Elizabella Rector
Mrs. Doerr
ELA 7th
13 April, 2023
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”, and she helped initiate the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man, which initiated the Civil Rights Movement. “Her resistance set in motion one of the largest social movements in history, the Montgomery Bus Boycott” (Norwood). There were many things that Rosa Parks did to help initiate the Civil Rights Movement. Through her protests against segregation, Rosa Parks became known as the mother of the civil rights movement, changing segregation laws forever.
Rosa Parks was tired of people being treated differently because of their race. She fought for desegregation,
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Rosa Parks knew what it felt like to be discriminated against. So, she felt as though it was essential to fight against and try to change the laws about discrimination. She gave speeches, participated in the Bus Boycott, and spoke out. “Parks spent most of 1956 traveling throughout the country, raising awareness and funds for the movement. Letters home during her travels describe how heady and tiring this work was—meeting Thurgood Marshall, visiting the Statue of Liberty, doing radio interviews, and giving numerous speeches” …show more content…
Her bravery, and determination taught others to fight against what they believe is wrong. Many people saw Rosa as a role model because of all she did to fight against segregation. “She protested housing segregation, participated in Detroit’s Great March for Freedom, and attended the March on Washington in August 1963” (Theoharis). Rosa Parks continued her protests even after she lost her job because she had determination, and wouldn’t give up. “Parks said it was “very difficult to keep going when all our work seemed to be in vain.” But she persevered” (Theoharis,
Rosa park is an american icon due to her pivotal role in the civil rights movement, which was sparked by her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white person in 1955, leading to her arrest and a city wide boycott of the bus system by african americans and ultimately bringing attention to the issue of segregation and inspiring other civil rights protests and movements in the united states. Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist born in Tuskegee, Alabama on February 4, 1913. Leona and James McCauley, her parents, were both African Americans who worked as teachers and carpenters, respectively. Rosa Parks was raised in a segregated world where racial discrimination was commonplace. Regardless, her mother instilled in her a strong sense of self-worth and taught her to advocate for herself and others.
Rosa Parks stood up for what she believed, or rather, sat down for what she believed. On the evening of December 1, 1955, Parks, an African American, chose to take a seat on the bus on her ride home from work. Because she sat down and refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, she was arrested for disobeying an Alabama law requiring black people to relinquish seats to white people when the bus was full. (Blacks also had to sit at the back of the bus.) Her arrest sparked a 381-day boycott of the Montgomery bus system.
According to Theoharis “Parks saw nonviolent direct action and self-defense as interlinked, both ket to achieving black rights and maintaining dignity” (Theoharis, 208). Theoharis proves that Parks is an incredible woman. Even after moving states and experiencing a multitude of hate, she still fought for what she believed in, and that is human rights and herself. Theoharis forces readers to understand that Rosa is so much more than just a black woman who would not give up her
A fearless woman of courage, hope, and determination, and one with an everlasting impact and story. The story of Rosa Parks' courageous act of standing up for the rights of colored to be treated fairly, by a simple gesture, sparked a movement across the nation, that still influences all until this day. A movement that changed the structure of equality in the nation, an effect we still see to this day. In a time of racial segregation, the colored were treated poorly with strict limitations, such as separation from the white in public (schools, churches, bathrooms, etc.), and the social aspect of life, as it was rare for a white to give hostility to a person of color. Civil rights were also not given equally to the colored, lacking rights such
Rosa Parks knew that breaking this norm would result in consequences but because of her bravery and good sense of morality she inspired and motivated others to make a stand (or more accurately sit) and fight against unjust laws and norms to fight for equality. She was one of the initiators of the Mongomery boycott movement where countless African Americans refused to take the bus to further push equal rights. Though it did result in Rosa Parks being arrested and many boycotters were threatened and even lost jobs, it resulted in a great change within our nation and was a huge step for civil
Rosa Parks set into motion an opportunity for African Americans to stand together in protest and have not only the injustice heard by whites, but also demanded equality on public transportation. Because Rosa Parks was a small woman and not a strong mean looking man, she was the perfect face for the civil rights fight in Alabama and across the country. Rosa was a person who was above reproach, and people could not find fault with her character. Rosa Parks was important to civil rights because she alway stood up for what's right even if she gets punished for doing the right thing. According to the text, Rosa Parks is important because she always stood up for the right thing when things weren't right she stood up for the African American community.
Rosa Parks refusing to give her seat on a bus to a white person was a clear expression of individualism. By refusing to comply with unjust laws that caused segregation and discrimination among people, Parks was standing up for her own rights and dignity as an individual. She was not willing to accept the status quo and instead chose to challenge the system. Parks' actions demonstrated the power of the individual to cause change by inspiring others to do the same. Her decision to take a stand was not just a personal choice; it was inspired by a movement and made people consider change in the need for civil rights and equality in America.
Likewise, Rosa Parks believed that God was not pleased with racism and segregation. Rosa Parks thanks God that she was able to hold her ground and said, “I was fortunate God provided me with the strength I needed at the precise time conditions were ripe for change. I am thankful for Him every day that he gave me the strength not to move”(Hare 1). Rosa Parks was quiet and respectful to others, and she expected the same kind of respect in return. Not only did she stand up for herself by not moving out of her seat, she was standing up for equality and fairness for all African Americans.
Rosa lived in a time when segregation, and racism were common in America, and she was constantly beset with issues concerning her race. Concerning her response to conflict, Tavaana states, “It was there that Rosa Parks, an African American woman, refused to vacate her seat in the middle of the bus so that a white man could sit in her place. She was arrested for her civil disobedience. Parks' arrest, a coordinated tactic meant to spark a grassroots movement, succeeded in catalyzing the Montgomery bus boycott”. Risking punishment, Rosa Parks chose to be brave, and in doing this, she gained control over an important aspect in her life: her freedom to choose what she needs and wants.
Rosa Parks' courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, her unwavering commitment to justice, and her pivotal role in the civil rights movement establish her as a truly great being whose legacy continues to inspire the fight for equality and social justice. Brave, Strong and Courageous are three character traits that she possesses which exemplifies the qualities of a great being. For instance, this quote shows how Rosa is being brave: “Rosa got on the bus through the front door. She was moving in the back stairs. She was moving back when the driver ordered Rosa to get off the bus”(47).
Most educated folks in America are familiar with Rosa Parks, but I wanted to focus my essay on how the other
The author of the Rosa Parks page emphasizes that, “By refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus in 1955, black seamstress Rosa Parks (1913—2005) helped initiate the civil rights movement in the United States” (Rosa Parks). Simply put, Rosa inspired the rest of the African American communities around the United States to protest through boycotts whenever they had the chance to do so. Determined to get the bus segregation law overturned, Parks and her fellow NAACP
Rosa parks follows another woman, Claudette Colvin. Claudette did do exactly the same thing as Rosa, but she was pregnant at the time so the NAACP though she didn’t have the ability to stand up on her own. Colvin, Parks, Lafayette, Emeagwali, Fuller, Malcolm X, and Bridges are just a couple of the great african-american heroes. Rosa Parks is a influence on all people. She shows everyone that if they stand up in what the believe in they can do all things, even if there are consequences.
When Rosa Parks got an arrest, it had started a resolution. When Rosa didn't get up from her seat for a white man, the driver called the police and arrested her. So at her court date, the African Americans had started a boycott. The Africans have to seat in the back of the bus in the colored section. Because Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man; she started a revolution and the fight for equal rights for black people.
Rosa took a stand because she did not want to be treated like a slave but she was not the only one how was sick of being a slave there was plenty of other people like there was Martin Luther King jr,Gandhi,Cesar Chavez, and plenty of other people. But also in those days slavery was fainting away but after her boycott Martin Luther King jr had his I HAVE A DREAM speech. Parks was also the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. capitol and also Parks was forced to move from montgomery soon after the boycott.