Rosa Parks represents what an awesome force for change even one person can be, if they have the courage. If one woman can inspire so much, imagine what we can do together. Her life might have been easier if she’d given up her seat, given in to the status quo, but she wouldn’t have been truly free. The easy way, the habitual way, “the way it’s always been done” sometimes must be broken through.
While thousands honor Rosa Parks today, BBC has posted reader tributes.
I think she accomplished a lot by not giving up her seat.
I have other personal heroes, too. My own grandfather hid a Jewish teenager in their home in Holland during WW2. He had a farm, a wife, and 11 children…and he put all of that at risk to stand up to the occupying Nazis. I always wonder if I would have had that kind of courage, if put to the test. Makes you think, you know?
My family owned a house that was a stop on the Underground Railroad. If they had been found out, they and the slaves they were protecting would have been killed and the house burned. Thankfully, it did not happen that way. I admire those who put themselves at risk for something they believe in, something worth fighting for.
As we used to say in the days of Civil Rights demonstrations and voter registration and Freedom Marches, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
A Seat On The Bus For Rosa
Finally it’s time to go,
All day I’ve pushed peddles with my feet,
I’ll hurry to the bus stop,
Being sure to get a good seat.
There, a chance to rest,
Home, I’m on my way,
Only to get up tomorrow,
And put in another day.
Photos, questions and fingerprints,
Did I commit a crime?
I distinctly remembered when I boarded,
Dropping in my dime.
Why give up my seat?
After working hard all day,
I thought the fare was the same for all,
Is there more I have to pay?
Don’t they know how hard I’ve worked?
To get this seat I had to rush,
Now you’re going to tell me,
Move to the back of the bus.
Wait, I pay my taxes,
Even go to church and pray,
They do not have the right,
To treat Rosa Parks this way.
I never wanted to start a movement,
Just have a seat on the bus,
Being treated fairly as an American,
Why is everyone making such a fuss?
My name is known throughout the world,
In history books here and there,
It really didn’t have to be me you know,
Just anyone who paid their fare.
Almost 50 years later,
An Icon is my name,
I’d gladly do it all again,
Circumstances being the same,
Heaven is my final journey,
Can’t wait till I get there,
Knowing I’m going to enjoy the ride,
I’ve already paid my fare.
By Luke Easter