DETROIT (AP) — Latoya Smiley was driving a bus in Detroit when a passenger told her Rosa Parks had died.
Upon hearing the news, she invited her riders to sit at the front of the bus.
Smiley, 27, was one of many Detroiters remembering Parks after the civil rights pioneer died Monday.
I could cry. I hate it when amazing, dedicated and inspirational people die.
Detroit-area residents remember Rosa Parks’ legacy
Guardian: Rosa Parks Dies Aged 92
It’s the same feeling I got when Katharine Hepburn died. It seemed she would live forever!
At least you know her legacy will stay with us. :o)
Hugs
During the 90s, I spent some time as Treasurer of a local NAACP Branch in Iowa. One of the more fascinating things I learned during that period was the “true” or “secret” story of Mrs Parks and her famous bus ride. She is almost universally portrayed as some simple, anonymous black woman whose feet hurt and who was simply too tired to move to the back of the bus one day - so she spontaneously decided “not to take it anymore,” thus suddenly inspiring millions to action. In fact, however, she had been a political activist for many years (had worked on the Scottsboro Boys’ case during the 30s, e.g.) and was Secretary of the Montgomery Branch of the NAACP at the time of her arrest. The whole incident was a very carefully calculated act of civil disobedience engineered by the Executive Board of the NAACP and their allies to initiate a previously determined boycott of the Montgomery bus system. Another local group, the Women’s Political Council, for example, distributed 52,000 fliers calling for the boycott within 24 hours of her arrest.
Diehard rightwingers, of course, will tell you this is proof of the fact all such political activities are part of a vast, left-wing conspiracy to subvert the existing order of things. More sober experience, perhaps, will observe that spontaneity and successful politics simply do not mix - no matter what your political convictions.
Marshall, that was really inspiring! Thanks for sharing it.
My pleasure, Alby. I do believe that is the greatest part of her legacy: the example of having dedicated her whole life to advancing a noble cause, not just having committed one particular random brave act one day that everybody celebrates.
That’s what I saw as most interesting in the Guardian’s article: she was portrayed as a woman of cause and courage but not necessarily a leader.
What makes me feel most humble and small are the details of her awards and medals; her 1996 Presidential Medal of Freedom and her 1999 Congressional Gold Medal, the ‘highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions’.
It’s humbling because the nation, and the world, acknowledges her contribution to the development of the nation and of the national psyche. Such people are leaders for millions around the world because they’re just normal people doing astonishingly brave and extraordinary things. It makes me proud that our leaders recognise her worth and honoured status.
Just let us make sure that the freedoms that Rosa Parkes, and others in all parts of the globe, fought for over the past century, don’t get eroded by current governments. We can all do our bit.
Are you thinking of something in particular? ID cards or anti-terror laws?
I know what you mean though, because by honouring people like Parks we recognize how important their contribution has been. By remembering her we establish her power, a lasting tribute.