Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was a hero because she stood up for what was right, undeterred by the risks of doing so, and she helped all people, no matter what they looked like. She was brave when others were hurtful, and we should recognize her valiant acts against segregation that led to the world we live in today. While many think of Martin Luther King as the face of equality, Rosa Parks is the one who started it all, and her brave actions should not be forgotten. Parks was born on February 4th, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. When she was two, she moved about 34 miles away to Montgomery, Alabama where she would later change history forever.

Quote from Rosa Parks at 1955 in Alabama. (https://www.pinterest.com/explore/rosa-parks-quote ())

Parks was brave because she stood up for what was right, despite the horrendous consequences. Many know the story of Rosa Parks - Didn't move from her seat - Caused the Montgomery Bus Boycott - Everyone knows that, right? However, that wasn't everything that she accomplished. Rosa Parks, in fact, had previously had another encounter with the same bus driver twelve years earlier. Rosa was the first to realize how lousy others treated people of color. Many people believed that she gave up her seat because she was tired, "but that isn't true. I was not tired physically. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in'" ("Rosa Parks"). She led the way for others to stand up to segregation and follow her lead. When she refused to enter through the back of the bus like all other people of color, she started a movement that would blossom into something much bigger.

Parks was acknowledged by others for her ability to accept all people no matter their color. After all of the segregation she faced, she still didn't categorize all whites as horrible people. Back then, many people saw others for what they looked like, but Rosa was different. If a hero doesn't treat someone the same if they are different, they aren't truly a hero at all. A hero treats all people the same, no matter their looks. Rosa's actions caused the Supreme Court to have "outlawed racial segregation on public transportation" ("Rosa Parks"). She is the reason these horrible habits aren't continued today. This is why many people today consider her a hero.

Rosa Parks was a hero. She was confident and humble. She could have been impaired for life or even killed, but nevertheless, she stayed strong. A hero is someone who stands up for what is right and puts others before themselves. Rosa Parks could have given into the laws of segregation. She could have been beaten, shunned, or even hung like the 14-year old Emmett Till. Despite the possible adversities, she still continued her ways. She could have been killed that day, but she chose to make a stand for the well-being of others. If that doesn't define a hero, then what does? According to many Rosa had "...flawless character, quiet strength, and moral fortitude"("Deciphering the Meaning"). Her actions led to the freedom of all people, and we can all be thankful today. Rosa Parks should be a role model for all people, and we should try to follow her example. Whether this means that we stand up for what is right, or simply not judge others, a clear call to action is being presented.

Rosa parks with Martin Luther King Jr (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Parks ())

Works Cited

History.com Staff. "Rosa Parks." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 03 Jan. 2017.

MLK2015 (French By Design). Digital image. Pinterest. N.p., 19 Jan. 2015. Web. 3 Jan. 2017.

"Rosa Parks." Academy of Achievement. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2017.

"Rosa Parks Biography -." Biography Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2017.

Rosa Parks. Digital image. Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2017.

"Rosa Parks Was Arrested for Civil Disobedience." Rosa Parks Was Arrested for Civil Disobedience. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2017.

Theoharis, Jeanne. "How History Got the Rosa Parks Story Wrong." The Washington Post. WP Company, n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2017.