Rosa Parks

(http://www.conservapedia.com/Rosa_Parks)

Today black and white may just be a color, but in times of segregation and racism it kept people from living their life and having freedom. Many black people have changed the world today by just standing up for what they believed in. Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. On the day of December 1, 1995 in Montgomery, Alabama she refused to give her seat up to a white passenger (Rosa Lee McCauley Parks). People may think all Parks did was sit in the front of the bus rather than the back, but the truth is she changed life today with her courage, determination and inspiration showing people they can make a difference.

A courageous person is someone who faces difficulties, is brave and puts their life in danger to fix what’s wrong and make it right. Parks is someone who can be defined as a courageous person. She did what she believed was right and did not let the law of threats stop her. “On December 1, 1955, Parks, who had taken a seat directly behind the white section, was asked to yield her seat to white passengers. The bus driver threatened to have her arrested but she remained where she was”(The Arrest of Rosa Parks, December 1, 1955). Parks stood up for herself and refused to give up her seat to a white person. She believed it was unfair for her to give up her seat. She was seated in the back of the bus also known as the black section. She though why should she have to give up her seat reserved for black people to a white person just because there was more of them. Parks was threatened by the bus driver and she still had courage to stay seated because she knew that it was not right and she needed to do something about it. She wanted to change the law and took matters in her own hand to change what’s wrong to what was right. Parks also believed people shouldn’t let fear stop them from doing what’s right. She once said "You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right”( Parks). People like Parks have courage when it comes to facing their fears. Parks didn’t let her fears get in the way of doing what was right. Fear is always in obstacle in life especially when someone is going against the law even though it’s right. Even though someone is fearful like Parks knowing their doing something to make it right and helps people get over their fears, which involve courage. Parks is someone who clearly shows courage. Back in the 1955 not many black people had the courage to stand up to a white person because the let fear get in the way but Parks defeated the obstacle of fear and that took courage.

When someone is determined they don’t let anything stop them from getting what they want. Parks was determined to get the law changed to allow any one of any color to sit anywhere on the bus. Parks getting humiliated led her to be determined to get what she wanted. “The boycott was extremely successful, lasting over 380 days. When the case was taken to the Supreme Court, the Justices declared that segregation of the Montgomery buses was illegal and officially desegregated them on December 20, 1956”(The Arrest of Rosa Parks, December 1, 1955). Not just for Parks but for anyone to keep a boycott going on for more than 380 must take a lot of hard work and plenty of determination. Parks must have a lot of people supporting her in the boycott for it to last that long. She knew she had to keep her eye on the prize to get the law of segregation on the bus removed. Parks was so sick of getting pushed around she was determined to make a difference, on the bus ride of December 1, 1995. "I had given up my seat before, but this day, I was especially tired. Tired from my work as a seamstress, and tired from the ache in my heart"(Parks). Parks was determined to not give her seat up this day she was so sick of having to give her seat up to a white person that she finally had enough and refused to get up. The ache in Parks' heart was really her hurting from being seen as less because her color, no one had done anything to change the color barrier. Parks staying in her seat showed that she finally had enough and made a point that segregation should no longer be acceptable. Parks determination changed the law not only for her but for everyone and with Parks determination and courage she is an inspiration to everyone today.

Someone who is an inspiration does something for the good of others and not just to be recognized for fame. Parks is an inspiration to people in the past, people know and she will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come. “Parks, while still in Detroit, was always in demand as a public speaker. She traveled extensively to discuss her role in the civil rights movement into her late 80s, despite her advancing age and other challenges”(The Arrest of Rosa Parks, December 1, 1955). Everyone wanted to hear Parks stories about how she got through life. She was discriminated against and they wanted to hear how she overcame being discriminated against. Even though Parks is dead her name is still well known all over the world. Not just to adults who grew up learning about her but to kids who see her as an inspiration. Parks didn’t do what she did to be famous, but she did what she did because it was right. “I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about the freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people” (Parks). Parks knew she wanted to be remembered as a hero not as someone who is famous, and is only known for their beauty or because they're in a movie. Parks was remembered because of what she did for society, she is remembered as someone who we look up to and an inspiration to everyone everywhere. Parks inspiration inspires people to make a difference in life as she did.

Park’s courage, determination and inspiration changed life forever. Parks stood up for what she believed in and changed life for everyone in many ways. Parks inspired not only people in her generation but people in the present and will also be admired by generations in the future. Her simple act for standing up for her rights is what made a difference for people. Parks taught everybody it only takes one person to change the world for the better and that they could be that one person to change the world forever just like Parks did.

Work Cited

"An Act of Courage, The Arrest Records of Rosa Parks." National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 8 May 2011.

"Rosa Lee McCauley Parks." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 8 May. 2011

"Parks, Rosa." Prejudice in the Modern World Reference Library. Vol. 3: Biographies. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 167-174. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 12 May 2011.

"The Arrest of Rosa Parks, December 1, 1955." DISCovering U.S. History. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 12 May 2011.

Parks, Rosa. "Rosa Parks Quotes." Share Book Recommendations With Your Friends, Join Book Clubs, Answer Trivia. Web. 12 May 2011.

"Rosa Parks The First Lady of Civil Rights." USA News | Online USA News. Web. 19 May 2011.

Rosa Parks - Conservapedia." Main Page - Conservapedia. Web. 19 May 2011