50books_poc | "The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It" and "The Bandit Queen of India" (Reply)

The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It: The Memoir of Jo Ann Gibson Robinson by Jo Ann Gibson Robinson.

This is a fascinating autobiography. It details the Montgomery Bus Boycott from its roots, which go much further back than Rosa Parks' heroic refusal to move. It's detailed and carefully presented.

As the title suggests, this book gives particular attention to the contributions of women to the Bus Boycott. Jo Ann Gibson Robinson was the head of the Women's Political Council during the Boycott, and she fought on the fronts lines with Martin Luther King Jr., among others.

I had an interesting experience near the end of the book, where Robinson describes deciding to be quiet and low key in celebrating the official end of segregation on Montgomery buses. She explains that she and others made this decision in order not rejoice in other's defeat, and she wrote about knowing that those who had supported segregation were hurting at that moment. All of that there is completely beyond me. I'm not criticizing it by any means. It's a powerful and impressive philosophy. But I have to say that when an oppressive law gets overturned, I'm not going to be feeling pity for the bigots who fought so hard. It's just the way I am. It was certainly interesting to be confronted with another way of thinking.

The Bandit Queen of India: An Indian Woman's Amazing Journey From Peasant to International Legend by Phoolan Devi with Marie-Therese Cuny and Paul Rambali.

The autobiography of Phoolan Devi, peasant, turned bandit, turned politician. (Insert a crack about the last two frequently not being very different.)

Devi is one of the most fascinating people I've ever read about. Her strength, courage, and tenacity are incredible to read about.

At 500 pages, this book seems a more intimidating read than it is. The style is readable and engaging. Note that Devi did not write the book herself, being illiterate. She dictated the book through an interpreter, the result was then read back to her so she could correct any errors.

Devi is a controversial figure to say the least. This book is her story. Others maybe explain things differently. The massacre at Behmai is left out all but entirely (Devi and her gang returned to the village where she had been held prisoner and gang raped, and they killed many of the Thakurs* in the village.) Devi was worried about new charges being brought against her. Also, this was transcribed shortly before Devi was elected to Parliament, so her career as a politician is completely absent.

I'd be interested in reading biographies about her that cover more of her life, but there's nothing like hearing someone in their own words.

*A sub-caste of ruling Kshastriyas, to steal the definition from the book.