Rosa Parks

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Fearless

You can't tell how much courage a person has by their size or identity, because no one would have guessed that Rosa was as courageous as she was. Rosa Parks is a hero that has forever changed the freedom and rights of black people; she altered America forever. In the early mid-1900s, blacks and whites were segregated and had unequal rights. One courageous woman affected the future for all of us; Rosa Parks was one of the heroic people that changed America just by one simple refusal. Rosa was born in Tuskegee, Alabama on February 4th, 1913. At a young age, she was surrounded by the skin color separations and was influenced by the Jim Crow laws from the South; Rosa Parks hated being treated differently. She graduated in 1933, and then worked as a seamstress. In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for her defiant acts of courage and was sentence to do time in jail. Rosa Parks is courageous and a preserver which makes her an inspiration to many. She is a courageous preserver because she stood up to a white man knowing the consequences that would tag along, but turned them into optimistic results. Rosa Parks demonstrates the true characteristics of a hero because she is an inspirational woman that is courageous and perseveres.

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 Rosa Parks portrays courageousness perfectly through her countless acts of fearlessness. In 1955, Rosa Parks sat in the wrong section of the city bus and a white man told her to move, but she refused. Her refusal to give in, lead to her being arrested. "…refusal to surrender a bus seat to a white man launched the modern civil rights movement…"(Sullivan). Rosa Parks' courageousness is why the world is how it is today; segregation would still exist with unequal rights enforced against blacks, that were often violent. Also, by doing this selfless act, Rosa Parks unintentionally started the civil rights movement which will always be remembered as a huge turning point in our America's history. In addition to the world wide movement, Rosa Parks defines courage by not only by not only standing up to a white man, but also going against the law to support what she believes in. "This brave woman, Rosa Parks was arrested and fined for violating a city ordinance, but her lonely act of defiance began a movement that ended legal segregation in America."(Rosa Parks Biography). Fearless Rosa Parks stood up for herself, knowing the consequences that would follow her defiant actions. During segregation in the mid-1900s, white people were very violent towards blacks and punished them by force. Therefore, Rosa Parks being gutsy enough to do what she did and stick up for her personal proves that she is a courageous woman with a lot of heart. In conclusion, Rosa Parks is a heroic woman that put everyone else's lives before hers and had a massive effect on history and our future to come.

Legendary Rosa Parks. ( (http://felicia514.edu.glogster.com/rosa-parks/))

To persevere is to maintain a purpose in spite of the difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly. Through being arrested, going to jail, and having her husband pass away, Rosa Parks has persevered and made something positive out of all the negatives that happened to her. " '… I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.' "(Sullivan). This quotes shows how Rosa Parks knew that she was going to stand strong behind what she believed and not letting anyone push her around. In addition, Rosa Parks is a strong woman that has a lot of passion for what she believes in and kept fighting until things were right. Rosa Parks is a persistent hero because even though her hardships affected her life she turned the effect into a constructive outcome. "After the death of her husband in 1977, Mrs. Parks founded in Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development."(Rosa Parks Biography). After her husband passed away, Rosa Parks was consistent with her positive actions and decided to make a foundation dedicated to him. In addition, Rosa Parks is a strong individual and likes to create her own legacy to be remembered for her historic acts that changed Americans lives' forever. Persevering is an important aspect of being a successful hero and Rosa Parks defines it perfectly.

Rosa Parks being awarded by Bill Clinton. ( (http://www.rosaparksfacts.com/rosa-parks-pictures-photos.php?type=civil-rights))

Rosa Parks possesses the true characteristics of a hero because she is courageous and perseveres to the end. Now only has Rosa Parks been through many obstacles in her life, but she has overcome them into positive results and has changed America forever. The civil rights movement is a momentous time in our history and she was one of then two to start it. Rosa Parks inspires me because I am an young African American girl and it really touched me that she had that much heart and soul in what she believed in to stick up for herself and others. She is a heroic figure in our generation and will never be forgotten for perseverance to strive to change America. Having the courage to stand up for what you believe in is very important; being your own individual is key and being a leader is successful. I believe that you should strive to always be yourself and stand up for what's right. Persevering shows strength and independence and that you'll never give up in what you're aiming to do. Rosa Parks is an inspiration to many and defines "a hero" flawlessly.

Works Consulted

Sullivan, Patricia. "Bus Ride Shook a Nation's Conscience." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 25 Oct. 2005. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-        dyn/content/article/2005/10/24/AR2005102402053.html.

"Rosa Parks Biography -- Academy of Achievement." Academy of Achievement Main

 Menu. Academy of Achievement, 23 Sept. 2011. Web. 13 Dec. 2011.

 http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1.

"Rosa Parks Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com." Famous

 Biographies & TV Shows �OB Biography.com. Web. 13 Dec. 2011.

http://www.biography.com/people/rosa-parks-9433715.

"Rosa Parks Bus - The Story Behind the Bus." A Michigan Family Attraction : The Henry

            Ford. The Henry Ford. Web. 13 Dec. 2011.

 http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/rosaparks/story.asp.

"Early Life of Rosa Parks - Rosa Parks Childhood." Rosa Parks Facts - Facts about Rosa

 Parks. Web. 14 Dec. 2011.

life-childhood.php#>.