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DECEMBER 1, 2010
55 Years!
Google has informed me that today is the 55th anniversary of Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, AL. She was 42 at the time. Starting with that event, Ms. Parks has come to be known as “the first lady of civil rights.” Though most people do not know it, she was NOT the first women to refuse to give up her seat in the Montgomery bus system and others across the nation. In fact, 15-year old Claudette Colvin refused to move on the same bus system nine months before Parks. However, in the time period after her arrest for this act, the unmarried woman became pregnant and local activists had concerns that she would not project the right image. As a result, Ms. Parks’ name is famous, as it was her refusal that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
I feel pretty strongly that both these courageous women should be remembered and remain in our minds. I am reminded that the world can change from the smallest acts and the most unexpected places. The summer before last I toured the historic spots of the Civil Rights movement in the South. It was a very illustrative and moving trip. There is something different about being in the location then simply reading about or seeing a movie. I will never forget Selma, AL or the long drive between it and Montgomery. Even with signs of modernity, it was a place from the past. While there is no denying times have changed, in 2009 I still saw and felt that the nation has a long way to go. In some ways, 55 years IS a long time, in others though it is merely a blink of an eye and not even a lifetime. If you'd like to learn more about Rosa Parks or the Civil Rights movement, stop by the Library and check out a book! We have materials for all ages! |
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