Rosa Parks and and the Fight for Freedom Essay Example

helped end just by not moving to the back of a bus. Without interference from Rosa Parks, buses could have been segregated for much longer. Rosa Parks went to jail for not moving from her seat. Even though Parks knew that not moving to the back of the bus would have consequences, she still stood up for herself and all black people who had faced segregation. Her selfless act for a short while might have caused negativity to her personally, but overall positively changed the lives of many. Rosa’s selfless personality changed the lives of many around her for the better.

Rosa Parks inspired many because she was a relatable figure for many black Americans. When she refused to move to the back of the bus, Rosa Parks was a forty-two-year-old seamstress who was leaving work. She was not a predominant public speaker, or a looked up to figure in the community or even a college graduate. She was an average person who showed what one average person could do to change the world. Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton in 1996. This award shows how someone can go from an unknown seamstress in Alabama who is facing unjustness, to a recipient of the highest honor in the United States. Rosa Parks showed how anyone can take a stand and do what is right. Rosa Parks was a relatable figure who inspired many just by countering injustice.

Rosa Parks caused the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was arguably the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the South. For 381 days, black people in Montgomery boycotted buses because of Parks’ arrest. The

boycott, which was organized by the NAACP, made it so people would travel with taxi cabs and carpooling. Because the large majority of people riding the buses were black, the bus companies had very few people riding buses, and therefore they lost thousands of dollars each day. The Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional on November 13, 1956, and the boycott ended on December 20, 1956. Due to one woman, bus segregation ended across the whole country. Many say that the boycott is the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, as it showed people that communities could come together and take a stand. Due to Rosa Parks selflessly taking a stand against segregation, a whole community gathered together to end an injustice.

Some may believe that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the most influential leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King gave a very famous speech known as his “I Have a Dream” speech which inspired many. As a preacher, Dr. King was a very inspirational public speaker. His well-crafted and thoughtful speeches helped him convey his message during the Civil Rights movement. Dr. King also spread a message of peaceful protest, which showed his moral character. If he did not value peaceful protest, like some other Civil Rights leaders, then people may have been less eager to participate in protests. His message of peaceful protest inspired many people to challenge injustice. Others could have the belief that Dr. Martin Luther King was the most influential Civil Rights leader because of his public speaking abilities, and message of peaceful protest.

Rosa Parks was an inspirational Civil Rights leader who took the first step

to end segregation in the South. Rosa Parks successfully challenged decades of racism in the South with one brave action. She inspired many people by showing them how easy it is for one person to make a big difference. While she might not have planned it then, by not changing seats on a bus one day, Rosa Parks started a whole movement which ended with the end of segregation in the South. Rosa Parks continued her activism through founding charities and organizations, even after the Civil Rights Movement ended, and was even the first woman ever to lie in honor at the US Capitol Rotunda after her death. Rosa Parks was undoubtedly one of the most inspirational figures in American history, and will forever be remembered for her brave actions. The most influential leader in the Civil Rights Movement was Rosa Parks because she stood up for black people all across the South, she was a relatable figure for many people, and because she caused the Montgomery Bus Boycott. While Rosa Parks might not have expected to be remembered as one of the most influential people in American history, she will always be remembered for standing up for black Americans and starting a movement that changed America forever.