Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Moment
December 1st marks a very important day in American history. It is when one defiant woman catalysed a series of events that would progress the civil rights movement. But, who are we talking about? None other than Rosa Parks, of course. In today’s blog, we’ll account her involvement in the Montgomery bus boycott. And, explore the legacy she left behind.
Who is Rosa Parks?
Rosa Parks came into the world on February 4, 1913, in Alabama. As a child she attended the Africa Methodist Episcopal Church — a century-old independent black denomination. Parks was set to attend the the segregated laboratory school, but had to drop out in order to care for her sick family.
Already in her short life, she bared witness to the racist legislation of Jim Crow laws. Thus, being privy to the separation of black and white seating, education, restrooms, etc. One such example she recalled was having to walk to school everyday while white children rode the bus.
Becoming an Adult
Rosa married Raymond Park in 1932. He was a barber by trade. With her husband’s urging, Rosa finished her high school studies at a time when fewer than 7% of African Americans had a high-school diploma. Additionally, Raymond was a member of the National Association of the Advancement of Coloured People. By 1943, he would be joined by his wife.
During her time in the organisation, Rosa Parks acted as the secretary. But, most importantly, she work as a women’s rights activist and sought justice for wronged Black women. From here, she worked at the Maxwell Air Force Base and, notably, as a housekeeper for political liberals Clifford and Virginia Durr. Eventually, they encouraged Rosa to attend the Highlander Folk School in 1955.
Despite the Jim Crow laws, Rosa Parks successful registered to vote in 1945 on her third try.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1900, Montgomery passed a city ordinance to segregate bus passengers by race. Over time, bus drivers adopted the practice of requiring black riders to move when there were no white only seats. This did not align with the law that no passenger would be required to give up their seat and stand if the bus was crowded.
Generally, buses had “coloured” sections at the rear section despite African Americans composing more than 75% of the ridership. A moveable sigh marked this separation. Additionally, city rules stated that a Black person had to pay at the front and then re-enter again from the back door. In 1943, Rosa Parks was told to do this by driver James F. Blake who promptly drove off without her.
Later, another moment with this very same bus driver would help shape the civil rights movement.
Around 6pm, Thursday December 1st 1955, Parks paid her far and sat in the first row of back seats reserved for Black people. As the bus filled to capacity, the “coloured” section sign moved behind her and the current seat patrons demanded to move. Everyone but Rosa did. And so, Blake called the police and she was arrested. Her friend Clifford Durr and NAACP chapter president Edgar Nixon bailed her out of jail that evening.
Her Legacy
Rosa Parks was not the first to protest bus segregation with a bus sit-in. But, the NAACP believed her to be the best candidate for seeing thought a court challenge. Eventually, it would lead to the lawsuit in 1956 deciding that bus segregation is unconstitutional.
Parks’ act of defiance led to her becoming an icon of resistance. Unfortunately, it also came with a firing from her job and the receiving of death threats for years afterwards. This did not deter her, for the rest of her life she continued to struggle and fight for justice.
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