Rosa Parks

Who would think that a woman from a small town in Alabama would change the way African

Americans are perceived? Rosa Louise McCauley Parks never thought that by refusing to give up her

seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she would start a nation-wide movement for promoting the

rights of black people. When she was arrested on December 1, 1955, African Americans decided it

was time to do something about the racial segregation that was so well integrated into the everyday

society(1). Thus, the Montgomery Bus Boycott beganthousands of people refused to take the bus

and walked to show their support for what Rosa Parks did (2). But what really made Parks decide to

stand up to the law? In many books and interviews, she discussed numerous reasons why she did

what she did, but she always stressed out a few that were the most important to her.

Rosa Parks had inspirational adult figures to look up to as she was growing up, especially her

mother and grandmother. These strong women taught Parks to never be afraid of anything, to always

do the right thing. She stated that when she refused to give up her seat, she was not afraid; instead,

she thought of the many people before her who had to suffer from similar humiliating situations, and

of the ways her mother and grandmother taught her(4). That is what gave her strength to face the

unknown.

Ever since she was a little girl, she was a faithful member of an African Methodist Church.

Parks learned to put her trust in God and learned to find strength through him. She also learned how

vital it is to read the Bible, for it holds all the answers needed(3). So, at that fateful moment of her

life, Parks thought of the almighty Lord and prayed that justice will prevail. She knew what happened

to people who disobeyed the law, especially African Americans; nevertheless, she had faith that God

will keep her safe and help her out of this problem (3).
 More than anything, Parks stressed out that the main reason she refused to get up is that she

was tired. She was tired of social injustice, of how she and her fellow African Americans were treated

just because of the color of their skin. She hated prejudices, and rarely judged people. In one of her

books, she speaks of an incident when her house was broken into and the robber forced Parks to give

him all her money. Even then, as she says, she tried not to judge the person, because she did not know

what he had been through, and how much he needed her money and what for. She just wanted all

Americans to be treated the same, in all aspects of life (4). Parks knew that what she did would not

change the way people saw black people all over the world, but she hoped at least someone will

understand her message.

All in all, Rosa Parks has become one of the most iconic figures in modern American history.

She made a choice to not get out of that seat, and that choice started a journey she did not plan. It not

only changed her life, but it changed the course of the nation as well.

Reference Page

1. Parks, Rosa, James Haskins, and Patricia R. Floyd. I am rosa parks. Dial Books for
Young Readers, 1997.
2. Parks, Rosa. "Montgomery Bus Boycott." The Civil Rights Movement (1974): 45-57.
 3. Parks, Rosa, and Gregory J. Reed. Quiet strength: The faith, the hope, and the heart of
a woman who changed a nation. Zondervan, 2000.
4. "Rosa Parks Childhood Read About Rosa Parks as a Child." Rosaparksfacts. N.p., n.d.
Web. 31 Mar. 2017.
5. Daniels, Peter. "World Socialist Web Site." Rosa Parks and the Lessons of the Civil
Rights Movement - World Socialist Web Site. N.p., 08 Nov. 2005. Web. 31 Mar. 2017.