Rosa Parks example essay topic

Quiet Strength Raymond Parks married Rosa McCauley December 18, 1932. He was a barber from Wedowee County, Alabama. He supported his wife's "quiet strength" and encouraged other African-American children to get a good education so they could support themselves, their families and to eliminate discrimination in this country. Racial segregation caused Raymond and Rosa's commitment to first class citizenship for people of color.

Rosa, a seamstress, finished high school after her marriage to Raymond. They both encouraged other African-Americans to register to vote, pool their financial resources, and become involved in community development. Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913 and has been called the "mother of the civil rights movement". She is also one of the most important citizens of the 20th century. Forty years ago on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, after a long day of work, refused to give her seat on a bus to a white man. At this, the white bus driver threatened to call the police unless Rosa Parks gave her up her seat, but she calmly replied, "Go ahead and call them".

By the time the police arrived, the driver was very angry, and when asked whether he wanted Parks to be arrested or let off with a warning, he insisted on arrest. Rosa Parks was arrested and fined $14 or disobeying the segregation laws, which would be the equivalent of about $100 today. This led to an organized boycott of city buses by blacks, which made up 70% of the riders. The boycott continued for 381 days, until Dec. 20, 1956, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision declaring Montgomery's segregated seating unconstitutional. In the mean time the Montgomery buses lost thousands of dollars and would have been forced to change the rules anyway.

Rosa Parks did not know that she was making history, nor did she intend to do so. She simply knew that she was tired after a long day's work and did not want to move. Because she was so determined, America was changed forever. Segregation was on its way out.

Being "the mother of the civil rights movement" was not an easy role for her. Threats and constant phone calls she received during the boycott caused her husband to have a nervous breakdown, and in 1957 they moved to Detroit where her brother, Sylvester lived. There Parks continued her work as a seamstress, but she had become a public figure and was often sought out to give talks about civil rights. Over the years, Parks has received several honorary degrees, and in 1965 Congressman John Conyers of Detroit appointed her to his staff. Rosa's husband died in 1977, but she has continued to work for the greater good of the black community.

She is very eager to help the kids of America, and in 1987 she established the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development, a training school for Detroit teenagers. Despite her efforts for peace, on August 30, 1994, the nation was bewildered to learn that the 81 year old Rosa Parks had been assaulted in her home. Joseph Skipper, an unemployed African American, broke into her home, hit her repeatedly, and stole $53 from her. "I pray for this young man and the conditions in our country that have made him this way. Despite the violence and crime in our society, we should not let fear overwhelm us. We must remain strong".

Ms. Parks still lives to day and in her spare time has written an inspiring novel. "I'd like for [readers] to know that I had a very spiritual background and that I believe in church and my faith and that has helped to give me the strength and courage to live as I did". -- Mrs. Rosa Parks --