The Early Years
Claudette age 12, Courtesy of Thinksquad
Claudette Colvin, born Claudette Austin on September 5th, 1939, was raised poor by her aunt and uncle in Pine Level, Alabama. At the age of 8, Claudette moved to Montgomery, Alabama. Claudette’s family was in the lowest of the lower classes. Soon, Claudette realized that blacks discriminated against each other.
"[H]aving light skin and straight hair was the surest key to popularity."- Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
The middle class was better than the poor, and the lighter skinned blacks were better than those with darker skin like Claudette and her family. Later on, Claudette's growing pride for her heritage would lead her to attend NAACP youth meetings hosted by the then unknown Rosa Parks.
"We spent that whole February talking about the injustices we black people suffered everyday in Montgomery...When my moment came, I was ready."- Claudette Colvin