Rosa
Parks’ impact lasting, important
for all
Lauren
Williams
The 1950s and 1960s
were a tumultuous era for blacks. The civil rights movement was a decades-long
struggle, fought both in the courtroom and in the streets. Many people withstood
degradation and were the object of torment for many cruel racists, all for
the chance to be acknowledged as an equal human being. Most of the aforementioned
incidents were results of the action of one powerful, determined woman, Rosa
Parks.
Parks was a woman best defined by her perpetual determination. When confronted
with adversity, she challenged it. It was not Parks’ intention to become
a martyr for the civil rights movement. She was just a stubborn lady who saw
a flaw in the societal norm and challenged it.
Her action is something that deserves great respect. Rather than acquiesce to
what was accepted by most
Southerners, Parks defied what she saw as unfair, choosing to forego the few
rights she was granted in Alabama and go to jail for what she
felt was right.
Parks is among the few people who posses the strength of character required to
passionately protect what is right. Parks serves as a hero not only to blacks,
but also to anyone who believes in equality, justice and humanitarianism.
Parks’ simple act illuminated the demeaning treatment blacks were subject
to across the nation. Millions of people responded to the deplorable acts of
mistreatment through protests and boycotts of public buses. The actions of this
one woman inspired an entire revolution that sought to change the social standing
of an underrepresented population.
Recently, Parks returned to the limelight for suing the popular musical duo Outkast
for using her name in a song. Although this may seem like another excessive lawsuit,
it is another example of Parks’ personal protest against what she deems
unfair. As with her 1955 bus protest, she saw something she did not agree with
and acted on it, defying something that would have otherwise been socially accepted.
Parks taught America several very important lessons that should never be forgotten.
The first is to always stand up for what you believe in. The second lesson is
a single person can make great changes.
Too often people believe they cannot make a difference by acting out against
what they see as unjust, but Parks showed us this is not the case.
The final, and arguably most important lesson is that perseverance can mean the
difference between success and failure. What would have happened if Parks gave
up after the police confronted her for disobeying? Would de facto desegregation
ever have been realized?
Sadly, segregation continues in several parts of the nation. Although it is not
as prominent as it was 50 years ago, we cannot continue to ignore the lingering
racism that continues to exist within our nation. America is one of the most
diverse nations in the world and it is important every citizen receives the respect
he or she deserves as a human being. We must educate ourselves and become aware
of the social injustices that still exist in our society in order to create a
better world.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The good neighbor looks beyond the external
accidents and discerns those inner
qualities that make all men human and, therefore,
brothers.”
We all should strive to incorporate these values in our lives to ultimately create
a better, more compassionate society.
Lauren Williams is a sophomore journalism major and the assistant opinion
editor
of the Daily Forty-Niner.
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