I logged on to the internet tonight to check my email, complete some school work, etc. And the first headline that greeted me was
"Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Dies at 92"
I felt like I was going to cry.
I have always been fascinated by Rosa Parks. I have always thought she was truly a wise and courageous lady ever since the first day that I read about her fateful day and her fateful bus ride that aided in changing the course of history.
Probably because I'm not really a "courageous" person. Oh, I talk a good game. But when it comes right down to it, more often than not - I'm afraid to "act" if I'm "put on the spot". Probably because I'm a "white" girl born and raised in the suburbs - who is 33 years old, born after the major work of the civil rights movement (1972) - including rights fought for and obtained for (and by) women.
After all - by the time I was sexually active it was legal for me to take the birth control pill, I was told from day one I could do anything I wanted to do - including go to college, work, AND raise a family (however - see my earlier rantings about this). I was never told I wasn't "good enough" to sit down on the bus, drink from a water fountain, or use a certain bathroom. When I turned 18 I immediately was granted the right to vote. Let's face it - I've led a pretty sheltered life - maybe that's why I'm not that courageous, brave, wise...and I'm not going to even touch the term "lady". Smile.
But not Rosa Parks - not this great lady. She was born and raised in the deep south during the era of the infamous "Jim Crow" laws. She grew up with signs telling her where she could and couldn't go to the bathroom, eat, and use the water fountain. She wasn't even able to finish high school until later in her life. Not because she didn't want to, but because she needed to go to work in order to support her family.
She was told from day one that she was "less" of a person than her "white" peers. She probably lived in fear more often than not because lynchings and the Klu Klux Klan were very active and very real during this period in history - and murdered many people - whether we choose to believe it or not. In the same year she was arrested and taken to jail for refusing to give up her seat for a white man there were two other women arrested for the same reason, so she probably had a good idea she was going to go to jail (if not something worse) when she decided to remain seated.
What was going through her mind?
She had just finished a working a long day. Her feet hurt and I'm sure her spirit and body were tired. What is that special spark in some people? That spark of courage where some people stand out and stand up for what they believe. They refuse to be trod upon any longer and actually DO something about it. They face their fears head on, face the enemy and say "bring it on - I know I'm right - I'm standing my ground - do your worst". What would have happened in history if this scene had played out differently? As I'm sure it had many times before. The black woman who has worked all day on her feet stands up (with her head down-facing the floor) and moves out of the white mans way. He sits in her seat...the bus keeps rolling...
But it didn't...
One woman - made one decision. She faced ahead knowing the possible consequences and said "no". She said no to this WRONG thing, no to this WRONG idea - no to a rule that treated her like nothing more than a dog - like less of a human being because of the color of the pigment in her skin. She refused. She was very polite, but she refused. She accepted the consequences. She had the courage and the grace to face her enemies and history took a different turn. Thank You Rosa. I always admired you, I always will. This white girl from Oklahoma who was born almost 20 years after that day on the bus. Born after you had lived most of your life through trial and tribulation. Rosa ended up moving to Detroit because she couldn't find a job in Alabama after what had happened. She and her family were threatened and harrassed. Two years after the fateful day on the bus she moved away from family and friends. The negative consequences still following her, and still...she never regretted her decision.
People use words like "hero, lady, and courageous" pretty loosely these days. That's too bad, because there are VERY few people who REALLY qualify. I'm SURE not one of them, but I'm thankful that there have been people who are. Thanks Rosa - You were a true hero, you were truly brave, and truly a lady. I would have loved to have met you, but even though I never did you have influenced my life anyway. My life and countless others. I hope you are reunited with your husband and finally at rest. Rest in peace great lady.
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