Rosa Park’s Eulogy Paper Essay Example

downtown Montgomery, Alabama (www.biography.com).

Oprah Winfrey

During her childhood in the South in the 1950s, Oprah Winfrey, one of the world's most successful and wealthiest women, was greatly influenced by Rosa Parks. Later in life, she met Parks and considered her a mentor who inspired her to persevere in challenging career choices. Despite facing obstacles, Oprah thrived and succeeded throughout her life thanks to Parks' influence (www.notablebiographies.com).

Elements Commonly Found in Eulogies

Kunkel and Dennis (2010) have identified eight common elements frequently found in eulogies. These elements are: establishing credibility, praising the deceased, expressing personal emotions, utilizing problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, providing positive appraisals, sharing memories of past relationships, and maintaining bonds with the deceased. While not all eulogies require all of these elements, they can be found in many well-known eulogies. The order in which these elements are presented is flexible. Now let's explore the meaning of each element. Credibility refers to the level of trust and belief that the audience places in the speaker.

The act of praising the deceased involves expressing admiration for their achievements and similar accomplishments. Self-disclosure of emotion entails sharing one's feelings about stressful events, such as the death of a loved one. Problem-focused coping refers to giving specific instructions for action. Emotion-focused coping is similar to problem-focused coping but focuses on a broader goal rather than specific tasks. Positive reappraisal involves speaking positively about the deceased.

The passage discusses various ways to honor and remember someone who has passed away. It suggests reflecting on joyful memories or admiring the person's virtuous life. It also emphasizes the importance of recognizing both positive and negative aspects of the person's character. Additionally, it highlights the significance

of maintaining a connection with the deceased by speaking to them as if they were still present.

Evaluation of Elements found in Rosa Park’s Eulogy

Oprah Winfrey's eulogy for Rosa Parks is notable due to her credibility. As a renowned talk show host, Oprah Winfrey has established her credibility through hosting her own show for many years.

Oprah, a highly successful and wealthy woman with global recognition, doesn't need to demonstrate her credibility much like the President of the United States doesn't have to explain their identity and established credibility. However, in the introduction of her speech, Oprah does acknowledge a factor that helps strengthen her credibility.

Oprah declares that it is her great honor to be present and bid a final farewell (line 2). By expressing this, Oprah modestly acknowledges her inferiority before the audience, portraying herself as incapable of matching Rosa Parks' significance to both herself and the black community. Another element utilized by Oprah Winfrey in her eulogy is admiration for the departed. Oprah employs this aspect to portray Rosa as a larger-than-life hero, recounting her initial perception of Rosa when she first learned of the bus incident. Oprah remembers imagining Rosa as “a hundred feet tall … [and] being stalwart and strong and carrying a shield to hold back the white folks” (lines 6-7). Despite its humor, this detail helps the audience form an image of Rosa in their minds, perceiving her as Oprah did - a hero.

This element is also intertwined with the next element in this eulogy. The third element that Oprah Winfrey uses in her eulogy for Rosa Parks is a Positive reappraisal. Oprah Winfrey's positive reappraisal of Rosa Parks is slightly

intertwined with her previous element, praise for the deceased. After all, a part of her experience with Rosa Parks is a happy memory of her from when she was a child and when her “father telling” her the news (line 4).

Oprah Winfrey's positive reappraisal is twofold. Firstly, it stems from her personal encounter with Rosa Parks before Parks' passing. Oprah admits that her previous assumptions about Parks' appearance were completely off the mark. In fact, Parks was a petite and delicate lady who exuded grace and goodness. Oprah reflects on the erroneous choice of words she used when describing Parks earlier, unintentionally depicting her as a typical old lady universally adored. Rather, she portrays Parks as someone's mother or grandmother, a courageous individual who made the right choice despite the potential consequences of severe trouble.

In the latter part of her eulogy, Oprah Winfrey incorporates the fourth element commonly found in eulogies, which involves maintaining an interactive connection with the deceased. Oprah directly addresses Rosa Parks, expressing gratitude for her impactful life of service (lines 14-15). Additionally, Oprah thanks Rosa for her notable refusal to yield her seat on the bus (line 15). Oprah acknowledges that this act has significantly influenced her own life and the lives of countless individuals worldwide (line 16). Without Rosa's courageous action, Oprah would not have been the person she is today, standing before a live audience to deliver this speech. In conclusion, Oprah admires Rosa's determination and continues to honor her strength.

And I am forever grateful, Sister Rosa, for your courage, your conviction. I owe you … I will not be moved,” (lines 29 - 33). The reason why these

last few lines are so good is that while Orpah is not only thanking a woman whom she felt mentored her, is she is praising this woman for her strength and her courage in a concise few lines and is also honor Rosa Parks all at the same time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Oprah Winfrey delivered an incredible eulogy for the late Rosa Parks. She achieved this by using the elements of credibility, praise for the deceased, positive reappraisal, and continuation of interactive bonds with the deceased.

Oprah Winfrey's speech demonstrated the power of credibility. As a highly recognized figure, she didn't have to prove her own credibility to the audience. What stood out to me was how she stressed the significance of staying connected with those who have passed away in the latter part of her speech. It was a clever move on Oprah's part to express gratitude towards Rosa for her brave act of not giving up her bus seat, as it had a profound impact on others.