Summary

Theoharis argues that the most depoliticizing aspect of the national fable is that it removes the organization from the struggle, making it seem as if the movement happened naturally. This takes away the power and difficulty of the struggle. This makes it more difficult to figure out how to create similar social justice movements today. Theoharis revisits the story of the Montgomery bus boycott, demonstrating that this event did not happen organically, easily, or out of nowhere, suddenly prompted by Rosa Parks' arrest. The fuller history of this event reveals that it required hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, disappointment, and collective action to not only to instigate the protest but also to sustain it. The movement was the result of the efforts of an entire community. As she revisits this history, Theoharis highlights the key lessons to be...