Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks (www.ghostinthemachine.net/rosa_parks.jpg)

Many people recognize Rosa Parks as the woman who refused to get up for a white man on a city bus. But what others may not be familiar with is that she helped change the Civil Rights Movement, helped encourage a successful boycott, and was a secretary for an African American group. Throughout Rosa Parks’ life, she dealt with difficult conflicts. However, she pushed through them to have a positive outcome in the life of others. Having been African American, she could relate to other people’s emotions during the time of segregation. She felt she needed to change things in the nation, so she joined organizations, rebelled against the law, and helped make segregation illegal. Rosa Parks dreamed for segregation in America to disappear. With courage and determination, Parks’ dream came true through her actions and vocal activism.

Rosa Parks is a deserving hero. Rosa Louise McCauley was born February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. Parks, and her family, moved to Pine Level, Alabama during her childhood. After completing her education in Pine Level, at age 11, her mother enrolled her in Montgomery Industrial School for Girls. She then went on to Alabama State Teacher’s College in her teen age years. She did not graduate though due to her grandmother getting ill and later resulting in her death. Later on, after marrying her husband, Raymond Parks, she received her high school diploma. Parks worked several jobs such as a housekeeper, an insurance woman, and a seamstress. On December 1, 1955, Parks was arrested from refusing to give up her seat for a Caucasian man on a Montgomery city bus. Four days later, the bus boycott began along with Parks’ trial. The boycott lasted for 381 days and was a triumph. Parks passed away on October 24, 2005. Throughout Parks’ life, she carried a positive attitude and personality that later inspired others.

Parks sitting on the city bus. (www.labeez.org/2009/03/remembering-rosa.php)

Parks had the courage to stand up for herself and other African Americans. One day, Parks was coming home on the city bus from a tiring day of work: “On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man who wanted it” (“Parks”). Parks demonstrated courageousness when she stood up for herself and other African Americans. She could have backed out and gave her seat up like any other day, but she was exhausted of the same routine of having to give up her seat because the color of her skin. After the bus incident, “She [Parks] was arrested and fined but her action led to a successful boycott of the Montgomery buses by African American riders” (Strong). Parks’ had the courage to do what no other person was brave enough to do. At the time, people followed the rules of segregation even if they felt like it was not right. But when Parks refused to get out of the seat, it astonished the African Americans and inspired them to stand up for themselves. This trait of courage and determination helped Parks overcome the segregation in America.

Parks at the police getting her fingerprint stamp (www.pacificviews.org/weblog/archives/001619.html)

Parks was determined to make change in America so everyone would be treated equally. “With the guidance of civil rights lawyers, she [Parks] helped challenge the laws which allowed such segregation. In 1956 the Supreme Court declared this type of segregation illegal” (Petruso). Parks wanted change to occur in America. Her action helped America realize what the nation had turned into. On Raymond Parks suggestion, “She [Rosa] also became an active member of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP), working as secretary of the Montgomery chapter” (“Parks”). She joined the NAACP to help get rid of segregation. Parks did all she could do so that colored people would be treated fairly. Parks determination helped change America forever.

Parks at an old age (dukes.stark.k12.oh.us/.../AfricanAmer/rparks.htm)

Parks’ lifetime of bravery inspired others to stand up for what they believe. “By this simple act, which today would seem unremarkable, she [Rosa] set in motion the civil rights movement, which led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ultimately ensured that today all black Americans must be given treatment with whites under the law” (“Parks”). Parks wanted others to see how she saw people. She saw everyone equally, no matter what color their skin was. Her actions and fortitude helped set the motion for the civil rights movement, which eventually led to segregation becoming illegal. After the arrest of Parks, the community came together to help her: “Thus, NAACP officials and Montgomery church leaders decided that Parks’ arrest could provide the necessary impetus for a successful bus boycott” (Strong). When Parks was arrested, the community realized they had to stand up for what they believed in order to make change happen. The success of the bus boycott in Montgomery proved to America that people do not have to accept discrimination and segregation. Parks was the inspiration to get others to help change the segregation laws. Through courage and determination, Rosa Parks stayed true to her dream which changed history forever. Rosa Parks is a true hero.