Allow me to expand on David Lawrence's column "A subtle hero remembered." As a college student witnessing history in the making with Rosa Parks' recent passing, I find it imperative that the true story behind Rosa Parks and her actions is not forgotten or glossed over, as has been the case with so many other social icons.
Rosa Parks is portrayed in most media outlets as an average woman who was just "tired." The common story is that Parks was sick of the injustice and committed a small act of defiance that happened to spark a nationwide movement. This, however, is not the whole story. Rosa Parks knew exactly what she was doing. She had attended workshops and conferences dealing with non-violent protest prior to the bus "incident," and she had been an active member in the local NAACP for over 10 years prior to that 1955 day.
A bus boycott was already being planned by civil rights groups, and she knew that she had to be the one to initiate it. Not only did she instigate change in that isolated event, but she also continued working for civil rights long after the buses were de-segregated. In fact, as recently as 10 years ago, she still felt, "we still have a long way to go in improving the race relations in this country." It's important to remember Parks as a well-informed citizen that saw change as not only possible, but completely necessary. She knew that by playing what seemed like a small part, huge change would result. This is why people need to know the whole story - we shouldn't wait until we are "sick of an injustice," we should realize that action should be taken now, however small that action may be.
In our not-yet-perfect country, everyone should strive to have a little Rosa Parks in them; a piece of them that realizes change is possible and that they can be the ones to do it. Hopefully, in this crucial time of remembrance and honoring, the American public will not allow Rosa Parks' story to be altered or distorted over time, and instead demand that the whole truth is made into common knowledge. And may Rosa continue to inspire people to initiate change.
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