What many people don't realize is that it wasn't a spur of the moment decision on the part of Ms. Parks. It was planned. She knew she would be arrested and possibly beaten or killed, but she volunteered for the protest anyway.
A few years ago, we drove down to Michigan and visited the Henry Ford Museum, which is an amazing collection of all different kinds of things and displays of various eras. One thing that is at the museum is the ACTUAL bus on which Rosa Parks made her memorable seat choice. You can get in the bus and sit down and take pictures. I've never had that kind of courage, but it was very moving to be able to be seated in that bus and really think about what it must have been like. -Jenn
I'm afraid that my hero-worship for the lady (is one allowed to say 'heroine' these days?) was somewhat tempered when I learned that she wasn't the first to do what she did, though she WAS the first whom the newspapers and radio/TV of the time picked up on. That doesn't diminish at all what she did, it was still undoubtedly acutely brave, but I do wonder if more due ought to have been given to her predecessor(s?) in the act..
It's amazing to think that something like that happened in my country of birth in my lifetime... and there's still so much more road to travel. But isn't it wonderful what one individual can accomplish?
I remember those terrible days very well. The southern states were the worst. But there was also hidden discrimination in the North as well -- against black people and Jews, as well as Catholics. A classmate of mine in a New England high school had her whole family threatened by people in their neighborhood, because her father wanted to rent a house to a black family. And believe you me, it is still going on, especially in the deep South.
I saw a biographical television show about her. She was asked why she did it and she responded that she was tired. As a white male, I would never expect anyone, woman or man, young or old, to give up their seat for me, well not yet. To me, that was the ugliest form of entitlement.
A true American hero and for once, a hero who actually gets credit for her actions.
ReplyDeleteoh miss rosa, we still have so far to go...
ReplyDeleteBut the US has come a long way
DeleteLet us hope we keep moving in the right direction!
ReplyDeleteWe will
DeleteYes indeed. A hero. We need more.
ReplyDeleteThe pendulum of equality needs to stay in the middle and not divert to the right or left. Tricky.
ReplyDeleteIt always needed to be in the middle
DeleteI know I could not have been as brave as Ms Parks. That took gumption.
ReplyDeleteWhat many people don't realize is that it wasn't a spur of the moment decision on the part of Ms. Parks. It was planned. She knew she would be arrested and possibly beaten or killed, but she volunteered for the protest anyway.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
What courage Rosa showed and what an amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, we drove down to Michigan and visited the Henry Ford Museum, which is an amazing collection of all different kinds of things and displays of various eras. One thing that is at the museum is the ACTUAL bus on which Rosa Parks made her memorable seat choice. You can get in the bus and sit down and take pictures. I've never had that kind of courage, but it was very moving to be able to be seated in that bus and really think about what it must have been like. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteShe's always been a hero of mine; I've never understood the US institutionalised racism.
ReplyDeleteA true hero.
ReplyDeleteSuch courage and conviction and how sad that it had to happen anyway..humans are strange.
ReplyDeleteA brave woman.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that my hero-worship for the lady (is one allowed to say 'heroine' these days?) was somewhat tempered when I learned that she wasn't the first to do what she did, though she WAS the first whom the newspapers and radio/TV of the time picked up on. That doesn't diminish at all what she did, it was still undoubtedly acutely brave, but I do wonder if more due ought to have been given to her predecessor(s?) in the act..
ReplyDeleteIt seems crazy that it was only sixty years ago.
ReplyDeleteImagine what the world would be like without the bravery of ordinary people!!
ReplyDeleteRaybeard's comment is interesting. Let us just recognise her as representative and honour her all the same.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I am asked if I have a hero, the answer is always Rosa.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I listen about her story on the Jeremy Vine show, rightly remembered, what a brave and ground breaking lady.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to think that something like that happened in my country of birth in my lifetime... and there's still so much more road to travel. But isn't it wonderful what one individual can accomplish?
ReplyDeleteI remember those terrible days very well. The southern states were the worst. But there was also hidden discrimination in the North as well -- against black people and Jews, as well as Catholics. A classmate of mine in a New England high school had her whole family threatened by people in their neighborhood, because her father wanted to rent a house to a black family. And believe you me, it is still going on, especially in the deep South.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful soul that Rosa....
ReplyDeleteI saw a biographical television show about her. She was asked why she did it and she responded that she was tired. As a white male, I would never expect anyone, woman or man, young or old, to give up their seat for me, well not yet. To me, that was the ugliest form of entitlement.
ReplyDelete