It may not be Black History Month but today marks a moment in time that completely changed the face of America and set in motion the demolishing of an unfair social system known as segregation. Back in the 50s segregation was still rearing its ugly head until key black figures began to emerge in order to silence its influence once and for all. One such personage was a young woman by the name of Rosa Parks.
On this day 60 years ago, 26 year old Parks was riding a crowded bus and refused to give up her seat. In those days any person of color was required to give up their seat to a non-black individual if the white section had filled up. Since Rosa resisted the bus driver’s proddings and order to give up her seat Parks was arrested. Parks then joined a growing list of of blacks who were refusing to give up their seats to white passengers. A few noted individuals for their acts of bravery in this regard would be: Irene Morgan, Sarah Louise Keys, Bayard Rustin and Claudette Colvin as well as Aurelia Browder who were part of the infamous Browder vs. Gayle lawsuit.
After Parks arrest, she was ordered to pay a fine and faced a brief time in jail. However, behind the scenes the NAACP were hard at work to shake this issue at its very core. The NAACP felt that Rosa Parks would be the perfect candidate to win the battle against segregation. They began working with Parks along with other local leaders such as Martin Luther King to stage boycotts of passenger buses even on the day Parks went to court.
To really make a point these local leaders kept expanding until the MIA (Montgomery Improvement Association) was formed. The MIA soon made plans for one big extended boycott of passenger buses. What was the result of their efforts?
Due to the fact that 75% of those taking public transportation in Montgomery were black the boycott crippled the revenues of the bus line. Moreover, the boycott lasted a little over a year showing the true unification of the black community and their strong desire to bring about change. However, success did not come without growing pains. MLK faced having his home attacked while Parks lost her livelihood being let go from her place of employment.
Nevertheless, change was on the horizon yet it would not come from Rosa Parks’ court case. The lawsuit of Browder vs. Gayle would prove to be the key to ushering in a new social order in America. The Supreme Court on November 13, 1956 ruled that segregation on buses was illegal because due to the 14th amendment it deprived blacks of equal protection.
Thanks to the courage of Parks and the entire black community of the fifties banding together segregation came to an end. These accounts show that there is strength in numbers and that true change can come about in a peaceful manner without one shot or riot. Taking a stand for what is right is not a crime, but is an inspiration for all those who can understand without bias. The battle for equal rights was won due to the belief that blacks are intelligent, equal members of society that can work together in order to bring about positive results. A house divided cannot stand, but one that is well-built and standing strong can withstand any and all storms. Thank you Rosa for taking a stand and making life much brighter for all future generations.
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