Thank You Sister Rosa

Everything as been Rosa Parks here since her death. A Detroit resident since the 50s, she was a local hero as well as a national icon. I bought a series of Successories-like posters at the National Civil Rights Musuem a few years ago on a visit to Memphis-the one featuring her has the famous bus photo with the word COURAGE underneath. Even cooler, when my parents were in town once we went to the Henry Ford Musuem where the actual Cleveland Avenue bus is-you can get on and sit in the famous seat and everything. American history up close and personal. The bus is covered with black crepe now.

I've read many books on the subject, some of which debunk the archetypal story of a tired maid who refused to give up her seat. Parks was an activist with the local NAACP chapter so there has always been speculation that she was a plant-a tipping point needed to galvanize the troops for a long bus strike seige. For some, that lessens the story but not for me. Just like the Bible doesn't have to be completely factually true to have meaning for me, neither does this. In my book it would actually take more courage to do what she did if it was preplanned-then you'd have to think about being brave. It was a dangerous, gutsy thing to do regardless.

So in words of the Neville Brothers song (why hasn't that been used in any montages yet?)
"thank you Sister Rosa".


For another perspective on Rosa Parks check out the new blog clarioncalled.blogspot.com.