Through the Lens:
A close reading of a Virginia Transit Company photograph
Spend a few moments looking at the image below. What are the first three things that you notice?
What did you notice? The people? Their ties? The buses in the background? Click the words in the section below to learn more about any of these topics.
The workforce -work in the 1960s
Uniforms -recent documentation of a bus operator uniform in a Californian city
Public transportation -transit in the 1960s
Introduction
The image above was taken in the 1960s in Richmond, Virginia. It features two of the Virginia Transit Company's (now the GRTC's) first Black bus operators. In the Spring of 2022, our team had the opportunity and honor of meeting and talking to family members of some of Richmond's first Black operators. Mr. David Williams, son of Mr. David Williams Sr., shared stories of his father's position in the VTC and his own memories of riding his father's bus. Additionally, Ms. Monica Lucas and Mrs. Gloria Lucas joined us to share stories of their lives and the life of Mr. Stanley Lucas- another VTC trailblazer.
Stanley Lucas, from the right side of the image of study.
During our conversations, Mrs. Gloria Lucas brought a photograph that is very dear to her family. It features Mr. Stanley Lucas on the right amongst a group of other VTC operators. It is dear to Mrs. Lucas because it includes her "Sugar," and it became the center of this project because it is an entry point to explore the world that surrounded the image.
This project will use five different lenses to analyze the Lucas's photograph and explore 1960's Richmond history, public transportation, appearance standards, workforce diversity, and the importance of family. Finally, we will conclude with recommendations for honoring the legacy of the courageous early Black bus operators at the Virginia Transit Company.
Historical Context
Segregation
A Historical Lens of the Virginia Transit Company Photo
Take a moment to reflect on what comes to mind when observing this photo along with the practices of segregation.
Demographically, we can observe only two Black men among a large group of White people. Oftentimes, especially if someone has always lived that way, this proportion of minority races to White people is "normal" in society. But this has been the result of racism and segregation within society and institutions. Society as I refer to it has been the way that people in social groups have perpetuated stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination
Depiction of segregation in public spaces
We’ve seen the depiction of segregation . A simple image search of segregation will show results such as the one on the right, which are usually of public spaces separating bathrooms, water fountains and seating in the 1960s and the era of the Civil Rights Movement. These were the main manifestation of segregation that was visible to the common person.
Throughout history, segregation has impacted many aspects of society. Other examples are streetcar segregations and public transportation, which were purposely formatted in a way that made it difficult for marginalized groups to access schools, stores, and more. Oftentimes, people did not have access to community colleges because there were no accessible bus routes to them. There is oppression in the form of residential and housing segregation, where redlining and policies created by the Federal Housing Administration that disproportionately impacted Black communities and families.
A result that we see today is Gilpin Court, which is a segregated public housing project constructed in North Central Richmond after the construction of I-95 through Jackson Ward displaced 10 percent of Richmond’s Black residents.
Segregation Dismissed
It is as early as elementary school that children are taught about how the ruling of Brown v. Board of Education outlawed segregation in schools, but they were not taught that school segregation did not end there. Not only is the narrative of history not taught properly with that notion, but it avoids acknowledging that segregation is much more embedded in society than history has taught us. We also tend to dismiss segregation as a practice of the past. Yet, the practices of segregation have simply evolved and institutionalized themselves in an almost invisible way in order to continue to preserve racist ideologies. We are in a constant struggle for social integration.
This is why the impact of the first Black bus drivers is important: As Reverend Gloria Lucas stated in our second interview, their choice to take on these roles in the GRTC created a ripple effect. This effect is one that matters in the fight toward integration.
Space and Place
A transit company has one central goal: moving people.
That is a spatial project.
Today the reaches of the Greater Richmond Transit Company are expansive. Buses operate as far east as Short Pump and as far south as Petersburg.
To operate the buses necessary to maintain such a wide network, the GRTC employs a very diverse group of bus drivers. But that was not always the case.
Before 1962, the transit company had never employed a Black operator. The presence of Black operators in this image has inherently spatial roots.
Racial segregation and policies of redlining mapped a segregated racial geography in Richmond
From 1935-1940, the Home Owners' Loan Corporation set out to assess the "mortgage security" of neighborhoods across the country. They gave each neighborhood a grade based on the quality of housing and, noteably, the race and class of residents. Grades of 'A' were best, and grades of 'D' were worst. Notes made to justify the classification of a neighborhood frequently based the decision on the presence of people of color in the neighborhood. The remarks left on the review of a Northern Richmond neighborhood to justify its classification as a "C" neighborhood state: "Respectable people but homes are too near negro area".
When white operators refused to drive into or through Black neighborhoods, the Virginia Transit Company was forced to hire drivers who would. This pushed the company to do what they had never done before: hire black drivers.
Black drivers were allowed to drive only one route. Going west it was the Riverview 10 and east it was the Jefferson 45. The route traveled between Allen Avenue in the west and Church Hill in the east. Both ends of the route and many of the areas along the route were in areas that had been designated as Black neighborhoods by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation in 1937.
Beyond the Route:
Buckroe Beach was a section of beach along the Chesapeake Bay that was open to African Americans. Due to racism and segregation, beach access was rare for African Americans. Buckroe Beach was a safe space where there was a sense of belonging (Dr. Jerry Lucas, 2022).
Due to the rarity of recreational land accessible to African Americans, Buckroe Beach attracted people from all over. Before there were Black bus drivers, visitors used trains to travel to Buckroe. After the hiring of Black bus operators, Black churches chartered buses to travel to the beach. Not only was there excitement about reaching the beach, but the bus ride itself was an experience. There were games, songs, and fun on the bus. The charter bus to Buckroe Beach became a special, safe space in its own right.
Click on the legend (right) to see an image of Buckroe Beach.
Standards of Professionalism
The Role of Women at the GRTC
In a glance over this photo, one notices the conformity provided by the bus drivers’ uniforms in the 1960s. In a closer look, you see the consistency of “fair-skinned” and masculine faces topped with short, dark-colored hair disrupted by a few drivers’ hats, two brown faces, and ahh, yes, shiny blonde curls. These curls sit close to a fair-skinned and feminine face featuring light pink, almost reddish, lips. When her identity was recently sought, no information could be found. Yet, a few insights--- perhaps a few questions--- emerge after learning of her mere presence in this photo during such an early time at the GRTC. Did women have any roles in the GRTC? If so, what were they? Were some such as bus operations more common than others such as secretarial roles? How were they perceived and treated in such a male-dominated environment?
Fig. Picture of Jennie Bullock.
Although we do not yet have information about the white woman bus driver seen in the photo, we do know some things about the first Black woman bus driver. Jennie Bullock began a career in bus driving at the GRTC in the 1970s. At the time, it was a new concept and practice for women to operate buses more frequently so it was no surprise that Ms. Bullock had a few hiccups. Some believed she got the worst part of the job. Others believed she was taking jobs away from men, thus implying her undeservedness. There were times when Ms. Bullock would ask for help in times of hardships, but was refuted in a spirit of “You wanna be a bus driver… handle your hardships yourself!” If they did not avoid getting on her bus and wait for the next, passengers would test Ms. Bullock by violating bus rules and/or building her reputation as a “mean bus driver.” She would also express her occasional fears in driving alone at night as a woman, especially in isolated and unsafe areas on her routes. What’s more, as a woman bus driver, she had the unique experience of having to juggle motherhood with work life. These are just a few examples, among a plethora of others, of how women like Ms. Bullock were treated and regarded as they took their place in the driver’s seat. And it would be no surprise to learn that these hardships still happen today. Despite such challenges, women like Ms. Bullock have still found favor in their roles as female bus drivers. Certainly, passengers and some male bus drivers openly ridiculed the idea of women driving buses and Ms. Bullock, in particular, was not respected every day. Yet, she did not hold back in sharing that “word got around that Ms. Bullock was a strong woman and she didn’t play.” At the same time, while she could not control how passengers would treat her, Ms. Bullock controlled how she treated them: with kindness from God and a joyous attitude. Certainly, Ms. Bullock experienced disrespect directly from the people she was serving and served alongside. Yet, she also experienced kindness and generosity from both fellow male peers, who were willing to support her as a working mother, and passengers, who were willing to fight on her behalf. This career has encouraged the resilience of Ms. Bullock and many other women, which can only inspire the generations to come.
Fig. GRTC Women bus drivers and administrators (top, center image).
These images are of the modern day (from near the end of the twentieth century to now), and prove the evolution of Mrs. Lucas’ remarks about the roles of women--- particularly African American women--- at the GRTC. In her interview, Ms. Bullock recalled how every trainer she had was male, that she never had a female trainer. How far things have come for women --- Black and white--- to sit at a boardroom table with men (refer to top right photo)! By the look of these photos, the idea of women as bus drivers appears to be less scarce, although there is no proof that all women bus drivers, in Richmond’s GRTC and beyond, are recognized and respected for the work they do.
Family
The Lucas Family Connection:
Stanley Lucas, pictured at the top right, is one of the first 5 black bus drivers. We were lucky enough to interview his family which included his wife, his daughter, and his son. For our first interview, the Lucas family brought us this photograph for us to examine. During the interview, Mrs. Lucas proudly held onto the picture as she showed it off. This stood out to me as I realized how important pictures are to families. There is an emotional connection to every picture you might have. This emotional connection will be passed down through generations. How will the story of Stanley Lucas be passed down?
The GRTC Family Connection:
The GRTC is the second-home of many residents of Richmond. Bus drivers, secretaries, and others. Since the GRTC was founded in 1860, more relationships and ties have been created. The “Through It All: Families Moving Richmond" exhibit in the GRTC highlights some beautiful and endearing relationships that have been created. The GRTC family is as much a family as a blood-related one and this family has been around for a very long time. Even though the GRTC didn't start as racially and gender inclusive as it is now, it is one of the most loving and close-knit communities in the city of Richmond.
Examples from the City:
The first black police officers and the first black firefighters have been memorialized in the city of Richmond. These men were trailblazers and have left an impactful legacy behind them. We know of the courage it takes to be “the first” to do something, especially as members of a marginalized group who had to deal with racial tensions.
Memorialization of the First 5 Black Bus Operators
After seeing the examples of how the city has memorialized the first black police officers and firefighter, how can we memorialize Mr Williams, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Branch, and Mr. Taylor-- the first 5 black bus operators in the city of Richmond? Mr. Coleman is the only one of the bus drivers who is alive right now, how can we show him that what he did was meaningful and the city celebrates him before it's too late? How do we go about making this happen?
Conclusions
In 2018, 81.9% of all bus operators who lived in Richmond, Virginia were Black ( U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 ). The GRTC has made diversity in their workforce a goal and strives for equity and inclusion amongst their employees and riders. In addition to their status as an equal opportunity employer, the GRTC website features a page on diversity, equity, and inclusion that outlines their current strengths and future goals to be a more inclusive space. Diversity in public transportation has come a long way, but it would not have been possible in without brave individuals stepping up to be the first Black operators.
Richmond's first Black bus operators were trailblazers, and they left behind a legacy of courage for their families, community members, and the GRTC. Their work and bravery should not be forgotten. We suggest that a historical highway marker be placed at the site of the old bus barn- the same location where the photograph at the center of this project was taken. Following the precedent set by the honoring of the first Black firefighters and police officers , we suggest that the City of Richmond also ought to hold a commemorative cermony to honor the first five Black operators. Although many of the men are no longer living, is important to honor their memory and to celebrate the family members who are still alive.
What would it look like to honor these men? What does it mean to be a trailblazer? Are there more stories and legacies that have been overlooked? Are there other trailblazers who should be remembered?
