Charles Person facts for kids
Charles Person (born September 27, 1942 – died January 8, 2025) was an African-American civil rights activist. He was the youngest person to join the historic Freedom Rides in 1961.
Early Life and Education
Charles Person was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 27, 1942. His father worked at Emory University Hospital. Charles was a very bright student, especially in math and physics. He dreamed of becoming a scientist.
During high school, Charles was part of the local NAACP Youth Council. The NAACP is an organization that works for the rights of African Americans. After graduating from David Tobias Howard High School in 1960, he went to Morehouse College.
Becoming an Activist
As a freshman at Morehouse, Charles became very involved in the civil rights movement. He joined a student group called the Atlanta Committee on Appeal for Human Rights. This group worked to end segregation, which was the unfair separation of people based on their race.
In 1961, Charles took part in a "sit-in" protest. During sit-ins, people would sit at segregated lunch counters or other places to peacefully protest unfair rules. For this, Charles was arrested and spent sixteen days in jail. The students used non-violent methods, which meant they protested peacefully without fighting back, even when they faced threats. This approach showed the power of their message.
The Freedom Rides
Charles Person's brave actions caught the attention of recruiters from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). CORE was looking for young people to join the Freedom Rides. The Freedom Rides were a series of bus trips through the American South to challenge segregation on public transportation.
Because Charles was under 21, he needed a parent's permission to join. His mother was worried and refused to sign. But Charles was able to convince his father to give his permission. This allowed Charles to become the youngest Freedom Rider in 1961.
Legacy and Impact
Charles Person continued to share his experiences and teach others about the civil rights movement. In 2021, he published his memoir, a book about his life, called Buses Are a Comin': Memoir of a Freedom Rider.
More recently, Charles helped create the Freedom Riders Training Academy. This program teaches people about non-violent resistance and how to use their First Amendment rights responsibly. The First Amendment protects important freedoms like speech and peaceful protest. The Academy helps people learn how to stand up for what is right in a peaceful and lawful way.
