Robert Singleton (activist) facts for kids
Robert Singleton, also known as Bob Singleton (born 1936), is an important civil rights activist. He worked to make sure all people were treated fairly, no matter their race. He and his wife, Helen Singleton, are famous for being part of the Freedom Rides in Jackson, Mississippi. Today, he teaches economics at Loyola Marymount University. He has been a professor there for over twenty years.
Early Life and Education
Robert Singleton was born and grew up in Philadelphia. He joined the army and served in Europe. After his time in the army, he went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, he studied economics for his college degree. In 1964, he earned his Ph.D. and then taught at UCLA for several years.
Robert started his work as an activist at UCLA. He ran for president of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) student group. While at UCLA, he heard many inspiring speakers. These included James Farmer, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Langston Hughes. They helped him understand the unfairness in America.
He first joined "sit-ins," which were peaceful protests. He met other activists and helped them plan events. They found food and clothing for people in need. They also helped sharecroppers (farmers who rented land) register to vote. He helped organize the Freedom Ride to Jackson, Mississippi. When he returned, the NAACP group at UCLA had been removed. So, it was replaced by a CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) group, and Robert became its leader.
The Freedom Rides
Robert Singleton and his wife are best known for their part in the Freedom Rides. These rides took place in Jackson, Mississippi. The U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that public transportation could not be segregated. This meant people of different races should be able to sit together on buses and trains. However, many places in the South ignored this rule.
To protest this, activists rode buses into the South. They wanted to show that segregation was still happening. On July 30, 1961, Robert, his wife, and other riders arrived in Mississippi. They were arrested and sent to Parchman Penitentiary. The prison was very tough. They were put in a high-security area. Robert and Helen were separated from each other.
Robert and Helen Singleton were one of the few married couples who joined the Freedom Rides. About three months after the Freedom Rides, public transportation was finally desegregated. This meant the rides helped make a big change.
