Rosa Parks, a symbol for the civil rights movement in America died last week at the age of 92. As much as any founding father or famous pioneer, Rosa Parks was an American hero, loaded with the pioneering spirit that defines many people in our country. She sought something better, to make others' lives better. Her story is the stuff of legend.
She lies in honor in the capitol rotunda. She's only the second civilian and the first woman to be placed there. She'll be laid to rest this week. I doubt she would've expected the grand spectacle surrounding her passing but I hope she would be proud.
like so many other in history, when the time came for her to make a difference, to take a stand she did. It was at some cost to herself and she put her own safety and that of her family at some risk, just by continuing to sit in a bus seat. Something so mundane leading to something so extraordinary boggles the mind.
The world today lacks heroes. We used to look to our presidents, astronauts, sports figures. These days, many are wrapped up in scandals, hung up on money and general don't care. Parks is a hero for the ages. She lies in the rotunda like so many other figures in American history. The last was Ronald Reagan.
When one takes measure of individuals to judge their quality, many characteristics comes to mind. Courage in the face of danger, fighting despite the odds, adhering to a code of righteous honor when others tell you not too. Parks was a person of the highest quality. I wish I could've met her. I believe I would've been better for it.
.. The saddest part was, how many of those Politicos filing past her would have had her dragged into an alley and beaten for 'Gettin' Uppity' at the time she took her stand.
ReplyDeleteRecently I read a rather interesting blog post by a young black man, who commented that Modern Black America lacks anyone really in tune with Black Society. Being Scotts-American I'm hardly in a good position to Judge, but it does seem that there are far t0o few black leaders that don't look suspiciously like the fabled Oreo. Dr. King, we lost much when we lost you. I'd even be willing to settle for Malcom X, these days. He at least had a message that wasn't pure rhetoric of "Send me money, Elect me to office'