ROSA LOUISE PARKS | 1913-2005: Good-bye, Mrs. Park

[Tara]

ROSA LOUISE PARKS | 1913-2005: Good-bye, Mrs. Parks

BY CASSANDRA SPRATLING
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

When Rosa Parks refused to get up, an entire race of people began to stand up for their rights as human beings.

Her refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man was a simple act that took extraordinary courage in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955. It was a place where black people had no rights that white people had to respect. It was a time when racial discrimination was so common, many blacks never questioned it.

At least not out loud.

But then came Rosa Louise Parks.

Jim Crow had met his match.

Parks, the mother of the civil rights movement, died about 7:20 p.m. Monday at her home in the Riverfront Apartments in Detroit. (continue)

I really need to keep up with the news while in school... *shakes head*

[ophelia97]

It's amazing how far society has come in half a century and she lived just long enough to see the progress.

[Tara]

Some progress of course.

[cenk]

I read about her when I was interested in civil/human rights in America a few years back (Sad I know, but I love reading about the history, culture and politics of as many different countries as possible). Its so sad that a woman would have to give up her seat for a man. I would understand if he was an old man but not a young man.

admin said:

Some progress of course.

Some progress has been made but it is no way complete. Don't you remember the race riots in Los Angeles back in the 1990's. How the hell the policemen got away with beating up that black guy is beyond me especially when the whole incident was recorded on camera.

[Tara]

cenk said:

I read about her when I was interested in civil/human rights in America a few years back (Sad I know, but I love reading about the history, culture and politics of as many different countries as possible).

There is nothing sad about being educated.

Some progress has been made but it is no way complete. Don't you remember the race riots in Los Angeles back in the 1990's. How the hell the policemen got away with beating up that black guy is beyond me especially when the whole incident was recorded on camera.

Yes, I remember the Rodney King incidents. And "Why can't we all get along?"

[ophelia97]

I doubt it will ever be complete. There will always be at least someone who can't get past race differences.It can't even be limited to the "white/black" rift if you consider the people who think all races other than their own are inferior.

[Tara]

Do you think things will change? If so, for worst or for better?

[ophelia97]

I think we're gradually working towards better change, but it's impossible to get to a perfect point. Even if there's just one racist out there, it won't be fully achieved, and there will always be a handful of them.