Rebellion

Matt Denton-Edmondson

Rebellions Collide

During the 1950's a wave of rebellion against conformity swept over America. At the heart of the rebellion was the civil rights movement, but it also manifest itself through teen culture. Teens in America were influenced by the rebellious spirit, and pre-rock music of African Americans, to create a rebellion of their own.

After world war two, a number of factors lead to an intensifying of civil rebellion for African Americans. Television created publicity for African Americans; people were able to see the violence, and racism of the south. This gained the Blacks much needed support from politicians and people of the north. The war also changed the lives of African Americans. While the Army was still segregated during World War Two, many blacks became officers. When they returned home, they understood that they had the power to lead people, and to be free. The cold war also helped to inspire rebellion. Civil Rights activists realized that they could use the political tensions between Russia and the US to their advantage. The patriotism that came with the hatred of another social order helped blacks to secure a part as part of the US. How could we call our country free, when our schools were segregated?

The Montgomery bus Boycott was one of the biggest rebellions of the Civil Rights movement. The death of Emmett Till helped to inspire this movement. It all started when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person. After her arrest African Americans in Montgomery, headed by Martin Luther King, decided to boycott the bussing system. They organized other means of transportation, walking and car-pooling. In 1956 the segregation of buses in Montgomery was banned. African Americans had won a huge victory, and now Martin Luther King was a figure of the Rebellion.

Another Rebellion against conformity was started in the 1950s. This rebellion was not against the conformity of racism, but instead that of the new middle class suburbs. Rock and Roll in the early fifties was dismissed by many as "Race Music," but soon teens rallied around this music, using it as a symbol for their own rebellion, one that was inspired by the civil rights movement.

At first radio stations refused to play Rock and Roll, but soon the enthusiasm of teens for this music, made it impossible not to play.