Rosa Parks has gotten more public recognition for less actual accomplishment than any person now living. She could stand to be just a little bit humble.
Rosa Parks really tries my patience. She's been set up as the greatest person in America, an untouchable icon. She's probably the number one living person about whom even almost joking is unacceptable. Indeed, she insists on this point. Negro, puh-lease. In this country, no one is sacrosanct. We're all equal, remember?…
Article comments
126 - yuliya
oh, so your saying dr king is not important? tell me one thing phillip, did he not do more than Rosa Parks? did he? yah, thats what I thought. I'm not putting Rosa down, I think she did alot for the black nation, but she got more than she deserved. I'm not saying it's her fault again, but she really did. any way how old are you? and you know so much about rosa. well I don't give a #*%! about Rosa. I'm just doing a stupid assignment. It sucks ass!
127 - yuliya
you know what... I just went to her website and read her whole life story. She actually did do a whole lotta good to the black folks. And that "southern man" is a bitch for standing up for that bitch of a white man. who gives a shit if he was tired. Why, in Russia(thats where i'm from) the man ALWAYS gave up his seat to a lady. don't matter how tired he is, he still gave the seat up. you know what that's called? Respect. That is what most people in this world lack.
128 - Silas Kain
Oy, such a hornet's nest here. I think you missed Mr. Winn's message in its entirety but I'll leave that up to him as to whether he will pursue it. Insofar as Rosa Parks is concerned, her single, defiant act set in motion a process that was long overdue. You see, yuliya, on the surface she was just one person; but, one person can do so much as to impact the world. Rosa Parks set in motion the rise of Dr. King and other great leaders of the civil rights movement. She did for blacks what Susan B. Anthony did for women.
We're spoiled today. We've forgotten that women's sufferage and civil rights are fairly new. Women haven't even had the right to vote for 100 years and there are countries today where women can't vote or even possess a driver's license. The Civil Rights Act became law only 41 years ago. And, finally, it was only 1969 when gays fought back against the oppression of the NY Police Dept. We still have a long way to go and what Rosa Parks did that fateful day had a monumental impact upon societies around the globe.
129 - Silas Kain
Respect. That is what most people in this world lack.
That's why random acts of kindness are so important. It may sound silly but the person next to you could be suffering far worse than you think. If we learned to be kinder to one another we'd build on getting respect back into the public consciousness.
130 - Matthew T. Sussman
I respect Silas and his island sheep fantasy.
131 - yuliya
eta vso govno! ok, did I say that she was just a black person that got attention that she did'nt deserve?! ok I did. but so what? I said I changed my opinion. Man, thats booty. So every 1 is gonna go against me now? ok go ahead. but what I am trying to say, is that she was a great person. are you not agreeing with me?
132 - yuliya
and matthew #130, what do sheep gotta do with Rosa Parks?! Damb you gotta get your story straight. if you wanna talk about sheep, go to www.Sheepislandfantasy.com
got that straight?
I ain't trying to be rude or nothing, but talk about Rosa Parks here, -k-
133 - yuliya
oh, and I don't even wanna talk about gays. I think thay are nerve-racking [Deleted]. (I apolagize if you are one. That is just how I think.)
[Think? Comments Editor]
134 - Kie'Ra
I think she is a wonderful person and you haters are just mad because she was reconized for something and you guys aren't. As the saying goes "Don't hate the playa, hate the game" and that's what you haters need to learn how to do.
135 - Abbie
I'm doing a report for my English class about Rosa Parks and I think that anyone who doesn't respect a woman who could merely sit and yet change the country for doing so is stupid. Think about it...who else has the ability to do someting simple and change everything? All of you who do not respect what she did need to read about how horrible African Americans were treated during her time and THEN maybe you will understand her great accomplishment.
136 - Al Barger
Dear Abbie, you need to climb down off your little high horse and actually READ WHAT I WROTE. Basically, you're taking the view that Rosa Parks is a holy icon above criticism or reproach, and that anyone who would criticize anything she ever did is "stupid." That is wrong. She was but a human being like the rest of us.
At this point, even I would say that I was way too harsh on an old woman who perhaps wasn't in the driver's seat making the actions that I criticized in this article. Still, there's a legitimate point under this. I'd have said the same things about ANYONE doing the things I'm talking about here.
Or perhaps you think that some people should not be judged by the same standards as others. Is that your position?
In short, I suggest that you actually think through what I'm saying rather than simply reacting in a knee-jerk fashion.
137 - Scott Butki
Al, you're doing exactly what you're accusing Abbie of doing, namely not reading carefully what was written.
She asked why you would not 'respect" Rosa and said those without respect for her are "stupid."
That is a far cry from the words you stuck in her mouth:
"Basically, you're taking the view that Rosa Parks is a holy icon above criticism or reproach, and that anyone who would criticize anything she ever did is "stupid." That is wrong. She was but a human being like the rest of us."
138 - Al Barger
I don't think so, Scott- unless I was mistaken in taking it that her comments were addressed to me in the first place. If so, I'll apologize.
I'll note also that the only word I ascribe to her is "stupid" which was her word.
139 - Scott Butki
Thanks for the clarification, Al.
140 - Al Barger
You're welcome, Mr Butki sir.
141 - Scott Butki
You can call me Scott.
And I can call you Al.
Hey, there's a song that goes something like that.:)
142 - tom
Rosa: I know you are in a better place now, where you are eating watermelon and listening to 50 cent.
143 - gewl'e
you know what i think rosa parks is a great role model and knows so much about alot of things.p.s.ricky you are so hot.ily!!
144 - lacenta
dear barber shop,
I LUV THE MOVIE.oh my gosh ricky you are such a good acter.in fact all of you guys are.and you know what either you are really good at acting or ur just....
i dont no but ur great.you rock my sock.
145 - Alisha
those who are on here to degrade mrs parks are haters im 16 years old and i have enough class and respect to not call her the b word or anyting but i bet that most of you all are 20 and older and all of you lack the respect that any human being deserves because of your jealousy and to me that's sad.
146 - Alisha (same alisha above)
Oh and then this site has the nerve to say "personal attacks are NOT allowed" if that isn't bias i dont know what is all of you "adults" should be ashamed of yourselves, especially those who used foul language on their comments, do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
147 - Dr Dreadful
Alisha, the personal attack policy on BC refers to other commenters. The late Rosa Parks is (or rather was) a public figure and it is in this capacity that Mr Barger and the above commenters were criticizing her.
To use a very mild illustration, if I were to write here that President Bush is an idiot, that would be political criticism, albeit very crude. If I were to call you an idiot, however, that would be a personal attack and would be frowned upon by the editors.
148 - sr
Doc, let's put this to the test. YOU ARE AN IDIOT.
149 - Al Barger
Miss Alisha, I can understand you being a bit defensive about Rosa Parks. It's totally cool if you're critical of me. However, note that I did not "degrade" her, villify or de-humanize her. I was probably a little overly harsh in the last paragraph of the original story, but at all times I have tried to judge her fair and square just as I would any other peer among us as free citizens.
That's true equality.
Thanks for commenting on my story.
**********************
Now SR, Dr Dreadful may be an idiot - but he's OUR idiot, thank you very much. Who's idiot are you?
150 - Dr Dreadful
sr: you're talking to the mirror again.
Al: 'idiot' is the infinitive form of the Russian verb 'to go'. Now why don't you and sr idiot and stick your heads in a beehive.
(I kind of like testing the comments policy, it's fun. Ah, right on schedule, here comes Christopher with the castrating shears...)
;-)
151 - Al Barger
Dr Dreadful knows Russian words? Ann Coulter says I should ask, Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party?
152 - Dr Dreadful
And you go tell Ms "Adam's Apple The Size Of A Cathedral" Coulter she can idiot stick her head somewhere far nastier than a beehive... oh wait, it's already there.
153 - sr
Doc please try to be respectful of my wife Ann. Thanks, sr
154 - Dr Dreadful
Married to it? Damn... pin a medal on that man.
155 - Al Barger
SR, I will fight you for Miss Ann's honor.
156 - Bob
I think Rosa Parks was a hero she should be on the 15 dollar bill.
157 - Henry
I think so too Bob!
158 - ur face.
"MS. TEK"
GROW SOME RESPECT. ENOUGH SAID.
159 - ms.tek
well, should i start of by sayig [personal attack deleted] u people r nobody to say wats wrong or right [personal attack deleted] because ur not all that either so hum-please........... [personal attack deleted] wat ifu were rosa parks would u like all these bitches gainting up on u because u tood up 4 ur self ROSA PARKS IS THE BEST PERSON EVER BECAUSE SHE IS SMART
160 - Al Barger
Dear Angry Black Man- I of course categorically reject your implication that I have any need to apologize for any racial wrongs. I also reject your implication that YOU would somehow be owed any such apology by anyone.
However, if you want to make friends, I live in Franklin County in Indiana. Drop me a note when you're coming, and I'll get you directions and bake you a cake - show you some of our famous Hoosier hospitality.
Cheers.
161 - Ashely
Bitch
162 - Taylor
get over yourself
163 - PO
I agree with the writer of this article. Rosa Parks should be recognized but not honored like Claudette Colvin. She was the true pioneer. She paved the way for Ms. Parks and Mr. King. I am so glad that I was able to learn this piece of history. Please read the book Claudette Colvin--Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose.