Change

Those who effect positive change in a negative world full of hate and violence have my upmost admiration and respect. That pretty much sums up Rosa Parks for me.

But I never really understood that until a few years ago.

I've always known what Rosa Parks had done... she refused to give up her seat to a white man, was arrested because of it, and is credited with being the founder of the Civil Rights Movement... that's taught in school and is an ingrained part of American culture. But it wasn't until 2002 that I found out she was so much more than just an act of defiance. That's when CBS television aired The Rosa Parks Story.

And the strange thing was that I didn't tune in because I was wanting to know more about Rosa Parks, I tuned in because the movie starred Angela Bassett, of which I am a huge, huge fan.

But Angela Bassett, despite her incredible performance, turned out to be the least important part of the film. Rosa Park's story was amazing enough all on its own...

After seeing the film, I became obsessed with her. I read her book, tracked down interviews, and started reading books about the Civil Rights Movement. She was a fascinating piece of history, a living legend, and was made even more so because she never set out to be the icon she eventually became.

Most people have the idea that Miss Parks was just tired from work one day, and made the snap decision to be stubborn when told to give up her seat. It didn't really work like that. Yes she was tired from work, but not so much so that she wouldn't have given up her seat to somebody who was handicapped, pregnant, elderly, or whatever... she was tired of the treatment she had to endure on a daily basis, and that's what motivated her to defy a horrible law which defined her as less than a person because of the color of her skin. This was the culmination of years of systematic abuse... not some wacky stunt because she had a hard day at work. It always infuriates me when people diminish what happened because they think she was "too tired to know any better" or thought she had PMS or some other excuse that explains away her behavior that day. Make no mistake, Miss Parks knew full well the consequences of her actions, and deserves to be called a hero for standing up for equal rights under the law.

It just so happens that "standing up" meant sitting down this time.

The Rosa Parks Story is available on DVD, and well worth a rental at your local video store. Her book, Quiet Strength is also worth a read, and could quite possibly make you take a new look at the world around you, much as it did me. If you want to read something right now, Scholastic has a site available for their children's book My Story, by Rosa Parks which is terrific, and they also have a really good interview online (even though it's written for kids, it's still great stuff).

Rest in peace Miss Parks... and thank you for being one of those rare persons effecting positive change in a negative world, and making things better for all of us because of it.

Comments

That was a really lovely post, Dave. I know some of Rosa Parks' story through documentaries and different articles on the civil rights movement, but I've haven't read her book or seen the movie. I'll definitely have to check those out.
I think it's extraordinary that the hope that one person can instill in so many, by one act, can live so long after the event. Especially in the current climate, hope is a great gift. I just try to remember that after McCarthyism came the 60's! There's always twists and turns, and occasional surges backwards, but I think the human race always manages to move forward - despite the best efforts of some - because of the efforts of people like Rosa Parks.

Posted by Becca on October 26, 2005

   

I watched The Rosa Parks Story when it was originally broadcast, and it was truly one of the most moving, inspiring films I've ever seen. Rosa Parks was a beautiful and courageous woman, a genuine hero. Occupying a bus seat seems such a small act, but in fact, she was laying her freedom — even her life — on the line in the name of equal rights.

Posted by SJ on October 26, 2005

   

you are definitely a man of thought. from your rants on airports to your admiration of Rosa Parks.

makes you a VERY interesting read.

Posted by apryl on October 26, 2005

   

I meant to post an entry about her passing yesterday but I think you've summed it up much better than I could.

Posted by Troy on October 26, 2005

   

Thanks for the recommendations. There is also a children's book called "Rosa", that I've put on our list.

Posted by Belinda on October 26, 2005

   

i resoect rosa park as she where my mother but if it was for rosa park rosa parks us black people where not be here now but thank u we love ps chanelle i hope 2 here from ur augonization

Posted by chanelle on March 08, 2007

   

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