom Riders told on motorcycles, specifically from the lenses of two motorcyclists with a mission of character education. ROUTE 1961 will follow the same route that the 1961 Freedom Riders, which were patterned after the Journey of Reconciliation; a project by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which started with nine activist in 1947. According to Arsenault in 1961 thirteen nonviolent activists of mixed races boarded the Freedom Bus to challenge racial segregation in interstate travel, which the Supreme Court had declared an unconstitutional violation of human rights (xi)." The thirteen original riders increased to an overwhelming 400 plus Freedom Riders throughout 1961. The Freedom Riders intended route from Washington, DC to New Orleans, LA, was never achieved through their original plans due to segregationist challenges along the way.
Today; with the Freedom Rider's 50th year anniversary to celebrate, CAROLINA CHARACTER's owner Ms. Adrienne Barnette, a School Counselor for K-12 behavioral & emotionally disabled children recruited Mr. Zachariah Cashion, world traveler to partner with, as motorcyclists to ride; ROUTE 1961 honoring and retracing the courageous steps, speaking to individuals along the route who were there 50 years ago and to people who may not even realize the history and freedom that has been paved before them. CAROLINA CHARACTER's vision and mission is to complete the Freedom Rider’s original intended demonstration goals of ending in New Orleans, Louisiana through the medium of virtual character education. ROUTE 1961 will be recorded in real-time giving the opportunity for individuals to experience the ROUTE, as if one were on a motorcycle. ROUTE 1961 will travel 3193.78 miles, through 8 states starting at the nations Capital: Washington, DC. Fifty years ago the Freedom Rides were dangerous due to the segregationist. Today we will travel black and white to enjoy the freedom that has been given to us by the display of honesty and bravery in order to step beyond personal safety and into unknown territories for the sole purpose of education and celebration of American legends of character.
As we have endeavored into the preparation for this journey freedom and choice seem to have become synonymous, as are motorcycles and free will. Motorcycles are symbolic of how people express and choose to feel freedom. It is certain that motorcycles are dangerous and perhaps viewed as foolish modes of travel in the industrial world as it is today. Throughout 1961, the Freedom Rides and Riders were seen as foolish students for attempting such dangerous travel to impact society and the worldview on race relations, equality, and freedom. Fifty years later, to travel by bus inter-racially is not as dangerous, but to travel by motorcycle today may posse some unforeseen life altering/threatening dangers and yet demonstrate a celebration for the tremendous progress that our nation has made.
As we have endeavored into the preparation for this journey freedom and choice seem to have become synonymous, as are motorcycles and free will. Motorcycles are symbolic of how people express and choose to feel freedom. It is certain that motorcycles are dangerous and perhaps viewed as foolish modes of travel in the industrial world as it is today. Throughout 1961, the Freedom Rides and Riders were seen as foolish students for attempting such dangerous travel to impact society and the worldview on race relations, equality, and freedom. Fifty years later, to travel by bus inter-racially is not as dangerous, but to travel by motorcycle today may posse some unforeseen life altering/threatening dangers and yet demonstrate a celebration for the tremendous progress that our nation has made.
There is no explanation for how traveling 3193.78 miles on a motorcycle will end, but it is a risk worth taking in order to learn from and about the Freedom Riders; legends of character who risked everything so that today we would have the opportunity to choose how to travel.
