Photo of James Zwerg, a college student from Wisconsin, after he was beaten by a white mob in Alabama for being a Freedom Rider. He passed out shortly afterwards and was ignored by white ambulance crews for hours until an ambulance for blacks picked him up. Montgomery, AL, 1961 [506×859]
Afterwards he turned into the Evil Emporer Zwerg, sworn enemy of the galactic alliance.
mdavinci
Is there no tag for nsfw?
AndyBreal3
The comments here asking what the Freedom Riders must think about “today’s world”, as if it’s anywhere close to being comparable, really piss me off. There is no segregation in any state, we have numerous laws that prevent discrimination based on color, religion, sex, etc. But here’s the real kicker, MOST PEOPLE AREN’T RACIST! The media will tell you otherwise because there is no profit in reporting overwhelming peace and harmony, but racist incidents are few and far between. In the 1960’s South they were widespread and state sanctioned and people were in actual physical danger. It wasn’t having your feelings hurt because of a micro aggression. Do not denigrate the memories of those brave people by comparing it to today.
MisallocatedRacism
Less than a lifetime ago. These people are not long gone and buried uet. We are not far enough to escape this.
Somerlad
James Zwerg is still alive. I wonder what he thinks about the modern state of USA and world politics.
vicdrestrepo
people act like all this racist stuff was so long ago. 1961!! those people are still alive and passed on their morals to their children!
SHOOHS
For those, like myself, who don’t know what a Freedom Rider is. I took this excerpt from History.com.
“Freedom Riders were groups of white and African American civil rights activists who participated in Freedom Rides, bus trips through the American South in 1961 to protest segregated bus terminals. Freedom Riders tried to use “whites-only” restrooms and lunch counters at bus stations in Alabama, South Carolina and other Southern states. The groups were confronted by arresting police officers—as well as horrific violence from white protestors—along their routes, but also drew international attention to their cause.”
jojollum
Lol you’re a fool or a racist if you think racism is dead. It’s almost a staple of white america.
Zoutezee
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around, turn me around..
guestpass127
Less than sixty years ago. My mom was 11 years old when this happened. It’s astonishing that people today think the past doesn’t inform the present, or that the past is something you can ever escape from.
Jodddy_Lew
I love my home state. I just don’t love a lot of its past. Makes me shiver to think that there are still people out there that would do something like this.
I always wondered why certain photos make into our collective conscience, and others, that seem equally as powerful don’t *stick*.
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ogwoody007
You know, I like to think I live my life following this kind of bad ass rule, “when something is wrong stand up”. This dude knew he had a real chance to get the shit kicked out of him that day, this dude was likely following the teachings of Dr. King and as such was not going to put up a fight. This guy was going into the lions den without protection. Those are the kind of balls one should aspire to.
normie_McChadson
Afterwards he turned into the Evil Emporer Zwerg, sworn enemy of the galactic alliance.
mdavinci
Is there no tag for nsfw?
AndyBreal3
The comments here asking what the Freedom Riders must think about “today’s world”, as if it’s anywhere close to being comparable, really piss me off. There is no segregation in any state, we have numerous laws that prevent discrimination based on color, religion, sex, etc. But here’s the real kicker, MOST PEOPLE AREN’T RACIST! The media will tell you otherwise because there is no profit in reporting overwhelming peace and harmony, but racist incidents are few and far between. In the 1960’s South they were widespread and state sanctioned and people were in actual physical danger. It wasn’t having your feelings hurt because of a micro aggression. Do not denigrate the memories of those brave people by comparing it to today.
MisallocatedRacism
Less than a lifetime ago. These people are not long gone and buried uet. We are not far enough to escape this.
Somerlad
James Zwerg is still alive. I wonder what he thinks about the modern state of USA and world politics.
vicdrestrepo
people act like all this racist stuff was so long ago. 1961!! those people are still alive and passed on their morals to their children!
SHOOHS
For those, like myself, who don’t know what a Freedom Rider is. I took this excerpt from History.com.
“Freedom Riders were groups of white and African American civil rights activists who participated in Freedom Rides, bus trips through the American South in 1961 to protest segregated bus terminals. Freedom Riders tried to use “whites-only” restrooms and lunch counters at bus stations in Alabama, South Carolina and other Southern states. The groups were confronted by arresting police officers—as well as horrific violence from white protestors—along their routes, but also drew international attention to their cause.”
jojollum
Lol you’re a fool or a racist if you think racism is dead. It’s almost a staple of white america.
Zoutezee
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around, turn me around..
guestpass127
Less than sixty years ago. My mom was 11 years old when this happened. It’s astonishing that people today think the past doesn’t inform the present, or that the past is something you can ever escape from.
Jodddy_Lew
I love my home state. I just don’t love a lot of its past. Makes me shiver to think that there are still people out there that would do something like this.
chepalleee
It’s really interesting to see photos like this that galvanized people to action, and that you remember them decades after seeing them from seeing them only once. For example [this photo](https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/190122135459-05-post-truth-images-super-169.jpg) that helped spark anti-war movement during vietnam from Kent University. Or [this one](https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/190122135317-03-post-truth-images-super-169.jpg) from Tiananmen square.
I always wondered why certain photos make into our collective conscience, and others, that seem equally as powerful don’t *stick*.
historymodbot
Welcome to **/r/HistoryPorn**!
This post is getting rather popular, so here is a friendly reminder for people who may not know about our rules.
* **Personal attacks, abusive language, trolling or bigotry in any form is not allowed**. This will be removed and may result in a ban.
* **Keep the discussion on-topic.** Comments that do not directly add to the discussion will be removed and in some cases can also result in (temp) bans. Things not on topic are comments that solely consist of a joke, (political) soapboxing, etc.
Additionally.
* **Use that report function**. If you spot a rule breaking comment please do not make things worse by engaging in an argument. Downvote it and then report it using the report function or send a modmail to the mods so we can deal with it.
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*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FHistoryPorn) if you have any questions or concerns. Replies to this comment will be removed automatically.*
ogwoody007
You know, I like to think I live my life following this kind of bad ass rule, “when something is wrong stand up”. This dude knew he had a real chance to get the shit kicked out of him that day, this dude was likely following the teachings of Dr. King and as such was not going to put up a fight. This guy was going into the lions den without protection. Those are the kind of balls one should aspire to.