ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

1957 Alexandra bus boycott

Have you ever been told that it is not okay to treat someone differently because of how they look? Just like how we should not judge people for being tall, short, or having a different skin color, a long time ago, in the year 1957, black people in a place called Alexandra in South Africa were being treated unfairly because of their skin color.

In Alexandra, there were buses called 'black taxis' which allowed only black people to ride in them. However, white people had what were called 'white buses', which were better and more comfortable than the 'black taxis'. The 'white buses' had air conditioning and cushioned seats, while the 'black taxis' were old and uncomfortable. Can you imagine riding in a hot, stuffy bus with no cushioning? It would be very uncomfortable, right?

The black people got very tired of this unfair treatment, so they decided to stop riding in the 'black taxis' until they were treated equally. This was called a boycott, which means they refused to use the 'black taxis' until things changed. Instead, people walked to work, or shared cars or bicycles. This was a big challenge, but they did not lose hope. They talked to each other, wrote letters, and sang songs to encourage each other to stick together and keep going.

Finally, after three months, they got what they wanted! The government agreed to end the separate buses and give everyone equal rights. This was a big win for the black people in Alexandra, and it showed that when people stand up for what is right, they can make a change.

So, the 1957 Alexandra Bus Boycott was when black people in Alexandra refused to ride in the 'black taxis' until they were treated equally to white people. It was a successful protest that helped to bring about change and showed that people can make a difference when they work together.