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Amelia Rush

Mrs. Sides

Studies in Literature and Communications

13 December 2023

Rosa Parks

Showing bravery in the face of discrimination is a daring act. Rosa Parks is known for

her courage by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. This act of defiance lit the spark

that would eventually lead to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. However, Rosa Parks did not stop

there, she continually made sacrifices so she could pursue the fight for civil rights. Rosa Parks

should be remembered today for her acts of courage and selflessness which helped many acquire

bravery throughout their struggle for civil rights.

Rosa Parks’ actions inspired many to boycott against the Montgomery Bus system. Rosa

Parks gave black citizens in Montgomery a chance to express their pique about civil rights, “Her

actions inspired the leaders of the local black community to organize the Montgomery Bus

Boycott,” (“Rosa Parks: Bus Boycott, Civil Rights and Facts”). Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up

her seat led to many opportunities for the black community. Her actions were one of the first

major stepping stones that led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Rosa Parks’ courage should be

noted for it helped black citizens fight against racial discrimination. Rosa Parks’ bravery to stand

for her rights encouraged many others to fight back.

Rosa Parks helped others find the valor to stand up for their civil rights. Rosa knew she

must inspire the black citizens to fight, “Many people do not want to change, which is why it was

so important for us to at least get the laws changed so we would have some protection” (Hoe).

People are often afraid of change and its results. Rosa Parks was aware that she needed to take
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action. Rosa Parks had to motivate most of the black community to make change. Rosa Parks’

efforts should be recalled for helping the black community in Montgomery gain civil rights. She

helped give courage to citizens and she volunteered her time by helping many civil rights

organizations (Hoe).

Rosa Parks was one of the leaders for the civil rights movement. Her courage helped

contribute to the fight, “Parks’ protest made her the public face of what later became known as

the Montgomery Bus Boycott,” (McEvoy). Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat gave the

leaders of the black community in Montgomery an opportunity to prove a point. Rosa Parks

brought attention to the discrimination that was happening within the bus system, specifically on

public transportation. Rosa Parks helped lead the black community through the civil rights

movement, which is a memorable deed. Parks was helping guide her community, but her own

safety was also at risk.

Rosa Parks and her family were in ceaseless danger but that did not stop her from

fighting. Rosa Parks was at risk when fighting against discrimination, “Facing continued

harassment and threats in the face of the boycott, Parks, along with her husband and mom…”

(“Rosa Parks: Bus Boycott, Civil Rights and Facts”). Despite the continual stress and worry for

herself and her family's safety, Rosa kept fighting for black’s rights. Rosa Parks and her loved

ones were constantly being vexed throughout the civil rights movement. Parks was altruistic and

never concerned for her own safety; she just wanted civil rights for herself and the community

surrounding her. Selflessness like Rosa Parks’ should be looked back upon for it takes

temperance in order to put others before yourself and your loved ones. Rosa Parks was never

worried about herself, and she never considered avoiding her problems.
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Rosa Parks wasn’t tempted to move to a place where black communities had equal rights

with the white percentage of the population. Parks wanted to help her community, so she stayed

in Montgomery even though, “…her husband and mother, eventually decided to move to Detroit,

where her husband’s mother resided...” (“Rosa Parks: Bus Boycott, Civil Rights and Facts”).

Rosa Parks stayed to help her fellow black citizens in Montgomery instead of moving with her

family. Rosa Parks was dedicated to helping the black community get through the struggle of

racial discrimination. She should be rewarded and recognized for the commitment she had

towards her society. Rosa Parks was dedicated her whole life, from when she refused to give up

her seat until after she retired (“Rosa Parks: Bus Boycott, Civil Rights and Facts”).

Rosa Parks never quit. Even once she grew old, Parks continued to help with the fight for

civil rights. Rosa Parks never gave up her passion for civil rights, “In her year following her

retirement, she traveled to lend her support to civil rights events and causes and wrote an

autobiography…” (“Rosa Parks: Bus Boycott, Civil Rights and Facts”). Rosa Parks wrote a book

about the struggles in her life and never stopped attending events fighting for equal rights for all

races. Rosa Parks pursued the struggle against racial discrimination until she grew old. Her

dedication to the cause she was fighting for should be noted. Rosa Parks never stopped fighting

even if she was gaining age or her family was struggling.

Rosa Parks volunteered her time for the civil rights movement even though her family

was barely scraping by. Rosa Parks was always busy, “Even while volunteering for the NAACP,

Rosa continued to earn a living… she and her family barely managed to scrape by on this small

amount of money,” (Ashby, 44). Parks volunteered while working a low-wage job to support her

family. Rosa Parks supported her family while also volunteering her time to help fight racial

discrimination. Rosa Parks lived a busy life where she juggled supporting her family and helping
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the civil rights movement. Rosa was a dedicated and committed woman who should still be

remembered to this day and into the future. Rosa Parks continually fought for civil rights,

whereas the white population refused to help them at all (Ashby).

Rosa Parks and the other black people in the community just wanted small change, but

the white percentage of the population were unwilling to give it to them. The leaders of the

Montgomery Bus Boycott were giving the bus companies an easy way out, “The Montgomery

Bus Boycott’s demands were few and simple but proved impossible for the city’s white

commissioners to meet,” (Reyburn, 33). The leaders requested that the bus drivers use civil

behaviors, first come first serve seating policy and that they hire African American drivers. The

white citizens were extremely reluctant to give the black population any of their requests. Even

though the white population was being stubborn, Rosa Parks and other civil rights activists

continued to fight against racial discrimination. Rosa Parks and the leaders surrounding her made

a big impact on the Montgomery community. Rosa Parks wanted to gain some civil rights for

blacks, but the white people were not willing to meet their requests so they continually made

more sacrifices in order to keep fighting (Reyburn).

Rosa Parks and many other blacks in the community gave up a lot in order to successfully

boycott against the bus system. The sacrifices they made proved a point to the bus companies,

“Although, it cost more than $300 each day in gas and oil to keep the boycott running, it cost the

bus company $3,000 each day in lost ridership,” (Reyburn, 33). The black percentage of the

population made a sacrifice (of money) by not riding the buses, but the bus companies suffered

more because of their loss in business. The black community was willing to give up anything as

long as it meant racial discrimination would eventually end. Rosa Parks selflessly helped many
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even when she was losing opportunities which is an honor worthy decision. Rosa Parks had to

give up a lot and stay strong even though she was sent death threats by many (Reyburn).

Rosa Parks received many death threats but that did not stop her from fighting. Rosa

stayed strong and continued to fight even though, “…Parks was on the receiving end of continual

death threats on the phone and hate letters in the mail,” (Reyburn, 33). Rosa Parks encountered

many death threat letters full of loathing. Rosa Parks was popular among the black crowd, but

many other people, specifically the white community in Montgomery didn’t like what she stood

for nor what she was doing. Even though her life was being threatened, Rosa Parks continued to

fight. Rosa Parks' act of denying the bus driver and staying in her seat, led her to being on the

receiving end of many death threats.

Rosa Parks' determination to not give up her seat led to many great opportunities. One of

these being, “…Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat to a white

passenger on a segregated bus in 1955 led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott,” (McEvoy). After a

long day of work, on her ride home, a bus driver demanded that Rosa and another passenger

stand so that a white man could sit. Rosa Parks simply refused to comply. A small act of defiance

can go a long way, especially in a civil rights movement. This uncooperative move is the main

reason Rosa Parks is well known today. Her bravery inspired many in 1955 and now. Rosa Parks

refusal to stand on the bus majorly impacted the black community in Montgomery (McEvoy).

Rosa Parks’ courage, selflessness and her fight against racial discrimination should not be

forgotten. Her bravery was a major starting point for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. But not only

that, Rosa helped others find the courage to fight for what they believed. Despite the constant

danger, Rosa never stopped fighting. Rosa Parks never ran away from the fight, instead she faced

it and fought it. She continued fighting even after she retired. Rosa’s family was struggling, so
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she provided for them while volunteering in the civil rights movement. The white percentage of

the population weren’t willing to give the black community any rights. Rosa Parks made many

sacrifices during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Many death threats and hate letters were directed

at her but they didn’t hinder her. Rosa Parks refused to give her bus seat to a white passenger

even though the bus driver told her to stand. Rosa Parks accomplished all of these achievements

which impacted the people around her and the people living today.
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Works Cited

Ashby, Ruth. Sterling Biographies(R) Rosa Parks: Courageous Citizen Sterling, 2008.

Hoe, Susan. Rosa Parks. Mason Crest Publishers, 2009.

McEvoy, Colin. “Rosa Parks: Biography, Civil Rights, Bus Boycott.”

https://www.biography.com/activists/rosa-parks. 22 Oct. 2023.

Reyburn, Susan. Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words. University of Georgia Press, 2020.

“Rosa Parks: Bus Boycott, Civil Rights and Facts.” History.com.

Www.hitory.com/topics/black-histoy/rosa-parks. 22 Oct. 2022.