Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice - A Powerful Account of Courage Before Rosa Parks

By: Lateefah Gobir

I recently read Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, and I found it to be an incredibly powerful and insightful book. Hoose does an exceptional job of bringing Claudette Colvin’s story to life, shedding light on her incredible courage and the pivotal role she played in the Civil Rights Movement. More than anything, what struck me was Colvin’s age at the time she made her historic defiance—only fifteen years old. It was a courageous refusal to give up her bus seat several months prior to Rosa Parks’ more famous sit-in, yet overshadowed by the events that followed.

I believe Hoose describes Colvin’s experience to show what women like her go through. I felt an almost personal bond with her, and the story truly felt intimate and emotional. In learning about the communities' profound backlash against her—especially groups in power and her subsequent isolation—my admiration for her courage grew even stronger. Colvin bore witness not only to courage to act but had the strength to endure repercussions at that young age.

What I liked most about this work is that it goes beyond an episode of defiance in the first section. Really, it dives into her legal battle, her project of trying to dismantle the segregated bus systems in general, and beyond that, the impact her actions had on the movement. Her heroism played an equally big part in getting things set for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and thus led to the destruction of segregation in the South. It led me to think of how often history leaves youth aside, who, in spite of their age, are significant to great changes in society.

Either way, I recommend Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice to anyone interested in history, social justice, or activism. It is a must-read that not only celebrates the life and legacy of a brave young woman but also serves as a timely reminder of how standing for what is right is usually against the paddle. It costs blood, sweat, and tears, but it often pays off with long lasting results in society. The book made me start thinking more seriously about how ordinary people, especially young ones, can confront injustice and start to make a change.