Rosa Parks Research Paper

562 Words3 Pages

Wrong or right, black or white: Rosa Parks
Looked up to as the “Mother of civil rights”, Rosa Parks’ actions made a great impact in the fight to end discrimination. Rosa Parks stood up, or rather, sat down, for what she believed in. No matter the consequence, Parks knew she needed to do what she believed was right. How does the actions of one woman cause such tremendous change?
Early life
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was often sick in her younger years, so as a result, she was a small child. Her parents separated and her mother took her and her brother to Pine Level, a town adjacent to Montgomery, Alabama. There, Rosa spent the rest of her childhood on her grandparents’ farm. Unfortunately, she had to quit school to take care of her …show more content…

She was very scared and nervous, yet ready to defend herself and family. These childhood nights in Montgomery helped her to develop strong roots for her African church. In that church, she remembered learning that if anyone tries to hurt you, show love, kindness, and forgiveness. She tried to remember that saying every night when she saw the Klan. These dreadful nights helped form her into a very brave young woman able to stand up for her rights and what she believed in. “I had terror night dreams about the Klan, but if it weren’t for those nights, then I probably wouldn’t have sat down on that bus.” …show more content…

But being a black woman was even worse. Parks’ single action inspired and touched the lives of countless citizens, fellow civil rights supporters, and even upper-class white men. Many people say Rosa Parks was too tired from her long day at work, although this may be true, she was only tired of giving in to the whites. “...The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” - Rosa Parks. (ellabakercenter.org) Consequently, women were always considered “inferior” to men. Furthermore, in one of her interviews, she stated: “I want my work to end that title for women of all races.” (scholastic.com).

Works Cited
“Reflections by Rosa Parks.” Google Books, https://books.google.com/books/about/Reflections_by_Rosa_Parks.html?id=RT8oDwAAQBAJ.

“Tired of Giving In: Remembering Rosa Parks.” Ella Baker Center, ellabakercenter.org/blog/2010/10/tired-of-giving-in-remembering-rosa-parks.

“International Civil Rights: Walk of Fame.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/features/malu/feat0002/wof/Rosa_Parks.htm.

Vaipan. “Rosa Parks Interview (1995).” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Aug. 2017,