Rosa+Louise+Mccauely+Parks

“Human dignity must be respected at all times” (Golphin). I believe that Rosa Park has a point because everybody should be honored with respect at all times no matter what. Rosa Parks compromised her dignity by refusing to give up her seat, if she did give up her seat the mistreatment of racism would have continued. She compromised her dignity by not resisting violently when they told her to give up her seat to a white man. All Rosa Parks wanted was to be treated with some respect like the others (Painter). Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee Alabama. Her parents, James and Leona Edwards McCauley were members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She studied in a small schoolhouse in Pine level, Alabama until she was eleven years old then she finished her rest of her studies at a private school for girls in Montgomery, Alabama. Unfortunately her studies were cut short because she needed to take care of her mother and grandmother. On December 18, 1932 Rosa married Raymond Parks an active member of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (Golphin). Rosa Parks died at the age 92, on October 24, 2005 (Painter). She was an African American Civil Rights Activist, she was known as the Mother of the Civil Rights (Golphin). After her death she was the first woman to lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda. She was also the first black woman to have a statue in her likeness in the National Statuary Hall of the Capitol (Painter). Rosa was a very respectful woman, but because of her race she was denied the respect of people (Golphin). On December 1, 1955 Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. She was just fed up of segregation and the disrespectful and unfair treatment of black people that she didn’t care if she got arrested. She would consistently speak of her race and for human rights and dignity in public (Harper). She was only forty-two years old when she got arrested for disobeying the law of segregation. However Parks was not the first person to resist bus segregation, others had done similar steps before her (Rosenberg). Rosa Parks was a very brave and inspiring woman because she refuses to give up her seat even if she knew there were consequences. She stood up for what she believed in, she wanted to fight for black peoples rights. This woman was a true leader who had a long lasting life she won the respect of many people. Parks helped spark the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s (Rosenberg). Parks act of defiance help change the world. Rosa Parks was a strong independent full of pride kind of woman; she did not feel like she needed to be treated differently because of her race (Rosenberg). She was a very brave woman, brave enough to defend herself when she refused to give up her seat to a white man (Golphin). Even if she knew there would be some bad consequences for refusing to give up her seat, but she was willing to be arrested because she was fed up with being mistreated (Rosenberg). That is how she became an icon of victory in the nations struggle against racism. She was also called the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement because if it was not for her there would still be racism in the world (Golphin).
 * Introduction**
 * Personal Background**
 * Personality Traits**

Parks was a very determined woman standing up for what she believed in which were her rights (Rosenberg). She was a caring person especially to Montgomery because she wanted the liberty and freedom for all people. Rosa was a hard working woman she did so many things like focus on social economic issues and how to make it better (Theoharis). She was a confident speaker; she liked to speak about the vision of equality and human dignity (Golphin). Rosa was really active with her work she loved being a member in the civil rights organizations (Harper).

Rosa Parks was a true hero her actions brought many changes to the world. Parks was such a strong woman and an inspiration to many people in the world (Rosenberg). In my opinion I think people should always stand up for what they believe in no matter what just like Rosa Parks did. She was not just an ordinary person she was a highly spiritual woman of character and very commitment (Harper). Parks stands for the triumph of freedom because our nation was transformed by her refusal to give up her seat (Painter).

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks had to overcome a lot of obstacles in her life as a result of her defiance to segregated bus seating (Harper). Her arrest caused her to lose her job and brought harsh threats to her life. Parks and her husband suffered the usual punishments for black protest, like hate calls, death threats, and lose of employment (Painter). She had to face getting arrested when she was only forty-two years old, however she was willing to get arrested because she was just tired of giving in. Parks had to suffer by being punished by going to jail for violating segregation laws.
 * Obstacles**

Another obstacle that she overcame was facing segregation and racism in her daily life (Harper). As she had to face being raised in Alabama, which is a state known for their harsh segregation laws (Rosenberg). Rosa had to encounter being black, she was mistreated by white people like most African Americans at that time. Because of her race she suffered much dislike like being denied the respect from most people (Golphin). For 381 days she had to face city intransigence, and police harassment.

Rosa Parks had to work tirelessly to maintain the Montgomery boycott on December 20, 1956. Even eight months after the Montgomery boycott ended she was still struggling to find work and she still had to face death threats (Theoharis). Parks didn’t have as many rights as other people because of her race (Golphin). I think Rosa parks biggest obstacle in her life was the way that she was treated because of her skin color. She had a very rough life she had to face many obstacles, but she managed to overcome all her challenges in her life.

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks made huge advancements to the equal rights movement. She brought many people to a better understanding of why segregation was wrong (Harper). Rosa became a nationally recognized symbol of dignity and strength in the struggle to end racial segregation. Parks is the top ten most famous African Americans in history because of her braveness (Rosenberg). She represented the best of southern hood clamoring for their rights.
 * Historical Significance**

Rosa Parks was most famous for her refusal to give up her seat to a white man. The nation was forever transformed by her refusal, it helped initiate the Civil Rights Movement in the United Sates (Painter). Her seat sparked the beginning of the Modern Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and the 1960s. That is how she became known as the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. She was given the nickname after standing up to the racial and social injustices (Rosenberg). Parks actions and subsequent arrest inspired a 381- day Montgomery bus boycott (Painter). Her arrest also turned action into a movement along time National Association for advancements of colored people (Theoharis).

Parks was recognized as an inspiration and a leader to many people in the world. She sacrificed herself in order to get what she wanted, because she wanted some respect. Her arrest also led to campaigns, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the voting rights act of 1965 (Painter). Rosa’s bid for respect and freedom put justice and equality within reach of all Americans (Golphin). I think she was the type of person who was concern about others freedom and equality not just about hers.

Rosa Parks was also recognized as a national hero who stood up against racism and fought for her freedom. She had the courage and bravery to take action that she was even presented with many awards for what she did. Her role in the Civil Rights Movement has been really significant, she influence many African Americans to stand up for what is right (Rosenberg). By her actions she managed to become a national icon of the Civil Rights and African American pride (Theoharis). The choice she made not only changed her life, but it also changed the course of a nation (Golphin). I think one person can make a huge difference in the world just like Rosa Parks did, by just standing up for your rights. She was able to accomplish so many amazing things in the world that will always be remembered. Rosa made such an impact to society she will always be remembered in American History (Painter).

Golphin, F.A. ,Vincent. Faith, Hope, and a Heart that Changed a Nation." //about...time Magazine//. 31 Mar. 1995: PG. //eLibrary//. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. **SE#6** Harper, Federick D . Editor's Comment: Rosa Parks and Our Challenge for the Future." //Journal of Negro Education// 4(2005):295. //eLibrary//. Web. 18 Sep. 2014. **SE#1** Painter, Nell , Irvinnew. "Mother of the Movement." //New York Times Book Review//. 31 Mar. 2013: 18. //eLibrary//. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. **SE#4** Rosenberg, Jennifer. Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Her Bus Seat. 20th Century History Expert. New york .Web.17 Oct. 2014. **SE#3** Theoharis, Jeanne. ''The northern promised land that wasn't": Rosa Parks and the Black Freedom Struggle in Detroit." //Magazine of History// 1(2012):23. //eLibrary//. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. **SE#5**
 * Reference**