Rosa Parks and Racism Essay Example

faced two major challenges in her life. The first challenge that Rosa Parks faced was being very sick as a child and separated from her father when her parents divorced. She grew up on a farm and attended rural schools until age 11. She went to a laboratory school for secondary education but had to drop out to take care of her grandmother and mother who became ill. This made her grow up without very many material things. She was forced to walk to school when the white children were bussed. She was bullied because of this. “As far back as I remember, I could never think in terms of accepting physical abuse without some form of retaliation if possible.” She did fight back. The biggest challenge for Rosa Parks was segregation. It was a challenge that many African-Americans faced on a daily basis but based on her actions, it hit Rosa even harder causing her to fight for what she thought was right. “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” Rosa Parks was tired of giving in and sitting at the back of the bus with fellow African-Americans. She didn’t believe it was fair and she wanted to be equal with the white race. Rosa faced racial discrimination which resulted in segregation. Rosa Parks grew up throughout a time once the colour of a person’s skin outlined WHO they were and the way they were treated. Parks had no intention of becoming the “Mother of the Civil

Rights Movement,” she was just an ordinary, common, every-day seamstress. Rosa Parks was an honorable woman who stood up and fought for civil rights for African Americans. “ I don't think well of people who are prejudiced against people because of race. The only way for prejudiced people to change is for them to decide for themselves that all human beings should be treated fairly. We can't force them to think that way.” Rosa Parks felt that the only way for people to change is for them to decide for themselves. You can’t force anyone to try and do that, they have to do it for oneselves. Rosa Parks faced major challenges throughout her life but because of her inner strength and conviction was able to overcome them.

There are many positive characteristics to Rosa Parks. For instance, Rosa Parks was brave, loyal and unshakable. She always did what she had to. If she hadn't refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus resulting in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, there would possibly still be segregation today. No one can tell anyone where to sit or what they can or cannot do. Rosa Parks’ bravery led to nationwide efforts to finish racial segregation. Racial segregation is the general separation of individuals into racial or different ethnic groups in daily life. “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” In this quote, Rosa Parks says that you shouldn’t be afraid when you are doing the honorable and proper thing. She proved her loyalty to her family by dropping out of school to care for her grandmother

and then her mother when they became too ill to care for themselves. She also proved her loyalty to the civil rights movement by accepting the role of secretary. She worked for the local leader Edgar Nixon, even though he said, “Women don't need to be nowhere but in the kitchen.” When Parks asked, “Well what about me?” He said, “I need a secretary and you are a good one.” Rosa stayed even though she didn't like his response. This proved she was very loyal to the cause. Rosa Parks was unshakable in her conviction. On Thursday, December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus in downtown Montgomery. She paid and sat down in an empty seat in the first row designated for the black race. When the white section filled up the bus driver moved the sign behind where she was sitting. He told her and three others to move. They did, but Rosa Parks refused. “When that white driver stepped back toward us, when he waved his hand and ordered us up and out of our seats, I felt a determination cover my body like a quilt on a winter night.” When the bus driver threatened to call the police and have her arrested she said, “You may do that.” She also stated, “I would have to know for once in for all what rights I have as a human being and a citizen.” By not giving in to any authority, whether the bus driver or the police, Rosa Parks proved how truly unshakeable she was. This strengthens our belief that Rosa Parks portrayed many positive character traits in her lifetime.

Rosa Parks has

positively impacted others and the world by standing up for her personal rights. Rosa Parks lost her job because of her arrest and her husband quit his job when his boss would not allow him to talk about her. She decided to travel and speak out about the issues of segregation and how it affected her and others. Rosa Parks travelled from Montgomery to Detroit speaking out wherever she could. “I don't feel a great deal of difference here… housing segregation is just as bad, and it seems more noticeable in the larger cities.” She participated in the movement for open and fair housing. Rosa Parks offered help in the first campaign for Congress by John Conyers. She was able to convince Martin Luther King to appear with Conyers to help him get votes. She worked for him as a secretary when he was elected. She concentrated on socio-economic issues such as welfare, job discrimination, and education. Conyers said of her contribution “You treated her with deference because she was so quiet, so serene/just a very special person… There was only one Rosa Parks.” Rosa did not believe that you have to be loud and boisterous to make a point, just determined and never give up. Rosa Parks made many strides in helping and segregation, but in 1994 at age 81 she was robbed and assaulted. The perpetrator was an African-American man. Parks said “Many gains have been made… But as you can see, at this time we still have a long way to go.” She never stopped thinking that everyone is equal and should be treated so. Whether white or black they should follow

the laws of the land and if not pay the penalty. The man who had attacked her went to prison. Throughout her lifetime Rosa Parks stood for human rights and justice. With her strength of determination, she never gave in and served as a positive influence to all.

“Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.” - Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks faced two major challenges in her life, there are many positive characteristics to Rosa Parks, and Rosa Parks has positively impacted others and the world by standing up for her personal rights. Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott is a serious milestone in civil rights history and as a result, it triggered a civil rights movement. She became a world icon on-resistance for segregation and helped ratify the peace between the blacks and whites. When Rosa Parks died in 2005 the city officials in Montgomery and Detroit announced that the front seats of their city buses would be reserved with black ribbons in her honor. A memorial service was held and Condoleezza Rice, United States Secretary of State said that if it hadn't been for Rosa Parks she would have never become Secretary of State. She is black.