Lizzie Demands a Seat!: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights
Lizzie Jennings was in a burry A big hurry The kind of hurry she couldn't hold back Lizzie's heels ticked off the seconds If she didn't catch a streetcar right away the choir would be without an organist The New York City heat pressed down as Lizzie and her friend Sarah rushed to the corner At the sight of the horses approaching Lizzie's hand shot up The driver pulled over and the women boarded But the conductor took one look at them and planted himself in the entrance You'll have to wait for the next car We can't said Lizzie We're late for church He pointed There's another car coming For your people
His words stung This wasn't about empty seats It was about tradition a tradition of separate streetcars for blacks and whites A tradition most people ignored Usually Lizzie's fine clothes and proper manners earned her a seat on a car reserved for whites Usually it was up to passengers to object But not today This conductor expected her to ride on a car for her people —a car with the sign Colored People Allowed in This Car Lizzie swallowed hard I don't have any people The car's full The conductor shooed her away Get off
