The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was not a result of the black civil rights leaders. This can be seen in Mark Rathbones work when he states that in recent years the PBS documentary series eye on the prize, which was broadcasted in 1987, shows a breakthrough in the transition, placing more focus on common citizens who took part in the civil rights revolution. Additionally, the National Rights Museum in Selma, Alabama, which, was opened in 1993, puts an emphasis on foot-soldiers of the movements, which suggests that the focus of the historical achievement was moved away from the black civil rights leaders. One example is the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56), the most prominent demonstration of African American economic owner; following the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Overall, more than 75 percent of Montgomery African Americans refused to use the public transport system on daily basis. Originally, the city leaders did not take the boycott very seriously, however after the first month, the boycott support remained strong. White-own
ed businesses announced a fall in sales. Furthermore, in the case Browder v. Gayle, the United States Supreme Court ruled after 11 months, ruling Alabama state and local laws requiring segregation on buses unconstitutional. This all happened in the late 19th century, the tactic of using African American economic influence on put pressure to put pressure on the civil rights became more common and very successful. During the years following the earlier Supreme Court decision, during Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, the separate, but equal facilities became legal for different racers. For several southern states, the Jim Craw laws enforced segregation. from 1898 to 1907, segregated streetcars were boycotted in the late 28 southern cities, including Montgomery, Alabama, where the successful 1955-56 bus boycott which was foreshadowed by the 1900-02 streetcar boycott. From this I can conclude that Mark Rathbone believes that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was not a result of the work of black civil rights leaders but rather due of the work of common United States citizens (Rathbone, n.d.).