Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters: The Struggle over Segregated Recreation in America

Throughout the twentieth century, African Americans challenged segregation at amusement parks, swimming pools, and skating rinks not only in pursuit of pleasure but as part of a wider struggle for racial equality. Well before the Montgomery bus boycott, mothers led their children into segregated amusement parks, teenagers congregated at forbidden swimming pools, and church groups picnicked at white—only parks. But too often white mobs attacked those who dared to transgress racial norms. In ...